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Comment by Pat on March 19, 2010 at 11:06am

ROFL! You really don't want me to say I recognize you from that photo, do you?
At the moment, I have the research on the set of houses up at http://www3.sympatico.ca/patash/leslieville.html but will be updating and moving that over to http://www.patanderson.net in a couple of weeks, as I am in the middle of overhauling my website. I'll try to put an auto-redirect on the webpage when I move it (not sure if Sympatico allows it).

Comment by John L on March 19, 2010 at 10:56am

Pat, will you share your research? I went to archives a few months back, too, but barely scratched the surface in terms of research. There is fascinating stuff there, though. BTW, I believe we live in the same block of Victorians. You may not recognize me in this photo, however.

Comment by Pentimento Fine Art Gallery on March 19, 2010 at 10:53am

I do indeed, 1164 Queen Street East was the address of the home of George Leslie Esq. His home faced onto Jones Ave and Leslie Grove Park where he displayed the most beautiful of his plant material. He ran a seed store from a building behind his home here and was instrumental in developing seeds and crops that were winter hardy for the Canadian farmers on the Prairies. He really is an unsung hero in the development of this city and this country. I am really looking forward to the show. I was able to meet the Granddaughter of George Leslie who now lives in Oakville. Fascinating part of Toronto we live in!

Comment by Pat on March 19, 2010 at 10:46am

Very cool! Thanks for the info, John! I look forward to seeing it.
Went to the archives a week ago, and got another 10 years worth of research done on the little block of Victorian semis I live in.
I don't know if most people here know it, but the stretch from Queen south (beyond Eastern) and from Pape over to Leslie used to be the site of George Leslie & Sons Nursery, the largest nursery in the British Empire (so went one of their adverts).
And you've got some history under your store, don't you?
...pat.

Comment by Pentimento Fine Art Gallery on March 19, 2010 at 10:08am

This half hour delves into the wonderful history of Leslieville in addition to pointing out the architecture that still exists from it's earliest days. Did you know that the Duke was once called Uncle Tom's Cabin in reference to the large number of black business owners in Leslieville? Lots of interesting information about our community and it's founders.