The Gardhouse Family of Cumbria
Cumbria, with its picturesque Lake District, holds the distinction of being the most northwestern county in England, flanking the border of Scotland. William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) and other poets celebrated the wild prospects of this region with its 16 major lakes and dozens of fells, or hills, more than 2000 feet high. Currently boaters, rock climbers and cyclists are drawn to Lake District National Park, one of the most popular in Britain. Although it now portrays a tranquil setting, it was a much different situation thousands of years ago as early migrants vigorously fought to establish property rights in this remote land.
In 1920 P.W. Pearson, Reeve of the Town of Newmarket, Ontario (later MPP for North York) researched the Gardhouse name: “As the County of Cumberland - and Carlisle in particular - is called the ‘Gateway to Scotland’, Carlisle has occupied an important position militarily and geographically. It has been the scene of battles, border fights and feuds commencing when the Romans occupied Carlisle in 80 A.D.
For over 1,700 years strife was rampant, and the inhabitants never knew at what moment they would be attacked and see their homes ablaze, their cattle and sheep slaughtered, and their wives and children kidnapped, wounded or slain.
In order to protect their families and their homes from destruction, the town elders selected some strong, loyal and skilled community members to form a permanent armed band which would protect the city and its inhabitants against surprise attacks by invaders. Hence the Saxon family name of “Guard the House” was given to those who formed this group. As time elapsed the word “the” was eliminated and later the letter “u” in the first word was dropped so that the name “Gardhouse” evolved into today’s spelling.
John Gardhouse (1784-1873).
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, many residents of Great Britain and Ireland were weighing their options: emigrate to countries such as Canada, Australia and the United States, or remain permanently in their own country. John Gardhouse and his family lived on a small farm near Nether Denton, Carlisle where they practised mixed farming. Cumbria's agricultural economy then consisted of sheep, beef cattle and dairy cattle, with Holstein-Friesian predominating. The fertile farm land, especially in the Eden Valley (between coastal marshes and high mountains,) boasted hundreds of acres of grain, while cattle and sheep grazed on the lush pastures.
A major decision such as this one, resulting in a big upheaval, must have required a great deal of thought. Both John (age 53) and his 49-year-old Scottish-born wife Isabella Martin Gardhouse – parents of three sons and two daughters aged five to 15 – were fast approaching middle age, and John had a slight physical disability involving lameness. In 1837, with their minds made up, John and his family bade a final farewell to their Cumbrian neighbours, and embarked on an arduous six-week voyage to Canada, setting sail from Liverpool in a primitive sailing ship.
The Gardhouses eventually settled in north Etobicoke in a village called Highfield, set amid some of the province’s best agricultural land. Other immigrants from Cumbria were also to establish roots in that area. Perhaps John Gardhouse was trying to duplicate his former surroundings as he traded his original land near today's Woodbine Race Track, for a 260-acre tract of prime land, lots 32, 33 and part of 34, concession 4, situated to the north and west of what are today's Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27.
A special feature of the property was an abundance of fresh water, as the western branch of the Humber River flowed through the eastern part of their rolling acres. Fortunately, this stream ran freely and never dried up regardless of the season, helping the family cultivate their crops. John and Isabella Gardhouse chose a coveted spot, close to the eastern border near the river, where they quickly built their first home -- a hand-hewn, two storey log house -- just in time before their first winter to set in. There was another added bonus: the large acreage was dotted with free-flowing springs, making it a natural fit for the family to import, raise and breed Shire horses, Shorthorn cattle, Leicester and Cotswold sheep, and Berkshire pigs.
The Gardhouses also figure into other aspects of Highfield history. When a local schoolhouse was constructed in 1874, the family sold an outside one-acre lot, to allow for the building of the school. A well which was dug to provide water lasted until 1940, when a new well was drilled to obtain a fresh supply. Sharon United Church was built west of the Highfield school on the Old Malton Road (now Rexdale Blvd.) Parish records show John Gardhouse as being the precentor [one who leads a church choir or congregation in singing] in 1842 because there was no church organ or piano.
Unfortunately, Isabella died a mere five years after their arrival, leaving John not only to operate his busy farm, but also to single-handedly raise the five children, now ranging in age from ten to 20 years. Despite these hardships, John continued his civic duty and was appointed the township assessor in January 1850, along with two others. Four of his five children eventually married or moved elsewhere, leaving behind only James to help his father manage the farm business, which by now was quite productive and successful.
James Gardhouse (1832-1916).
