Residence.

Details of Site Location: North of Lawrence Avenue on the west side of Yonge in the Bedford Park area.

Boundary History: The house occupied Lot 6, at 2708 Yonge Street.

Current Use of Property: Blessed Sacrament Separate School.

Historical Description: James Metcalfe was born in 1822 in England, where he studied architecture. He emigrated to Canada in 1841, setting himself up as a developer with Wilson and Forbes as partners in 1843. They had large, important contracts: St. James’ Cathedral, Trinity College, the Normal School, and St. Lawrence Hall. When Alexander Wilson died, the partnership dissolved and Metcalfe departed for the southern United States, where he made a fortune in the gold fields. Returning to Toronto in 1856 he plunged back into business and public life, adding to his industrious activity by becoming a Member of Parliament. He was called “California Metcalfe” because of his fortune and flamboyant nature. He purchased a block of land from a Clergy Reserve and built a subdivision at the southwest corner of Yorkville, where his city home faced Bloor Street from west of Avenue Road. A country home had been begun in 1856, earlier than his Yorkville scheme, which occupied much of his attention. But the country home proceeded. It was a two-and-a-half-storey brick house, very large and surrounded with gardens filled with exotic birds, such as peacocks. The whole was enclosed with an elaborate fence he had imported from England. At the official opening of the house, the creditors left when his former partnership dissolved were fully paid, for his Yorkville subdivision was going well and his gold fortune backed everything. When Metcalfe died, his country house, Knockaloe, remained empty and neglected, eventually suffering from a fire. In 1889, three years after his death, the Ellis brothers, Philip and William, both jewellers, purchased Knockaloe and restored it. They kept the three-bay facade intact with its central door, and repaired and expanded the stable, where they kept thorough-breds. The Ellises had purchased other lands and laid out a subdivision of small lots. William Ellis lived at Knockaloe while Philip moved downtown. In 1926, Knockaloe was purchased by the Catholic archdiocese. The house was demolished in 1928 and Blessed Sacrament Separate School built on its site.

Relative Importance and Planning Implications: James Metcalfe can be commemorated at two locations: this one, or on Bloor Street. The latter project took more of his time and attention but offers much less of a commemorative site. An extremely interesting and colourful figure, he has many accomplishments to his credit. A plaque at the school grounds is recommended.

Reference Sources: City of Toronto Archives; Toronto Reference Library; Goad’s Atlas 1884.

Acknowledgements: Community History Project.