Whether commercial or residential, Georgian architecture was prominent in York. Blacksmith Isaac Perry’s 1829 Georgian double house on the east side of George Street, north of Duke (now Adelaide) was an example of Georgian style comparable
to Howard’s Post Office [site 34](1). Perry’s residence was equally fashionable with spacious rooms and three-storeys. Its difference lay in the purpose of the structure.
In 1834 Perry’s house came under the ownership of Hamilton resident John Arnold. It is not clear whether Arnold rebuilt or preserved Perry’s original house. However Arnold chose to become an absentee landlord, and rented-out the double house. City of Toronto Assessment Rolls of the day cite Arnold as the owner, William as landlord and a series of various tenants.
The Arnold house contrasts with the stately Campbell house [site 36] as it was not a family home but a rental property. They were large buildings, and Arnold likely had some difficulty finding tenants because most renters preferred areas slightly west or to the north, not so close to the city centre. Two known tenants were Mrs. Crombie’s school from 1852-60 on the left, and on the right, Robert Manners, a relative of the Duke of Rutland(2).
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