John's youngest son was energetic and suited to farm work. In 1854, 22-year old James married his neighbour, Ann Stobbart, and soon they began both a farm and their family. The Gardhouse Farm was officially passed down from father John to son James by purchase. James and Ann built an elegant, two-storey, ten room brick house and named their homestead Rosedale Farm, operating under the name of James Gardhouse & Sons.
James then expanded his Highfield property by purchasing adjoining lots from his neighbours on the east and west sides. He and his sons excelled in rearing, breeding and taking care of good livestock; their entries won awards at the Canadian National Exhibition and elsewhere in North America. James and Ann had 14 children in all, but as is usually the case with large families in the 1800s, there were also premature deaths. Sadly, two offspring died in infancy, and of the remaining 12, only five survived over thirty years.
James was a popular importer and breeder of farm livestock. His sales office was located on his Rosedale Farm, while his advertisements showed ways of contacting him by mail or in person.
By the 1870s, horses had replaced oxen on farms, and James tapped into a ready market. Horses were bred to power treadmills and to pull farm implements, delivery wagons and street railway cars. There were a great many small dairies in Toronto in the 1800s, and dairy wagons guided by horses did a brisk business transporting large containers of milk into the city, and delivering milk bottles to customers. Household moving companies and department stores such as Eaton's and Simpson’s, relied on horses to deliver their merchandise.
Some unlikely venues for heavy horse power were the frozen lakes and rivers where powerful horses were pressed into service for ice-harvesting or “winter crop” operations. Large draft horses such as Clydesdales, Percherons and Shires (which were the specialty breed of Rosedale Farm) pulled ice scraper plows essential to cutting large blocks of ice that weighed from 50 to 300 pounds each. The huge cakes of ice were hauled to shore where crews deposited them via a conveyor belt into ice house storage facilities, or waiting rail cars. An equal amount of equine strength was expended when work horses kept Toronto residential and commercial clients well-supplied with blocks of ice for their “ice wagon” deliveries. The ice industry was an important business; at one time a major ice company had over 200 horses stabled, ready to deliver ice to the city and its suburbs. [Source: Archives of Ontario (C7-3-545).]
The Gardhouse name became well known as their livestock business expanded to other locations. Various Gardhouse family members worked as experienced judges for agricultural fairs and events, on a national and international scale. Guard House Crescent, named for the family, is located west of Martin Grove Road and north of Finch Avenue. The original Gardhouse-Rosedale Farm remained in the family for over 100 years, and five generations of Gardhouses attended Highfield schools.
J.M. (“Mart”) Gardhouse (1871–1938).
Martin, the youngest son of James and Ann Gardhouse, was 16 years younger than his eldest brother John, and was named after his grandmother Isabella Martin. In 1894, after 57 years at Highfield, James Gardhouse literally handed the reins over to Mart. James and Ann then retired and moved to smaller quarters in central Toronto. Mart married Florence Garbutt and they had seven children together.
In the photo below, thirty-nine-year old J.M. (Mart) Gardhouse (centre) showcases his purebred horses prior to shipment to British Columbia. A couple of prize stallions positioned are: “Bluebell”, Grand Champion, Canadian National Exhibition; and “Brigham Radiant”, Grand Champion Hackney Stallion. This photo was taken in 1910 in front of Central Hotel, Weston. [Source: From This Year Hence: A History of the Township of Toronto Gore, 1818-1983, by George S. Tavender. Publisher: City of Brampton.]
In 1920 P.W. Pearson, Reeve of the Town of Newmarket, Ontario (later MPP for North York) researched the Gardhouse name: “As the County of Cumberland - and Carlisle in particular - is called the ‘Gateway to Scotland’, Carlisle has occupied an important position militarily and geographically. It has been the scene of battles, border fights and feuds commencing when the Romans occupied Carlisle in 80 A.D.
For over 1,700 years strife was rampant, and the inhabitants never knew at what moment they would be attacked and see their homes ablaze, their cattle and sheep slaughtered, and their wives and children kidnapped, wounded or slain.
In order to protect their families and their homes from destruction, the town elders selected some strong, loyal and skilled community members to form a permanent armed band which would protect the city and its inhabitants against surprise attacks by invaders. Hence the Saxon family name of “Guard the House” was given to those who formed this group. As time elapsed the word “the” was eliminated and later the letter “u” in the first word was dropped so that the name “Gardhouse” evolved into today’s spelling.
John Gardhouse (1784-1873).
