Heritage Week display at Scarborough Town Centre

Posted on March 1, 2012 by scarboro

The Scarborough Town Centre played host to Heritage Showcase

By Rick Schofield

Heritage Day or Family Day is the third Monday of February, and Heritage Week gives us a chance to look back at our community’s history. To mark the occasion, a special Heritage Week display was set up in the Scarborough Town Centre at Sears Court on the weekend of Feb. 24 to 26.

Scarborough’s documented history is barely 200 years old, yet local heritage is something on which we can all reflect, regardless of our ancestral roots. We remained a purely rural community until about 1910 when suburban development then began in Birch Cliff. But more growth is on its way.

During the post war boom, developers quickly transformed open farmland into streets of closely packed houses, commercial buildings and industry. By 1955, the population had surpassed 100,000 and Scarborough had become one of the federated municipalities of Metropolitan Toronto. Aerial photographs in the Scarborough Archives dating from 1949-1970s illustrate the rapid transformation of the landscape. During the next 50 years, families from all parts of the world came to make a new home in Scarborough. Our community is now one of the most culturally diverse in the world.

In 1998, with a population of more than half a million, municipal government was amalgamated into a new City of Toronto but community names such as Scarborough, Agincourt, Highland Creek and West Hill are still recognized and Scarborough has retained its own Community Council to deal with local issues. We’re like the Boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, which amalgamated into New York City back in 1898. Those names are still in use today, more than 100 years later. Our municipal government has changed, but the Scarborough community names still survive.

As we celebrated Heritage Week 2012, we reflected briefly upon the days when early settlers set out to clear the land and build homes for their families.

Once again, to mark Heritage Week, the Scarborough Historical Society and Archives set up a display at Sears Court in the Scarborough Town Centre, during regular shopping centre hours from Friday, Feb. 24 to 26, 2012

Archives’ volunteers were on hand to meet the general public, answer questions about our heritage and display the archives’ extensive photo collection for all to view.

Residents were invited to come look at the hundreds of post war aerial photographs showing the development of Scarborough and look through community photo albums filled with street scenes and historic landmarks. Those interested in Scarborough’s history can sgtill visit our Facebook page: “Scarborough, Looking Back” or our website: www.scarboroughhistorical.ca

note: If you missed us this year, we’ll be back in February, 2013.

In the news: Annis house continues to welcome guests on Kingston Road

Posted on February 11, 2012 by scarboro

Jeremiah Annis house, c.1890

*From www.insidetoronto.com, Feb. 3, 2012.
Also published in the Scarborough Mirror, Feb. 3, 2012

Looking Back – By Rick Schofield

Early in 1975, the Scarborough Historical Society took steps to study the historic buildings still existing in Scarborough and to approach council to have them declared historic sites for preservation under the Ontario Heritage Act. Scarborough Council was most sympathetic at that time and was of great assistance.

The Jeremiah Annis house on Kingston Road, at Scarborough Golf Club Road, is one example of a designated historic site. Built in 1867 for the Annis family, the walls are a beautiful example of the stone work the early settlers of Scarborough were capable of creating. The fancy hand-made, wooden trim around the roof and verandah reflect how the builder took great pride in his work 100 years ago. That trim was recently restored by Douglas Roberts, a modern day heritage restoration carpenter.

The fieldstone house, with its gothic centre gable, was home to Jeremiah Annis, eleventh child of Levi Annis and Rhoda Conant.

Annis was a descendant of early Puritan settlers of Massachusetts, who came to Canada from the United States in 1793, and opened one of the first inns in 1808 for pioneer travellers along the Kingston Road. Jeremiah Annis and two of his sons long played leading parts in Scarborough’s municipal life as councillors, he in 1873, Levi E. 1889-1892, and William D. 1902-1907. William D. Annis also served as Township Reeve 1908-1912.

The stone house is a picturesque example of Upper Canadian vernacular architecture, with careful consideration given to the stone work. The former dwelling has since undergone several renovations to serve the commercial needs of today’s Kingston Road traveller.

Although the interior has been gutted, the exterior of the house has retained much of its 19th century charm. A large verandah, similar to the original, was added to replace a somewhat hideous addition built in the 1960s (before the general public had any control over such matters). While earlier renovations were not kind to the building, the recent changes have been a great improvement.

Unfortunately, the widening of Kingston Road and the change in land use did little to help retain its earlier “country home” environment.

In the 19th century Jeremiah Annis often welcomed guests who passed by on their way to or from Kingston on the stage coach line. Today, the stone house still welcomes those who pass by. Perhaps this was not what Annis had in mind when he built the house in 1867, but at least it has been saved from demolition and remains viable today as The Olde Stone Cottage Pub, one of Scarborough’s designated heritage properties.

In the news: Providence Villa Healthcare celebrated 50th Anniversary

Posted on February 6, 2012 by scarboro

Excerpt from www.insidetoronto.com – Published January 28, 2012.

Providence Healthcare history rooted in Scarborough’s past
Facility celebrates 50th anniversary of Providence Villa’s opening in 1962

By Danielle Milley.

This Saturday (Jan. 28, 2012) is the 50th anniversary of the ‘Caravan of Kindness’ that marked the beginning of Providence Healthcare in Scarborough.

Jan. 28, 1962 was the day the residents were moved from the original House of Providence downtown to a new building on St. Clair Avenue, between Warden and Pharmacy avenues, that was once the site of a farm used to supply the food at the House of Providence. The first House of Providence was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1857 and located on Power Street downtown; the relocation was necessary as the building was slated for demolition to make way for the expansion of the Don Valley Parkway.

During its 50 year history in Scarborough, Providence has operated under several different names, but its mission has remained the same.

