|
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Model Map Navigation: Previous Site <<< Legend >>> Next Site |
36. CAMPBELL HOUSE |
| William
Campbell was born in 1758 in Caithness, Scotland. These Campbells were
a branch of the Diarmid clan who had emigrated north to Caithness in
the late 17th-century(1).
William was well educated and lived comfortably until he heard news of
the rebellion in the American colonies. Against the advice of many, he
joined the 76th Foot, a Highland Regiment(2). Despite his efforts Campbell was captured in Yorktown, Virginia in 17813. He arrived a refugee at Chedabucto Bay, Nova Scotia in 1784. Thanks to his education and enterprising nature, Campbell became a lawyer. His appointment as Attorney-General for Cape Breton Island lead to his 1811 appointment to the King’s Bench in Upper Canada(4). In 1825 he was appointed Chief Justice of Upper Canada, and was knighted upon his retirement in 1829(5). Sir William Campbell’s prestigious career was mirrored in the magnificence of his home. The late neoclassical style brick house was built on Duke Street (now Adelaide) at the head of Frederick Street. It was on a slight elevation which offered a view of the town and harbour. Some unique architectural features of the house included an oval window in the pediment, elegant tall windows along the front, a curved staircase and a pet alligator in the garden(6). The Campbell home changed hands many times following the death of Sir William in 1834. It was the home of James Gordon, John Strathay and later a vinegar warehouse. The final commercial owner was Coutts Hallmark Co. who bought the house in 1962 and targeted it for demolition(7). However they instead decided to donate it to the Advocates Society, a group of heritage conscious courtroom lawyers, who arranged for the home to be moved to land donated by the Canada Life Insurance Company(8). On Good Friday April 1, 1972 the 300-ton, 41 foot high, Campbell home was moved to the northwest corner of Queen Street West and University Avenue. A grant from the Ontario Heritage Foundation allowed the Advocates to restore the home(9). Campbell House was reopened in 1974 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. |
Notes
|
| Model Map Navigation: Previous Site <<< Legend >>> Next Site |
| © Town of York Historical Society, 2006- All rights reserved. |