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, many residents of Great Britain and Ireland were weighing their options: emigrate to countries such as Canada, Australia and the United States, or remain permanently in their own country. John Gardhouse and his family lived on a small farm near Nether Denton, Carlisle where they practised mixed farming. Cumbria's agricultural economy then consisted of sheep, beef cattle and dairy cattle, with Holstein-Friesian predominating. The fertile farm land, especially in the Eden Valley (between coastal marshes and high mountains,) boasted hundreds of acres of grain, while cattle and sheep grazed on the lush pastures.
A major decision such as this one, resulting in a big upheaval, must have required a great deal of thought. Both John (age 53) and his 49-year-old Scottish-born wife Isabella Martin Gardhouse – parents of three sons and two daughters aged five to 15 – were fast approaching middle age, and John had a slight physical disability involving lameness. In 1837, with their minds made up, John and his family bade a final farewell to their Cumbrian neighbours, and embarked on an arduous six-week voyage to Canada, setting sail from Liverpool in a primitive sailing ship.
The Gardhouses eventually settled in north Etobicoke in a village called Highfield, set amid some of the province’s best agricultural land. Other immigrants from Cumbria were also to establish roots in that area. Perhaps John Gardhouse was trying to duplicate his former surroundings as he traded his original land near today's Woodbine Race Track, for a 260-acre tract of prime land, lots 32, 33 and part of 34, concession 4, situated to the north and west of what are today's Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27.
A special feature of the property was an abundance of fresh water, as the western branch of the Humber River flowed through the eastern part of their rolling acres. Fortunately, this stream ran freely and never dried up regardless of the season, helping the family cultivate their crops. John and Isabella Gardhouse chose a coveted spot, close to the eastern border near the river, where they quickly built their first home -- a hand-hewn, two storey log house -- just in time before their first winter to set in. There was another added bonus: the large acreage was dotted with free-flowing springs, making it a natural fit for the family to import, raise and breed Shire horses, Shorthorn cattle, Leicester and Cotswold sheep, and Berkshire pigs.
The Gardhouses also figure into other aspects of Highfield history. When a local schoolhouse was constructed in 1874, the family sold an outside one-acre lot, to allow for the building of the school. A well which was dug to provide water lasted until 1940, when a new well was drilled to obtain a fresh supply. Sharon United Church was built west of the Highfield school on the Old Malton Road (now Rexdale Blvd.) Parish records show John Gardhouse as being the precentor [one who leads a church choir or congregation in singing] in 1842 because there was no church organ or piano.
Unfortunately, Isabella died a mere five years after their arrival, leaving John not only to operate his busy farm, but also to single-handedly raise the five children, now ranging in age from ten to 20 years. Despite these hardships, John continued his civic duty and was appointed the township assessor in January 1850, along with two others. Four of his five children eventually married or moved elsewhere, leaving behind only James to help his father manage the farm business, which by now was quite productive and successful.
James Gardhouse (1832-1916).
John's youngest son was energetic and suited to farm work. In 1854, 22-year old James married his neighbour, Ann Stobbart, and soon they began both a farm and their family. The Gardhouse Farm was officially passed down from father John to son James by purchase. James and Ann built an elegant, two-storey, ten room brick house and named their homestead Rosedale Farm, operating under the name of James Gardhouse & Sons.
James then expanded his Highfield property by purchasing adjoining lots from his neighbours on the east and west sides. He and his sons excelled in rearing, breeding and taking care of good livestock; their entries won awards at the Canadian National Exhibition and elsewhere in North America. James and Ann had 14 children in all, but as is usually the case with large families in the 1800s, there were also premature deaths. Sadly, two offspring died in infancy, and of the remaining 12, only five survived over thirty years.
James was a popular importer and breeder of farm livestock. His sales office was located on his Rosedale Farm, while his advertisements showed ways of contacting him by mail or in person.
By the 1870s, horses had replaced oxen on farms, and James tapped into a ready market. Horses were bred to power treadmills and to pull farm implements, delivery wagons and street railway cars. There were a great many small dairies in Toronto in the 1800s, and dairy wagons guided by horses did a brisk business transporting large containers of milk into the city, and delivering milk bottles to customers. Household moving companies and department stores such as Eaton's and Simpson’s, relied on horses to deliver their merchandise.
