Residence.

Details of Site Location: Located on Russell Creek, west of Spadina Avenue, east of Bathurst Street; mid way between Queen and College Streets, roughly at the point where Dundas Street crosses.

Boundary History: The property was the east half of Park Lot 17. Today’s streets are not boundaries on any side of the property, but if the house is pinpointed it is where Dundas and Denison Avenue would meet.

Current Use of Property: Mainly housing.

Historical Description: Park Lot 17 was granted to Alexander Grant. It ran from Queen Street to Bloor and consisted of 100 acres. Park Lot 18 separated it from the line that became Bathurst Street and had been granted to Littlehales. George Taylor Denison purchased Park Lot 17 and the east half of Lot 18 in 1815. Denison built his house, south of the south bank of Russell Creek at what would become the south side of Dundas Street. There were also two outbuildings on the property, one to the west of the house and the other north of it but on the other side of the creek. The house itself was Loyalist Georgian in style, covered with roughcast stucco painted white. There were several large fireplaces. George Taylor Denison lived in the house until his death in 1853. His son, Robert Britain Denison (1821-1900) donated the site of and built St. Stephen in the Fields Church. In 1854, J. Stoughton Dennis surveyed the lower portion of the estate into town lots, which were offered for sale. In 1889, R.B. Denison sold the house and what remained of the property, and the house was demolished the next year.

Relative Importance: The Denison family is remembered in a street name, but there is nothing to tell passers by why this is so and how the Denison family influenced the way the area developed later. George Taylor Denison served as a Colonel in the militia and was a veteran of the Fenian raids. Both he and his son gave many years of service on City Council representing St. Patrick’s Ward. Few people are aware of the work of the Denisons in helping the city to grow.

Planning Implications:

A plaque in the area of streets bearing the Bellevue name (four in all) or Denison Avenue is recommended. The plaque should inform about the Denison family and the house called Bellevue (which must not be confused with another of the same name on top of the escarpment).

Reference Sources: David Gagen, The Denison Family of Toronto 1792-1925; Goad’s Atlas (1884, 1890); Victor L. Russell, Mayors of Toronto 1834-1899 (1952).

Acknowledgements: Maps Project.