It has helped thousands of people through the years including Karen Moloney. The Scarborough resident ended up at Providence after she hit her head in a fall and needed rehabilitation care. She was at The Scarborough Hospital for nearly three weeks before being transferred. She was at Providence for a month before being discharged earlier this week – she wanted to stay for some of the 50th anniversary celebrations that began on Thursday morning. “I’m really impressed with what’s going on here,” she said.

After the move to Scarborough, the House of Providence was renamed Providence Villa and Hospital to better reflect its new focus on providing residential care and rehabilitation, particularly to older adults. In 1990, the name was changed again to Providence Centre and then in 2004 the facility, which was expanded to include a long-term residence in 2000, was renamed Providence Healthcare. It offers rehabilitation, long-term care, palliative care, community programs and caregiver support.

While Moloney’s experience at Providence has been challenging, she said the staff and volunteers have helped to make it more enjoyable.

Volunteers such as Vera Newman who has been volunteering since 1998, right after she retired and found herself bored with all her free time. “I’ve been hanging around ever since,” she said. Newman is a very popular fixture at Providence where she provides some pampering to patients and residents. Every Wednesday she hosts a spa day for residents in the Cardinal Ambrozic Houses of Providence (the 288 unit long-term care residence) and on Tuesday afternoons she does spa house calls for patients in the hospital.

“These are nice people. If we can make them feel better for the last few years (of their life) we can give them dignity,” Newman said. “That’s why I do nails because if your nails look nice they’re just so happy and it makes them feel good.” She offers a range of colours from the more subtle nudes and blushes to the eye catching greens and bright red. Newman also does arm massages with cream to complete the spa experience.

Newman’s experience with Providence isn’t limited to volunteering, five years ago she hurt her hip while on vacation in Cuba and ended up at Providence for four and a half weeks. “They treated me just great,” she said. She had more visitors than most with many of the women of the Houses coming to see her. “As soon as I could I was back,” Newman said. “It’s a wonderful place, that’s why I stayed (all these years).”

Moloney has learned what a wonderful place it is over the past month. She even used the time to read about the history of the organization located right in her own community. She’s enjoyed being so close to home. “It means my husband can come twice a day and I get to see him,” she said. She added the two take a walk each night through the hospital’s Memory Lane, a hallway full of artifacts and information about Providence’s 154-year-old history, which opened late last year.

That opening was a teaser for the many celebrations that are to take place during 2012, which began with staff and employees being greeted Thursday morning with coffee and an anniversary pocket calendar and was followed by the presentation of the Living Our Values awards Thursday afternoon. The anniversary theme will be part of a summer barbecue and gala fundraiser in the fall.

In the news: Heritage designation rejected for Pollock house

Posted on January 19, 2012 by scarboro

H.R. Pollock "Lakewood" house, built 1939.

*From www.insidetoronto.com, Jan. 18, 2012.
Also appeared in The Scarborough Mirror on Jan. 26, 2012.

By Mike Adler.

Scarborough councillors reject heritage designation for home built in 1939.
Bluffs’ home “Lakewood” built by Harvey Robert Pollock.

A man whose family built a home on the Scarborough Bluffs says an effort to designate the property historic wasn’t fair. “Realistically, the house is tired,” said Greg Pollock, whose grandfather Harvey Robert Pollock finished a large home on land west of the Bellamy Ravine and Gates Gully in 1939, told Scarborough councillors last week. “It makes the most economical sense to tear it down and start over.”

Pollock’s testimony on behalf of the men who bought the four acres – and a letter from his parents stating they don’t object to seeing new homes there – helped to sway councillors against investigating its heritage value.

In November, local councillor Gary Crawford, after hearing from another resident, introduced a Scarborough Community Council motion directing the Toronto Preservation Board to consider a heritage designation for the home, called Lakewood, at 13 Pine Ridge Dr. At the time, Crawford said he hadn’t had time to contact the property’s new owner but said “we owe the Pollock family” to get the designation process started before something happened to the house and land.

The matter was deferred, though, and last week the new owners complained seeking a designation now is unjust. “This is financially damaging to us,” said Robert Sterijevski, adding he and George Lazarevski paid $2.1 million in September for the property, intending to build homes for themselves and create a third building lot. The Pollock family accepted this, he said, and so did agencies such as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, which regulates building on the bluffs.

Crawford acted when Jane Fairburn, who has investigated old homes along Toronto’s waterfront for an upcoming book, argued both Lakewood and the property itself have heritage significance. She repeated that position last week, adding she is not a “crusader” who looks around for houses to designate. It’s legal for citizens to come forward to defend heritage, Fairburn told councillors. “That’s called democracy. I’m not trying to inhibit anyone.” Asked why she didn’t act before the Pollocks sold the property, Fairburn said Lakewood’s fate was never “a live issue” until recently.

Greg Pollock said Fairburn talked to his father Robert about the house, but not, to his knowledge, about a designation. He added the family knew it was impractical for new owners to think of restoring the house. Asked by Crawford whether he felt there was historical significance in what his family contributed to Scarborough, Pollock said he felt honoured by the recognition, but “to me, it’s a private matter.”

Crawford later was alone in voting to ask the board to investigate adding Lakewood to its list of properties. He said he knew a designation may not be warranted, but wanted to be comfortable in saying the property is or isn’t worthy. “I want staff to give me proper advice.”

Lazarevski and Sterijevski said they were willing to preserve some parts of Lakewood, including a gothic stone fireplace Fairburn noted was once housed in the Ontario Legislature, in order perhaps to move them to an interested museum.

Councillor Paul Ainslie also suggested a historical plaque could one day be placed on the property.