Some unlikely venues for heavy horse power were the frozen lakes and rivers where powerful horses were pressed into service for ice-harvesting or “winter crop” operations. Large draft horses such as Clydesdales, Percherons and Shires (which were the specialty breed of Rosedale Farm) pulled ice scraper plows essential to cutting large blocks of ice that weighed from 50 to 300 pounds each. The huge cakes of ice were hauled to shore where crews deposited them via a conveyor belt into ice house storage facilities, or waiting rail cars. An equal amount of equine strength was expended when work horses kept Toronto residential and commercial clients well-supplied with blocks of ice for their “ice wagon” deliveries. The ice industry was an important business; at one time a major ice company had over 200 horses stabled, ready to deliver ice to the city and its suburbs. [Source: Archives of Ontario (C7-3-545).]
The Gardhouse name became well known as their livestock business expanded to other locations. Various Gardhouse family members worked as experienced judges for agricultural fairs and events, on a national and international scale. Guard House Crescent, named for the family, is located west of Martin Grove Road and north of Finch Avenue. The original Gardhouse-Rosedale Farm remained in the family for over 100 years, and five generations of Gardhouses attended Highfield schools.
J.M. (“Mart”) Gardhouse (1871–1938).
Martin, the youngest son of James and Ann Gardhouse, was 16 years younger than his eldest brother John, and was named after his grandmother Isabella Martin. In 1894, after 57 years at Highfield, James Gardhouse literally handed the reins over to Mart. James and Ann then retired and moved to smaller quarters in central Toronto. Mart married Florence Garbutt and they had seven children together.
In the photo below, thirty-nine-year old J.M. (Mart) Gardhouse (centre) showcases his purebred horses prior to shipment to British Columbia. A couple of prize stallions positioned are: “Bluebell”, Grand Champion, Canadian National Exhibition; and “Brigham Radiant”, Grand Champion Hackney Stallion. This photo was taken in 1910 in front of Central Hotel, Weston. [Source: From This Year Hence: A History of the Township of Toronto Gore, 1818-1983, by George S. Tavender. Publisher: City of Brampton.]
John Gardhouse (1825-1918).
Another John Gardhouse emigrated with his family to Weston from Cumberland when he was only one year old. In 1851, John married Nancy Armstrong, who also was born in 1825. The young newlyweds farmed their sizeable property in Toronto Gore Township, County Peel until their retirement 50 years later. This industrious couple also held entrepreneurial interests: in 1856, John purchased Claireville's existing general store, located on the southeast corner of Albion Road and Indian Line in Etobicoke. He was also postmaster of the Humber Post Office, which operated out of his store. (Claireville straddled three townships: Toronto Gore, Vaughan and Etobicoke. The post office had been named “Humber” when it first opened in 1842 because the name Claireville was unknown until a plan for a village named that was filed in 1846.) John owned the store and was postmaster until 1860.
Eight children were born to John and Nancy Gardhouse: Mary J. Tingle, Maggie Snead, Francis Speers, Robert (who took over the operation of the family's County Peel farm, serving as a councillor in Toronto Gore for two three-year terms), Thomas (who eventually retired as a Malton farmer), Annie Bailey, John (Brampton business man), and James.
The obituary published in the May 28, 1918 edition of The Toronto World attested to John Gardhouse Sr's good character, hard work and community spirit: “a man of sterling worth, and held in the highest esteem by his neighbour, and, despite his great age, evinced a keen interest in current affairs. In political life he was a Liberal and identified with the Methodist Church”.
Another John Gardhouse emigrated with his family to Weston from Cumberland when he was only one year old. In 1851, John married Nancy Armstrong, who also was born in 1825. The young newlyweds farmed their sizeable property in Toronto Gore Township, County Peel until their retirement 50 years later. This industrious couple also held entrepreneurial interests: in 1856, John purchased Claireville's existing general store, located on the southeast corner of Albion Road and Indian Line in Etobicoke. He was also postmaster of the Humber Post Office, which operated out of his store. (Claireville straddled three townships: Toronto Gore, Vaughan and Etobicoke. The post office had been named “Humber” when it first opened in 1842 because the name Claireville was unknown until a plan for a village named that was filed in 1846.) John owned the store and was postmaster until 1860.
Eight children were born to John and Nancy Gardhouse: Mary J. Tingle, Maggie Snead, Francis Speers, Robert (who took over the operation of the family's County Peel farm, serving as a councillor in Toronto Gore for two three-year terms), Thomas (who eventually retired as a Malton farmer), Annie Bailey, John (Brampton business man), and James.
