Toronto

Castle Frank

Bloor Street East at Castle Frank.

Castle Frank, at the south-eastern corner of Rosedale, is an affluent neighborhood of single family homes nestled between the Don Valley and the Rosedale Ravine. Castle Frank was the name of the summer home of Lieutenant-Colonel John Graves Simcoe (the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada), his wife Elizabeth, and their two children Francis and Sophia. The cottage was a simple log cabin with upright logs as columns at one end. Elizabeth named the cottage after her son.

Sketch of Castle Frank drawn by Elizabeth Simcoe in 1796.

Simcoe wanted the capital of Upper Canada to be established at what is now London, Ontario. But he was overruled by Governor-in-Chief Lord Dorchester who wanted the capital at Toronto.

Rosedale Valley Road, seen from Bloor Street East.

Castle Frank sits at the western end of the Prince Edward Viaduct, which was built in 1917. When built, the viaduct already had accomodation for a subway. But the subway across the Don Valley wasn't built for another half century.

Rosedale Heights School of the Arts.

Castle Frank TTC station.

Home on Castle Frank Crescent.