Braemore (1877)

“Drumsnab” of Wychwood

Wychwood Park is my favorite neighborhood in Toronto. It is so much more than a park. It is like Narnia with old villas.

Quoting a follower on my Instagram account, what she said pretty much sums up the allure of Wychwood Park.

“It is magical during all seasons. With the curved paths, it is easy to get lost, ending up in someone’s backyard. You always discover something new.”

That was pretty much how I came across “Braemore”, hidden behind the tree line, at the far corner of the park.

In 1874, artist Marmaduke Matthews and his businessman friend Alex Jardine (owner of Pure Gold Manufacturing) bought 22 acres of land. Matthews built his house in 1874, naming it Wychwood, after Wychwood Forest in his homeland, Oxfordshire, England.

“Braemore” in old Gaelic, means on a hill / slope. Jardine’s house was built near the Southwest corner of the park. Perched on a hill, overlooking what is now, Davenport Road (see below photo from Toronto Archives), one perhaps could see as far as Lake Ontario back in those days.

At its peak, Braemore estate measured 10 acres, of which 3 acres were orchards of various fruits, with a few cows, horses, and a private creek.

Compared to other houses, the grandness of DuVernet House, or stylish Eden Smith inspired steep roof of Upland Cottage, Braemore may lack architectural significance, but it has a rustic, down to earth charm about it.

Historically, like Drumsnab (3 posts before) in Rosedale, Braemore is the 2^nd oldest house at Wychwood Park. Jardine, and his friend, Matthew’s house, really were the pioneers of the neighborhood.

Without their vision, Wychwood Park would not exist the way it is today.

22 Wychwood Park, Toronto