This week's issue of the Kitchissippi Times is out, and features an article I wrote about the corner of Island Park Drive and Richmond, and particularly the controversial lot on the north-east corner which is the potential site of a 12-storey building by developer Mizrahi. Check out the link below to learn more about the really interesting history this lot has had, including it's years as a toll house, a gas station, and especially the original Wellington Street house which still exists today... but sadly not for long...
https://kitchissippitimes.wordpress.com/2015/10/16/landmark-building-of-wellington-st/
Check back this weekend, I'll have an expanded history of the lot posted here, including a lot more details on the old toll house (I'm limited in # of words in the newspaper, but on here I can ramble on in as much details as I like!).
Cheers!
In the newspaper, you didn't mention the change of addess. The Bella's house used to be 1 Richmond Road, but now Richmond starts at island park.
ReplyDeletehi Barbara! I couldn't fit the Richmond-Wellington address change into the article (its already confusing enough trying to explain the house as a "wellington street landmark" that is a symbol of the old days of Richmond Road :) But yes, up until about 10 years ago it was a Richmond Road address, when the numbering started at Western Avenue. Incidentally, it wasn't #1, it was #45 Richmond (as of the renumbering of 1941, prior to that it was #39 Richmond). Since the numbering started at Western, the house which is now the Diner (the long-time Steacy home) had the lowest number, which was #3 Richmond (though it originally was #1 Richmond until the 1941 renumbering - it may have been moved to #3 to make room in case something got built in the sliver of land adjoining the house). Thanks for reading & commenting, cheers!
ReplyDeleteI did know it wasn't #1....but I had forgotten the real number. Of course it was Western that was the boundary. I've lived in the "hood for 41 years, si there are things I remember and things I forget. Thanks for your great research.
DeleteI read your article in KT. I don't understand how it is possible that the building on Richmond near Island Park wasn't designated heritage. What gives?
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