Government building.

Details of Site Location: 1979 Weston Road (Main Street), at the corner of Elsmere.

Boundary History: Corner lot of approximately half an acre.

Current Use of Property: Commercial buildings.

Historical Description: In 1842, the British Post Office appointed John A. Donaldson as postmaster. Donaldson was a prominent man in Weston, with connections to the Grand Trunk Railway, which he helped to bring to Weston and, later, with the Atlantic Steam-ship Company. He remained as postmaster until May 1861, when Robert Johnson was appointed. Johnson’s term was longer, lasting until 1894. The first post office building was of frame, a single storey, with a verandah running full length. It was in Johnston’s term that the post office building was at the northeast corner of Main and Church Streets. When Johnston died in 1894, the service was carried on by his wife, Rebecca, until 1903. In March of that year, J.M. Pearen was appointed Postmaster, and the post office was moved into the Dominion Public Building at 1979 Weston Road/Main Street. This building celebrated 100 years of service in 1981. It was of two storeys, built of contrasting materials in a stripped-down Classical style. Its picture shows it with a door near the corner, five double-hung windows on each façade of the second storey, and a large flagpole rising straight up over the front door. It is this building that is recalled by this report. A.J. Barker had been appointed Postmaster in 1906; he oversaw the move from the older building in 1936. A few elderly people alive today remember this building with affection. On 1 July 1939, this Weston Post Office became a Toronto Postal Station, a signal of more changes to come. In 1959, the post office moved again to 2050 Weston Road. Not one of the four buildings that served as the Weston Post Office remains standing today. The building at 1979 Weston Road was the most impressive of all the post office’s locations. Like all emerging communities, it was a sign of a “coming of age” when a community had its own post office, and a special distinction when the government built a special building to accommodate it. As Toronto’s second oldest incorporated community, Weston had reason to be proud.

Relative Importance: The post office was important to the community, which continues to look upon its loss with some distress.

Planning Implications: A plaque at the intersection of Weston Road and Elsmere is recommended, and it should give an outline of all of Weston’s post office sites.

Reference Sources: Files of the Weston Historical Society.

Acknowledgements: Weston Historical Society.