Painting, 8 1/2 “ by 11”, acrylic on stretched canvas.
The above painting of 68 Oxford Street, in the Kensington Market, was completed in the summer of 2001. The house has since been demolished. It was constructed in 1890, as a home for John C. Callard. The style of the home was reminiscent of the 1850s and 1860s, particularly those in rural Ontario. I was unable to find any information on Mr. Collard to ascertain if he was a retired farmer or simply preferred a style for his house that hearkened to a few decades earlier.
The photos below were taken in January of 2001, snow piled high around the house at 68 Oxford Street.
The original house at 68 Oxford Street
The photos below reveal that two houses were constructed on the site of the demolished structure. Although modern, they fit sensitively into the neighbourhood as they complement the Victorian houses that surround it. It is difficult to believe that it was possible to build two large homes on the small lot. It is a pity that the old house did not survive, but I must admit that it was in quite bad shape a the time of demolition. As well, with the high price of property, the new homes provide much more living space.
To view other posts about the Kensington Market:
A new meat market opens on Baldwin Street in the Kensington Market
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/08/15/new-meat-market-opens-in-kensingtonsanagans-meat-locker/
Automobile-free Sundays in the Kensington Market
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/06/08/automobile-free-sundays-in-the-kensington-market/
The Moon Bean Coffee Company on St. Andrew’s Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/05/21/moon-bean-coffee-company-cafe-kensington-market/
Enjoying the Kensington Market at Christmas Christmas
market/https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/12/01/enjoying-the-kensington-market-at-
Early morning in the Kensington Market
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/06/07/early-morning-kensington-
Kensington Market in the winter
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/12/01/kensington-market-blanketed-in-winters-white/
Kensington Market – an ever-changing scene
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/12/21/the-ever-changing-kensington-market-in-downtown-toronto/
A lament for the demise of the European Meat Market on Baldwin Street
The row houses on Wales Avenue on Bellevue Square
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/03/26/discovering-the-kensington-market/
Discovering the Kensington Market
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/03/29/kensington-market-part-2-doug-taylor-the-peterkin-home/
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