182 Queens Ave. is an 1898 [correction: 1902] historic house in Mimico now facing demolition

Updates:

Correction: 182 Queens Ave. in Mimico was built in 1902, new evidence indicates, not around 1898 as earlier noted.

A subsequent post is entitled: Committee of Adjustment hearing (deferred on Feb. 23, 2021) regarding 182 Queens Ave., Mimico, will now take place on March 23, 2021.

To access details about the applications, enter “182 Queens Ave.” at this link. Note that there are three separate applications; you have to use the little navigation arrows in the top bar of the pop-up to see all of them.

[End of updates]

182 Queens Ave., Mimico

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You may be familiar with the story behind 98 Superior Ave., a historic home in Mimico that was recently demolished.

You may also be aware that a historic building at 58 Wheatfield Road in Mimico was fortunately saved from demolition in 2019.

On Feb. 23, 2021 the Etobicoke York Committee of Adjustment will be reviewing an application to demolish 182 Queen’s Ave and sever the lot.

182 Queens Ave.

Research indicates the home was built in 1898; the first owners had moved in by 1899.

It has been claimed in a 2020 application related to the property that the building dates from 1940; the evidence indicates, however, that the building actually dates from 1898.

I would like to suggest that if you are a resident of Toronto, you are in a position to help save this house. Here’s what you can do:

1) Email Councillor Mark Grimes at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca and let him know we still have time to save 182 Queens Ave.

2) Email the Committee of Adjustment. Please email a message to the CoA at coa.ey@toronto.ca no later than 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021.

PLEASE NOTE: The letter must be sent in PDF format. If you need help in converting your email to PDF please contact me at jpill@preservedstories.com and I will help with the process.

Please share this message as soon as possible with others who are in your circle of contacts.

A letter need not be complicated. I would suggest you copy the text below and/or take the text as a starting point and create your own individualized version:

Sample letter:

We understand that an application has been made to the city regarding 182 Queens Ave. in Mimico which the current owners wish to demolish and then subdivide the lot.

Since this would become another lost relic of an earlier time, we would rather see this building, built in 1898, remain as it is for future generations to enjoy as an example of its time and place.

The first inhabitants of the house were Robert Murray Herod, a bricklayer, and his wife Martha Jane Herod. Robert Herod, born in Hagersville, Ontario in 1855, was the son of William Herod and Ann Murray.

Robert Herod first appears in the Toronto City Directory on the west side of Queens Avenue, Mimico in 1899. Given his occupation he most likely built the house himself.

The information for the 1899 Directory would have been assembled in late 1898. The 1899 date is confirmed as Robert Herod and his family were living in the house and enumerated there on the 1901 Canadian Census.

William Herod, the son of the original inhabitants, was killed in the First World War on September 3, 1918. His name appears on the Vimy War Memorial which contains the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as ‘missing, presumed dead’ in France.

Once such a building is torn down a piece of our irreplaceable local history is gone forever.

We note that another historic building, at 98 Superior Ave. not far from 182 Queens Ave., has recently been demolished.

We draw inspiration, however, from the fact that still another historic house, at 58 Wheatfield Road in Mimico, has been saved from demolition and has been brought back into first-rate shape thanks to the care and enthusiasm of its new owners.

We love these old buildings and losing any of them is a shame. There are a lot of lesser homes that would better suit demolition and replacement than this one. We heartily urge you to refuse this application and allow it to go on the market as a residential home once again.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS

Notes regarding history of 182 Queens Ave

Robert Murray Herod House – 182 Queens Ave., Mimico

A review of research sources indicates that the house was built in 1898 (despite the fact it does not appear on the 1910 Goad’s Fire Insurance Plan which from experience is not that accurate).

William Herod, son of the original owners of 182 Queens Ave., was killed in the First World war on September 3, 1918.

The first inhabitant of the house was Robert Murray Herod, a bricklayer who was born in Hagersville, Ontario in 1855. He was the son of William Herod and Ann Murray. He first appears in the Toronto City Directory on the west side of Queens Avenue, Mimico in 1899. Given his occupation he most likely built the house himself.

The information for the 1899 Directory would have been assembled in late 1898. The 1899 date is confirmed as Robert Herod and his family were living in the house and enumerated there on the 1901 Canadian Census.

http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/ViewFrame.jsp?id=13815&highlight=9 and https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1901&op=pdf&id=z000119022

Robert Herod lived in the house for the rest of his life dying there at the age of 88 on February 17, 1944 and was buried in Park Lawn Cemetery. His death registration listed his occupation as a retired contractor.

His wife Martha Jane died in the house on December 4, 1945 and was buried in Park Lawn Cemetery.

Their son William Herod was killed in the First World War on September 3, 1918. His name appears on the Vimy War Memorial which contains the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as ‘missing, presumed dead’ in France.

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/1569173

We can add that James Herod, who as I understand lived nearby on the same street, is buried in Oakville. He also served in the First World War. He was shot in the left arm.