The obituary published in the May 28, 1918 edition of The Toronto World attested to John Gardhouse Sr's good character, hard work and community spirit: “a man of sterling worth, and held in the highest esteem by his neighbour, and, despite his great age, evinced a keen interest in current affairs. In political life he was a Liberal and identified with the Methodist Church”.
Map Source: Villages of Etobicoke,
Argyle Printing Co. 1983
Councillor James Gardhouse of Weston.
James Gardhouse, John and Nancy Gardhouse's youngest son, was born in County Peel, January 12, 1862. He was raised on the family farm and educated in the region's public schools. At only 14 years of age, he began buying and selling horses, and once owned a handsome steed named “Belmont Chief”.
In 1887 James married Elizabeth Mitchel, who was born in County Haldimand in 1863. They were members of the Presbyterian Church and Conservative party, in good standing. In 1898 James became a travelling salesman for the National Harvester Company for approximately two years until he and Elizabeth moved to Weston after purchasing a home there.
From 1900 on, he pursued coal, wood and undertaking businesses. James was elected a member of Weston’s council, where he served for many terms. He also maintained memberships in the Odd Fellows, Macabees and Order of Chosen Friends organizations.
The merits of the Gardhouses might best be summed up in the September 1966 edition of The Municipal World: “The members of the Gardhouse family are particularly well known and highly respected in municipal, agricultural and industrial circles, throughout all parts of Canada.”
John Gardhouse II (1855-1929).
John, also a successful farmer, was the eldest son of James and Ann. He was named for his grandfather, John Gardhouse I, the original settler from Cumbria. The four remaining sons of James and Ann were all involved in farming, and with other Gardhouses in the area, collectively owned and farmed over 1400 acres of prime land. However, it seems as if the eldest and the youngest son (Mart) of the remaining brothers were the most competitive. James groomed his eldest son to be an apprentice and in 1873, at only 18 years of age and just graduated high school, John travelled to the British Isles to purchase livestock. This was a big responsibility, for he had to choose high quality stallions and breeding mares. He then arranged for his horses to be shipped overseas to Highfield.
Unlike Mart, John in later years chose to operate his own farm. He married Mary Alice Dalton. The couple, who had seven children, lived on the north side of the Old Malton Road on “Aberfeldy Stock Farm”. Fortunately for them the western branch of the Humber River flowed through their property. After John and Mary spent 32 years at Aberfeldy, John passed the torch to his younger son, Stanley. John then custom built a beautiful, Edwardian-style solid brick home at 18 Fern Avenue in Weston for his wife and two daughters who were still living at home at the time.
Heritage Designation.
In 2004, the Weston Heritage Conservation District (WHCD) was concerned about the buildings on Fern Avenue: one to two and a half storey residences with the majority built in the 1920s. These Fern Ave houses were considered to have heritage value, especially #18, the John Gardhouse house and a two-bay stable built to the west of it, both constructed after Gardhouse purchased the property in 1911. WHCD objected to a developer's proposal to sever the lot in order to construct new homes in front of the existing house and stable.
The submission recommending 18 Fern Ave for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act included the following:
"…. The property is of historical interest for its association with John Gardhouse, a distinguished cattle breeder who was posthumously elected to the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. Gardhouse served as the Mayor of Weston, the Reeve of Etobicoke Township, and the Warden of York County. Located on the northwest corner of Fern Avenue and George Street, the house and stable were constructed in 1913. Members of the Gardhouse family occupied the property until 2002.
The John Gardhouse House displays design features associated with Edwardian Classicism. The heritage attributes of the house are the 2 1/2-storey plan with a rear (north) wing, the red brick cladding with brick and stone detailing, the cross-gable roof with extended eaves, shingled gables and brick chimneys, the principal (south) façade with the principal entrance and tripartite and stair hall windows, the open verandah with Classical detailing, and the pattern of the fenestration on all walls, particularly the bay windows and oriel windows with leaded panes. The wood cladding, gable roof and oversized doors are important elements on the stable."
On July 22, 2004, Toronto City Council enacted heritage designations for 18 Fern Avenue and surrounding landmarks. Perhaps this award was also a recognition of the prosperous and secure way of life the Gardhouses led after their hardy ancestors emigrated over a century and a half earlier, from Cumbria to Canada.
James Gardhouse, John and Nancy Gardhouse's youngest son, was born in County Peel, January 12, 1862. He was raised on the family farm and educated in the region's public schools. At only 14 years of age, he began buying and selling horses, and once owned a handsome steed named “Belmont Chief”.
