John Cox Cottage
John Cox Cottage, at 469 Broadview Avenue, Toronto, is the oldest known house in the city still used as a residence that still resides on its original site. Deeded to John Cox by Governor Simcoe in 1796 [1], the first stage of the structure was a log cabin facing due south and was completed no later than 1807[2] — making it, arguably, the third oldest structure remaining in the city (and perhaps the second, should the Guild Log Cabin prove younger as artifacts appear to bear out).[3] It is older than both the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, and the various barracks in Fort York.
Built originally out of square-cut logs (as is Scadding Cabin), it overlooks what is now Riverdale Park and is aligned in the traditional strict east–west orientation, making it appear somewhat twisted to the north of the Toronto street grid, which was built successively around it. This true east-west orientation allows for the maximum use of daylight hours, to minimize the use of the expensive artificial lighting options of the period.
The south wall and half of the east–west walls remain concealed original log, while the northern parts where altered during a very early Victorian renovation, completed by architectural firm Langley, Langley and Burke.[4] The original log is still exposed in a rear bathroom.
The original attic and cedar roof survive under the later Victorian roof.
See also
References
- ^ by Charles Pelham Mulvany, Graeme Mercer Adam - published 1885, pg 78. "History of Toronto and county of York, Ontario".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Toronto, City of. "Heritage Property Detail". Inventory of Heritage Properties. Heritage Preservation Services. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
- ^ Toronto History FAQs
- ^ Built, TO. "Detailed Structure Information". Database of Buildings in Toronto. TOBuilt. Retrieved 22 July 2011.