Accommodations, refreshments, social site.
Details of Site Location: On the west side of Broadview Avenue (no. 1168) near Pottery Road. (Broadview Avenue was originally called Don Mills Road.)
Current Use of Property: Large Food Store / shopping centre.
Historical Description: This hotel served the original Todmorden community for over 100 year’s. It was demolished in 1965. John Matthews who came from England in 1853 was an early proprietor. It was a brick building, which in later years was stuccoed over. Not a great deal of detail exists about the building, however a number of photos have survived. The earliest photos show a 2 1/2 story building with a peaked dormer in the middle of the front facade, a graceful broad balcony with railings and pillars running across the front on both stories. In the later photos the balcony and railings have disappeared giving the front facade the appearance of a typical centre-hall-plan home.
As well, there is what appears to be an “el” or wing on either side of the central structure. The south wing has what appears to be an additional entrance made of stone, which possibly could have been the tavern entrance.
In the early days of the development of the Toronto area Todmorden was a thriving pioneer community. This stretch of Broadview (originally called Don Mills Road) had a thriving business section. There was Barter’s General Store and Post Office near Westwood Avenue and north of the Todmorden House Hotel. Across the road from the hotel was a blacksmith shop, owned by Hugh Reid. And just south of Todmorden House and on the west side of the street stood the Central Hotel owned by James Young. He also operated the Doncaster general store and post office while his wife ran the hotel. Most of these businesses were in existence until the 1960’s, some serving their customers for over 100 years.
Relative Importance: For over a hundred years this hotel stood as a landmark to many Torontonians. As well it stands as a symbol of the early life of the village of Todmorden; it should be remembered for these reasons.
Planning Implications: A plaque should be placed on the current site commemorating the early life along that part of today’s Broadview Avenue, the former Todmorden community.
Reference Sources: The Golden Years of East York, (edited and published by Centennial College Press Inventory of Historical Buildings in East York, East York LALAC).
Acknowledgements: Maps Project.