2 Leopold Street is a 2.5 storey, detached house in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. The property is of the Queen Anne Revival style of architecture and is unique within the surrounding streetscape due to its distinct and prominent 2-storey porch and balcony structure situated around its main entryway. 32 Leopold Street, Toronto was constructed in 1899 and first occupied in 1900. 32 Leopold Street was originally the site of the Toronto Private Hospital. The distinct porch and balcony structure may date to the original use of the property as a private hospital. The Toronto Private Hospital - which had another location at the northwest corner of Jarvis Street and Charles Street East - appears to have only been in operation for 1 year (1900). The matron of the Parkdale site of the Toronto Private Hospital was Sarah E. Brennan. In 1901, 32 Leopold Street was converted to residential uses. Since the late 1980s, the property has been divided into 5 apartment units. 32 Leopold Street is presently (as of late October 2020 / early November 2020) for sale for $1 499 000 and should be considered at risk of significant alteration and/or demolition due to this sale.
Other past occupants of 32 Leopold Street, Toronto include:
The Craige family: The Craige family resided at 32 Leopold Street, Toronto between 1901 and 1903. The Craige family was originally from New Jersey and Pennsylvania (USA) and moved to the Toronto area in 1900. Seth Albert Craige Sr. (1854-1909) established the Toronto operations of the S. S. White Dental Company and was the Toronto manager of this company until 1906. His son - Seth Albert Craige Jr. (1877-1940) - also worked at the S. S. White Dental Company as a Clerk during this point in time. The S. S. White Dental Company was established in 1844 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA and was the largest global manufacturer of dental equipment, instruments, and prosthetics during this point in time. The company is still active as of 2020.
The Tough family: The Tough family resided at 32 Leopold Street between 1904 and 1915. The Tough family was originally from the Arnprior, Ontario region. Robert John Tough (1856/1857 - 1924) - listed as the owner of the house during this period - was involved in the lumber and mining industries of Eastern and Northern Ontario prior to the family moving to Toronto in the late 1890s. Robert John Tough and Margaret Tough (1866-1931) had 7 children - several of whom attended local schools in Parkdale.
The Ryan family: The Ryan family resided at 32 Leopold Street between 1917 and 1947. Hugh Alexander Ryan (1876-1926) - listed as owning the house until his death in February 1926 - was a well-known contractor in the Parkdale area. Hugh Alexander Ryan was also a veteran of the Canadian Contingent during the South African War (1899-1902). After Hugh Alexander Ryan's death of a sudden heart attack at 32 Leopold Street in February 1926, his widow - Claire (Clara) Ryan (1883-1967) - assumed ownership of the property and resided at it until 1947. Hugh and Clara Ryan had 3 children. Their only son - Jack (John) Ryan (1915-1942) - served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. Flight Sergeant Ryan was killed in action alongside 7 other Royal Canadian Air Force airmen in May 1942. The death of Flight Sergeant Jack Ryan was publicized in several regional media articles.
Further information - including additional details and information on other past occupants - are available in the attached reference documents, maps, and photographs.
