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In addition to the grand homes built in the Valley, a number of more modest homes were available to local residents. Some of these were built by the founding families for themselves, while others were built for their workers.2
9 Hassard Avenue, workers' housing built by George Taylor in 1872October, 2004
Todmorden, Ontario
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George Taylor provided a number of more modest dwellings for his senior workers.Three of these houses are still standing at 9, 11 and 13 Hassard Avenue. The original name of the street was Hawthorne Row, named in honour of George Taylor's mother Margaret Hawthorne, who died in 1825.
Numbers 11 and 13 were built in 1854. The house at number 9 was built in 1872.
The Taylors' bankruptcy records indicate that they owned a number of lots on Torrens, Gamble and Bee Avenues that may have also housed their workers.
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366 and 368 Don Mills Road1910
Todmorden, Ontario
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The Diefenbaker HomeBefore moving to western Canada, the Diefenbaker family lived at 368 Don Mills Road (now Broadview Avenue) for about one year in 1906.
At the time, Mr. Diefenbaker was the principal of Plains Road School, east of Pape Avenue. His two young sons, Elmer and John (the future Prime Minister of Canada), attended Plains Road School.
The Diefenbakers' semi-detached home was fenced in to protect the garden from cows roaming in the nearby pastures.
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Worker's house on Pottery RoadDecember, 1934
Todmorden, Ontario
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Workers' cottages in the ValleyA number of workers' cottages dotted Pottery Road and the Don Valley until the 1940s.
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Fantasy Farm1950
Don Valley, Toronto
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Fantasy FarmThe building now known as Fantasy Farm was originally the Skinner home. In 1944, Rand Freeland, a Toronto businessman, purchased the property from the Davies family. Freeland, an avid horseman, hoped to nurse an injured horse named Silky back to health on the property.
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Fantasy Farm1958
Don Valley, Toronto
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Silky the horse recovered. Freeland named his property Fantasy Farm and soon it was a popular location for weddings, banquets and meetings.In the mid-1950s, a new building was constructed on the site to accommodate the increased number of events.
Rand Freeland was passionate about the Valley and was an active member of the Don Valley Conservation Association. He frequently donated the use of Fantasy Farm to the Association for its events and celebrations.
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Todmorden Hotel1905
Todmorden, Ontario
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The Todmorden HotelThe Todmorden Hotel was built at the corner of Broadview and Westwood Avenues, across the road from Bellehaven. Hugh Reid's blacksmith shop was located nearby. A customer could get his horses shod while he enjoyed a drink at the nearby Hotel. Reid's best customers were the dairies and brickyards of the Valley; both industries relied upon horses for deliveries until the 1930s.
The Todmorden Hotel was demolished and a grocery store was built in its place.
Reid's blacksmith shop was in operation until the 1950s.
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Inscription on wall of Terry House, dated 1850, photo 19651850
Todmorden, Ontario
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