Picture this. You’re standing before Colborne Lodge a charming Regency-style cottage nestled in Toronto’s High Park. Built in 1836 by John George Howard this isn’t just any house. It’s a piece of Toronto’s history.
Colborne Lodge is more than a pretty building. It tells the story of John Howard a fascinating man. He was an architect engineer and Toronto’s first City Surveyor. He built the lodge for himself and his wife Jemima. It was originally a one-story building but Howard later expanded it adding the upper level. Clever wasn’t he?
The name Colborne Lodge is a nod to Sir John Colborne. He was Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. He was also Howard’s first Canadian patron. Talk about connections.
Howard’s vision extended beyond the Lodge itself. He initially planned a farm. He even kept animals. Later he tried to create a new neighbourhood by selling off small plots of land. This was before High Park was the vast green space we know today. The terrain was challenging. Steep hills wetlands and sandy soil made development difficult.
In 1873 Howard gifted his 165 acres of land to the city. This was his way of creating a public park. He received a pension in return. He continued to live in the Lodge until his death in 1890. The city later expanded the park buying additional land. Now High Park is a massive 399 acres.
Howard and his wife are buried in the Howard Tomb overlooking Grenadier Pond. The tomb’s fence gate is a marvel. It came from St Paul’s Cathedral in London and was designed by the renowned Christopher Wren. This gate dates back to 1714. Howard had it shipped all the way from London in 1875.
Today Colborne Lodge is a museum. You can explore the house and its 1800s furnishings. Many of the original items belong to the Howards. The museum also showcases Howard’s own watercolours. They depict early Toronto. A visit to Colborne Lodge is a journey back in time. It’s a captivating glimpse into Toronto’s rich past. It’s a story of a remarkable man his vision and his legacy. Isn’t that amazing?