Residence of early 9th century.
Details of Site Location: Located in the Royal York block, near the northeast corner of York and Front, numbered later as 51-53 York Street.
Boundary History: The boundaries of the property involve a total of four out of the original eight in the block. The house was on Lot 8, and Lots 2, 7, and 1 were part of the early development. The Lots were Town Lots granted in 1797, and the entire block was bounded by Front, Market, Hay and York.
Current Use of Property: Royal York Hotel.
Historical Description: William Dummer Powell became Chief Justice of Upper Canada in 1816. His first house was made of logs and was not large. It was clapboarded and painted later. Next, a frame addition of two storeys was made and a porch or verandah added. Its front facade looked out on York Street over a curved driveway and path which led to the front door. The side of the house faced the lake. The log house was constructed circa 1800 and the newer U-shaped frame building with its double deck verandah, was built around 1812. Powell’s wife, the former Anne Murray, was a very strong woman and the story is told that she refused to leave her house during the American invasion and watched the whole war from her front porch. She remained in the house after her husband’s death in 1834 until her own in 1849. Dr. Gwynne next occupied the house. Plan 52 of 1853 shows the changes in land ownership by that date. The house became a cheap lodging house and was then purchased by Alderman Verral who demolished it to make way for the stables of the Verral Transfer Company.
Relative Importance: The importance of this site lies in the importance of Justice Powell and and the type of accommodation available to him in Toronto’s pioneer period. Both Powell and his wife wielded considerable influence in the Town of York and upon its officials. Other members of the Powell family built much grander houses later, but this site and its former humble house are part of Upper Canada’s legal history.
Planning Implications: No archaeology is possible today, but a plaque commemorating Mr. Justice Powell and his wife would be appropriate. The Law Society of Upper Canada should be invited to participate in the development of a plaque for this, and other sites.
Reference Sources: Archives of the Law Society of Upper Canada; John Ross Robertson, Landmarks of Toronto, Vol. 1; James Orr collections.
Acknowledgements: James Orr.