Ardwold - Sir John Craig Eaton and Lady Eaton

Ardwold was the home of Sir John Craig Eaton and Lady Eaton - the name means "high green hill" in gaelic. Built in 1911, it was demolished (some of the thicker walls requiring dynamite) only 25 years later in 1936. By all accounts it was one of the most dramatic houses in all of Canada, second only to Casa Loma next door. The land was purchased in 1909 and the existing home, Anne Arthurs's Ravenswood (1867-1909) was torn down. Architect A. Frank Wickson then designed the 50-room Georgian style estate, which included the expected music room, billiards room, and 14 bathrooms. But the house also included an elevator, a 5-room nursery suite complete with its own kitchen, a private hospital area, and an underground tunnel to the half-acre glassed in conservatory and indoor swimming pool. But guests were first introduced to the mansion in the two storey great hall complete with a pipe organ that Sir John would often play.

As with many estates along the escarpment just above Davenport Road, the 11 acres of gardens and grounds at Ardwold were noteworthy as well. The view south over Toronto was enhanced by the formal Italian-inspired gardens and fountains. Unfortunately the Ardwold estate was sold in 1936 after Sir John died of pneumonia in 1922, and Lady Eaton moved to her King City chateau. The land was divided up into what is now the Ardwold Gate subdivision.

Ardwold is just one of the many estates that have stood along "The Davenport Hill" in Toronto.

 
 

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1909		Ardwold Gate - 480 Davenport Road 115 years ago - Casa Loma - 1909 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1911		Model T in the driveway out front of Ardwold - home of Sir John Eaton and Lady Eaton, Spadina Road 113 years ago - Casa Loma - 1911 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912		Looking up to the Glass cupola from the grounds of Ardwold 112 years ago - Casa Loma - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912		Lodge on Spadina at AustinTerrace, entrance to Ardwold 112 years ago - Casa Loma - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915		Looking northwest from Casa Loma tower across Spadina House and Ardwold 109 years ago - Casa Loma - 1915 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1918		Interior of Eatons residence at Ardwold - piano and artwork 106 years ago - Casa Loma - 1918 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1920		Sir John Eaton and Lady Eaton (left) and group at Ardwold Estate 104 years ago - Casa Loma - 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1922		Ardwold Estate demolished 1936 for Ardwold Gate subdivision 102 years ago - Casa Loma - 1922 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1922		Garden Wall along Spadina Rd outside Ardwold 102 years ago - Casa Loma - Thursday, July 20, 1922 Max temp: 26.7°C - Min temp: 11.7°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1922		Ardwold - Sir John Craig Eaton's mansion - looking n.e. at right behind trees is Glen Edyth 102 years ago - Casa Loma - 1922 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1922		South side of Ardwold in the snow 102 years ago - Casa Loma - 1922 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1926		Wedding fashion parade at Ardwold in front of glassed in conservatory and indoor pool 98 years ago - Casa Loma - 1926 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929		Entrance to Ardwold, Eaton family residence, Spadina Road 95 years ago - Casa Loma - Wednesday, September 18, 1929 Max temp: 12.8°C - Min temp: 5.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)