...turns into something unexpected as you are crossing the street.
[There beyond the bridge.]
Another innocuous street scene.
But for those of you in Toronto, this is not just any castle.
This is Casa Loma!
And he built this in a very tony, very expensive and buttoned down Toronto neighbourhood in the 1910's.
Now, today, people get upset when someone builds a "monster home" next to them. Maybe a 5,000 square foot behemoth.
Can you imagine what the neighbours were thinking when word got out about the plans for this young, brash industrialist's home?
[You can see the "regular" homes in the neighbourhood at the top of the picture.]
Well outrage is what greeted young Henry. Tempered outrage, of course, as this is Toronto The Good we are talking about here.
But let me tell you, Letters to the Editor were frequent and biting. A real bun fight ensued.
But all to no avail.
Well that didn't happen. But more Letters to the Editor did!
Failed, because he went bankrupt before he finished it and it has been languishing in various hands ever since.
And he died in virtual poverty. But thousands of people lined the streets to witness his funeral and he was buried with full military honours.
He was a larger than life figure that will be remembered by Torontonians for years to come.
3 comments:
great commentary
never been close to it
... I led the conga line out the window onto the adjoining patio at my high school formal at Casa Loma. I recall listening to "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins in the parking lot which was certainly well suited to the evening. We also washed down chips with Vodka and abit of OJ. The old screw driver. Let the good times roll if you know what I am saying. Also, DJ'd there many times in the late 80's. Very grand place owned by the Kiwanis Club at that time. Never made it all the way to the bell tower. Close but had too many distractions along the way.
Great reminiscing. And lots of good (and fuzzy) memories of that place, too.
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