450 Pape Avenue - William Harris House
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My name is James Harris and I am new to this forum. I am looking for some general support regarding my attempt to get my ancestral family home at 450 Pape Avenue (formerly known as William Harris House/Cranfield House) nominated/designated/listed as a Heritage home by the City of Toronto. With the support of local residents and my extended family we have taken the first steps and the nomination form is about halfway done.
The Salvation Army were sold the home by my great uncle in 1930 and it has suffered some expected modifications/damage since then. We all, as a family, have watched it decline slowly since 1930, but we are aware that the S.A. did their best to maintain the home over the years and thankfully most of the historical details are still very much intact.
The panic now is that the S.A. have put the home on the market that it may be purchased by a developer or someone that may split the home into apartments or a rooming house. The clearing of trees has already begun. In other words, time is very little and the window of opportunity is limited. In order to protect the home it needs to be designated before it is purchased I think. I am aware that an effort to nominate the home was made in 2005 and I am not sure why this did not happen.
This home/property should be protected for literally dozens of reasons, aside from my personal reason that my family constructed it.
I would like to attach a photograph of the home as it was and as it is now, but am still trying to figure that out.
I have been keenly interested in Toronto history for most of my life (I am 43 years old) and have been researched many Toronto families that I have included in my family history. Primarily the Harris, Wagstaff, MacDonald, Hill, Quirmbach/Quentin, Corrigan, Flavelle and McLean families.
For more information about my research/knowledge please check out my website at www.harris-history.com/index.html The site has not been updated since April, but I plan to upload a section re. 450 Pape Avenue over the next few days.
I am glad to be part of this forum and I truly hope I will find some kindred spirits here. I do not mind volunteering my time and skills either if required.
Hoping to help and be helped.
Jim Harris
Comments
450 Pape Ave.
My Family has been in the Danforth, Riverdale Area for over 80 years. just about 9 houses to the West of Harris House. I too am very concerned about the possible destruction of this great mansion. As a child, I remember driving by this house only to wonder what would become of it. I found out today through my Real Estate agent, there is a pending sale on the home. I would very much like to be a part of this movement to keep the house alive and well. Thank you. Robert.
450 Pape Avenue
Robert;
I have sent you a reply to your email address...I do apologize for the time it took me to do so.
Jim Harris
Hello, I have spoken with
Hello,
I have spoken with the Chair of our Conservation Committee, who provides this advice:
The nomination for a property to be listed on the City's Heritage Inventory and thus considered for heritage designation must go through the local Preservation Panel. The Panel must agree that the property is worthy of listing and heritage designation. The criteria for heritage designation are very clearly stated under Section 9/06 of the Ontario Heritage Act. The City can make a case for heritage designation if the property meets one or more of those criteria. Council will take into consideration the recommendation from the local Preservation Panel and adopt a heritage designation. However, the owner, or any other person can come forward and object to the designation which means the matter is referred to the Ontario Conservation Review Board. The Board holds a public hearing and in the end make a recommendation to City Council. Council takes the Board's recommendation into consideration but its decision to designate or not is final.
Mr. Harris is best to work on a case for heritage conservation by making himself familiar with Regulation 9/06 and building a case based on the criteria. Community support is also important. Heritage Toronto would be willing to give support once a case has been provided.
Rebecca Carson - Heritage Nomimation
Hello Rebecca;
I have done what you mentioned in your post. The nomination was completed and sent off in mid August. I am currently awaiting a reply and hope to see one soon. Community support is growing and on Sept. 4 Danielle Milley wrote an article on the home that was featured in the East York Mirror as well. We are keeping our fingers crossed...more media items will be on the way.
Thank you for your information.
Jim Harris