Picture a modest log cabin perched atop a steep hill. This is Castle Frank in Toronto. It’s not the imposing fortress its name suggests. Instead imagine a simple thirty by fifty foot structure built of white pine. This was the summer home of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe his wife Elizabeth and their children.
Built in 1794 Castle Frank wasn’t just a house. It was a symbol of early Toronto. It embodied the balance between the rugged wilderness and the growing order of the new colony. The Simcoes chose this spot overlooking the Don River for its beauty and its relative freedom from pesky mosquitoes. Elizabeth Simcoe’s diary offers a vivid picture of their life at Castle Frank. She describes the steep climb parties and the overall atmosphere of their little retreat.
The design of the house was surprisingly sophisticated for its time. It followed a Neoclassical style. Four large pine trunks formed a colonnade at the front giving it the look of a Grecian temple. This European influence contrasted sharply with the humble materials. The logs were rough-hewn and the clapboard siding was simple. The windows were mere openings with shutters no glass was ever installed.
Castle Frank wasn’t just a home; it hosted many gatherings. Summer picnics and winter sleigh rides were common. The Simcoe family and their guests would use a path cut by soldiers from Parliament Street. The river also served as a convenient route. But this simple dwelling was short-lived. The Simcoes left in 1796 never to return. Castle Frank was later used by Administrator Peter Russell until 1807. Sadly careless fishermen accidentally burned it down in 1829.
Only a few traces of Castle Frank remain today. The name lives on in a street and a subway station. Elizabeth Simcoe’s writings however give us a priceless window into early Toronto life. Her descriptions of Castle Frank and its surroundings paint a vivid picture of this humble yet significant landmark. So next time you hear the name Castle Frank remember it wasn’t a castle but a charming testament to Toronto’s humble beginnings.