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		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 222 years ago - Corktown - 1802 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1885		Oldest 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		Dinning 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		Berkeley 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		Watercolour 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		Painting 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		Berkeley House (incorrect archive date of 1935 is too late) 100 years ago - Corktown - 1924 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1924		Berkeley 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		Berkeley 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)