In 1887 James married Elizabeth Mitchel, who was born in County Haldimand in 1863. They were members of the Presbyterian Church and Conservative party, in good standing. In 1898 James became a travelling salesman for the National Harvester Company for approximately two years until he and Elizabeth moved to Weston after purchasing a home there.
From 1900 on, he pursued coal, wood and undertaking businesses. James was elected a member of Weston’s council, where he served for many terms. He also maintained memberships in the Odd Fellows, Macabees and Order of Chosen Friends organizations.
The merits of the Gardhouses might best be summed up in the September 1966 edition of The Municipal World: “The members of the Gardhouse family are particularly well known and highly respected in municipal, agricultural and industrial circles, throughout all parts of Canada.”
John Gardhouse II (1855-1929).
John, also a successful farmer, was the eldest son of James and Ann. He was named for his grandfather, John Gardhouse I, the original settler from Cumbria. The four remaining sons of James and Ann were all involved in farming, and with other Gardhouses in the area, collectively owned and farmed over 1400 acres of prime land. However, it seems as if the eldest and the youngest son (Mart) of the remaining brothers were the most competitive. James groomed his eldest son to be an apprentice and in 1873, at only 18 years of age and just graduated high school, John travelled to the British Isles to purchase livestock. This was a big responsibility, for he had to choose high quality stallions and breeding mares. He then arranged for his horses to be shipped overseas to Highfield.
Unlike Mart, John in later years chose to operate his own farm. He married Mary Alice Dalton. The couple, who had seven children, lived on the north side of the Old Malton Road on “Aberfeldy Stock Farm”. Fortunately for them the western branch of the Humber River flowed through their property. After John and Mary spent 32 years at Aberfeldy, John passed the torch to his younger son, Stanley. John then custom built a beautiful, Edwardian-style solid brick home at 18 Fern Avenue in Weston for his wife and two daughters who were still living at home at the time.
Heritage Designation.
In 2004, the Weston Heritage Conservation District (WHCD) was concerned about the buildings on Fern Avenue: one to two and a half storey residences with the majority built in the 1920s. These Fern Ave houses were considered to have heritage value, especially #18, the John Gardhouse house and a two-bay stable built to the west of it, both constructed after Gardhouse purchased the property in 1911. WHCD objected to a developer's proposal to sever the lot in order to construct new homes in front of the existing house and stable.
The submission recommending 18 Fern Ave for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act included the following:
"…. The property is of historical interest for its association with John Gardhouse, a distinguished cattle breeder who was posthumously elected to the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. Gardhouse served as the Mayor of Weston, the Reeve of Etobicoke Township, and the Warden of York County. Located on the northwest corner of Fern Avenue and George Street, the house and stable were constructed in 1913. Members of the Gardhouse family occupied the property until 2002.
The John Gardhouse House displays design features associated with Edwardian Classicism. The heritage attributes of the house are the 2 1/2-storey plan with a rear (north) wing, the red brick cladding with brick and stone detailing, the cross-gable roof with extended eaves, shingled gables and brick chimneys, the principal (south) façade with the principal entrance and tripartite and stair hall windows, the open verandah with Classical detailing, and the pattern of the fenestration on all walls, particularly the bay windows and oriel windows with leaded panes. The wood cladding, gable roof and oversized doors are important elements on the stable."
On July 22, 2004, Toronto City Council enacted heritage designations for 18 Fern Avenue and surrounding landmarks. Perhaps this award was also a recognition of the prosperous and secure way of life the Gardhouses led after their hardy ancestors emigrated over a century and a half earlier, from Cumbria to Canada.
18 Fern Avenue, Weston: now a century-plus home, still looking grand! (Photos and layout: Gregory P. Wowchuk, a former President of the Etobicoke Historical Society.)
Researched and Written by Katharine Williams
Other sources:
Wilbert W. Gardhouse, A Thread in the Gardhouse Family Tapestry, 1969.
The Commemorative Biographical Record, County of York, Ontario: Biographical Sketches of prominent, early settled families.
The Toronto World, May 28, 1918. The Municipal World, September 1966.
Internet website address: www.visitcumbria.com/history.
Other sources:
Wilbert W. Gardhouse, A Thread in the Gardhouse Family Tapestry, 1969.
The Commemorative Biographical Record, County of York, Ontario: Biographical Sketches of prominent, early settled families.
The Toronto World, May 28, 1918. The Municipal World, September 1966.
Internet website address: www.visitcumbria.com/history.