Chorley Park

The forth, and final, Government House in Ontario was called Chorley Park. Designed by Francis R. Heakes in a French Renaissance style, it was built of Credit Valley stone between 1911 and 1915 on 14 acres of the still relatively undeveloped Rosedale neighbourhood. One of the most expensive residences ever constructed in Canada up to that point, it cost over a million dollars.

But the lavish building was expensive to maintain, and even heat, especially as the world slide into The Depression, and was closed in 1937. It was acquired by the federal government and used as a military hospital, RCMP headquarters in Toronto, and a residence for refugees of the 1956 Hungarian uprising.

Finally, in 1960 the City of Toronto bought the building and property, and in 1961 the building was demolished and the grounds were turned into a park.

 
 

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 Government House photos.

1910		Government House, Chorley Park, Rosedale 114 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1911		Foundations and bridge for Government House (Chorley Park) 113 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1911 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912		Government House, Chorley Park, Rosedale 112 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915		Aerial watercolour view by the architect Elmer H. Russell of the fountain and Chorley Park 109 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1915 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1915		Chorley Park dining room 109 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1915 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915		Chorley Park - History of Ontario Vice-Regal Residences 109 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1915 Link to archive record - Map location
1916		Government House (1915-1937), path, under bridge betw. inner and outer courts 108 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1916 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1916		Government House (1915-1937) - Interior, billiard room 108 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1916 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1916		Government House (1915-1937); Interior, blue parlour with furnishings 108 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1916 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1923		Chorley Park, residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario 101 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - Tuesday, November 20, 1923 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1925		Front view of Lt.-Governors residence Chorley Park - in Rosedale 99 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - Saturday, July 25, 1925 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1926		Side view of Ontario Government House, Chorley Park, Toronto 98 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - Sunday, July 25, 1926 Max temp: 23.9°C - Min temp: 15.6°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1930		Areal photo of Government House, Chorley Park 94 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1930 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1959		Front view of Chorley Park during its demolition 65 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1959 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1959		Side view of Chorley Park during its demolition 65 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1959 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1959		View of Chorley Park during its demolition 65 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1959 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1959		Winter scene showing the bridge in front of Chorley Park 65 years ago - Don Valley Brickworks - 1959 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)