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41. THE WIDMER HOME |
| Doctor
Christopher Widmer’s (1780-1858) second home in York was a large
two-storey, double gabled, red brick house on Palace (now Front) Street(1).
It was painted white and stood about 50 feet back from the road.
Widmer’s lane, a narrow path which lead to the house, was the
only method to enter by vehicle and created a quiet and private
entryway. The building enjoyed a view and splendid isolation until a
brick factory was established across from it. Widmer, of Buckinghamshire, was an army surgeon who came to Canada during the War of 1812(2). After the war he settled in York and was appointed a lifelong member of the Upper Canadian Medical Board. York had been in great need of an organizing body to regulate health care as it had been twice visited by Asiatic Cholera. The Board, established by an Act of Government in 1818, and was responsible for licensing medical practitioners in the province(3). Widmer also had a key role in the founding of the General Hospital. In 1812 the only hospital in York had been a make-shift one in St. James’ Church. A civilian hospital was required and planning for it began in 1817(4). The York General Hospital (1829-1856) was opened in June 1829(5). By 1834 there were 15 licensed doctors in Toronto and the hospital had been renamed the Toronto General Hospital(6). It moved in 1856, and the old hospital was demolished in 1862. |
Notes
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| © Town of York Historical Society, 2006- All rights reserved. |