Berkeley House (John Small house)

Berkeley House stood on the corner of King Street East and Berkeley St. in Toronto's Corktown neighbourhood. Major John Small, Clerk of the Crown purchased the property on August 31, 1795 for $50 from carpenter George Porterbuilt. The original log cabin was already on the property when it was purchased, and the building was expanded and improved over the years by the Small family. Recently the foundation was unearthed as the site is being redeveloped.

Major Small famously killed the Attorney General, John White in a duel on January 3rd, 1800. His son, Charles Small, enlarged and modernized Berkeley House, adding Gothic style windows, and stuccoing over the original logs. For a time it was "one of the social centres of Toronto" but as industry moved into the neighbourhood the house fell into disrepair, and was torn down in 1925. Construction of a new Globe and Mail building on the site resulted in the foundation being unearthed in 2012.

List of all subjects. You can also see all the historic photos for a given neighbourhood. We also have a list of all the photos arranged by date.

And you can also go up a level to see the other photos we've put under the category of Estates_and_Houses photos.

1802 Historic photo from 1802 - A sketch shewing the land occupied by John Small Esqr. upon the reserve appropriated for the Government House at York, by his Excellency Lt. Gov Simcoe in CorktownA sketch shewing the land occupied by John Small Esqr. upon the reserve appropriated for the Government House at York, by his Excellency Lt. Gov Simcoe
222 years ago - Corktown - 1802
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1885 Historic photo from 1885 - Oldest part of Berkeley House with twin gables on the right, addition on the left in CorktownOldest part of Berkeley House with twin gables on the right, addition on the left
139 years ago - Corktown - 1885
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Dinning room at Berkeley House - King and Berkeley St. - long table, fireplace, and wallpaper in CorktownDinning room at Berkeley House - King and Berkeley St. - long table, fireplace, and wallpaper
124 years ago - Corktown - 1900
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1908 Historic photo from 1908 - Berkeley House, King Street East and Berkeley St. - log cabin built 1794, Gothic style windows and stucco added, demolished in 1920s in CorktownBerkeley House, King Street East and Berkeley St. - log cabin built 1794, Gothic style windows and stucco added, demolished in 1920s
116 years ago - Corktown - 1908
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from 1912 - Watercolour reproduced in Landmarks of Toronto v.1 of Berkeley House, based on an 1888 photo in CorktownWatercolour reproduced in Landmarks of Toronto v.1 of Berkeley House, based on an 1888 photo
112 years ago - Corktown - 1912
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1912 Historic photo from 1912 - Painting of Berkeley House based on a pencil sketch made by Mrs. C. Small in 1830 - King and Berkeley in CorktownPainting of Berkeley House based on a pencil sketch made by Mrs. C. Small in 1830 - King and Berkeley
112 years ago - Corktown - 1912
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1924 Historic photo from 1924 - Berkeley House (incorrect archive date of 1935 is too late) in CorktownBerkeley House (incorrect archive date of 1935 is too late)
100 years ago - Corktown - 1924
Link to archive record - Map location
1924 Historic photo from 1924 - Berkeley House for sale and in disrepair next to advertising in CorktownBerkeley House for sale and in disrepair next to advertising
100 years ago - Corktown - 1924
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1925 Historic photo from 1925 - Berkeley House for sale - ads for Bon Ton nail polish, Wondershine silver cleaner, and Stickfast wallpaper paste in CorktownBerkeley House for sale - ads for Bon Ton nail polish, Wondershine silver cleaner, and Stickfast wallpaper paste
99 years ago - Corktown - 1925
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)