If there is one word to describe Drumsnab, it would be idyllic.

With the scattered mid-summer sun filtering through the trees, this could be anywhere in Lake Como, The Cotswolds or French Riveria.

But no, just a minute walk away is one of Toronto’s busiest streets, Bloor. Just a minute drive is the off-ramp to one of Toronto’s busiest highways, Don Valley Parkway.

Drumsnab truly captures the allure of Rosedale, an idyllic oasis of a suburb with such proximity to prosperity.

Originally a single floor Regency style cottage with a wide verandah, Drumsnab’s humble and reserved styling predates most 1920’s stockbroker mansions by nearly 100 years, a time when Rosedale was considered “rural” Toronto.

Without direct road access and paved roads, the 1-hour carriage ride to downtown might be the equivalent of living in Newmarket now. Photo of Drumsnab in 1969 (see below), from Toronto Archives.

In 1830’s when Francis Cayley first purchased the land in Rosedale, his closest neighbor was probably William Jarvis, a fellow pioneer. His house, known simply as “Rosedale House”, the 1^st house in Rosedale, was nearly 2 km west.

With the white façade, off centered wide verandah, 3-sided bay window, off-centered entrance, generous French windows, the asymmetry of the regency style is a relaxing departure from the formality of traditional Georgian style. The stone wall at nearly two and a half feet thick was concaved near the door to make space for a verandah planter.

Later in 1856, the 2^nd floor was added when Francis’s brother moved in. The wrought iron balcony is one of the largest in Rosedale, extending the full width of the verandah supported by decorative lacy triangular brackets.

“Drumsnab” in old English means hard sugar cones. Perched on a series of sugar cone shape hills, overlooking the Don Valley, Rosedale Ravine and Lake Ontario, visitors used to call it “the most picturesque spot outside of Toronto”.

Over the years, the hills have been flattened and the original “Rosedale House” was demolished in early 1900’s. Drumsnab holds the torch as the oldest existing house in Rosedale.

5 Drumsnab Road, Rosedale