Description:

97 Maitland Street is a 1.5 storey Workers' Cottage located at the southwest corner of Maitland Street and Alexander Place in the Church-Wellesley Village neighbourhood of Toronto. 97 Maitland Street was constructed in 1867/1868 and is a rare surviving example of a Confederation-era Workers' Cottage in the Church-Wellesley Village neighbourhood of Toronto.

Presently, there are only 2 surviving Workers' Cottages in the Church-Wellesley Village neighbourhood: 95 and 97 Maitland Street. Of these, 97 Maitland Street is the older. Historical photographs indicate that there were previously more Workers' Cottages in the neighbourhood, but many were demolished in the 20th century during various redevelopment projects.  

97 Maitland Street was formerly known as 83 Maitland Street prior to 1889/1890. The present-day address - 97 Maitland Street - has been used since 1890.  

97 Maitland Street immediately abuts 95 Maitland Street. The exterior of 97 Maitland Street has been reclad with stucco (on its primary elevation) and modern siding (on its side elevation). The west, ground floor window on its primary (Maitland Street) elevation appears to have been converted into a door, likely to allow access to residential spaces in the building. A unique bay window with stained glass panels exists on the east (laneway) elevation of 97 Maitland Street.

Maitland Street - A Brief History:

Maitland Street runs east-west between Yonge Street and Jarvis Street. Maitland Street bisects former Park Lots 6, 7, and 8. Alexander Wood (1772-1844) later purchased a section of these Park Lots in the early 19th century which became known as Molly's Wood Bush.

Maitland Street was created in the late 1840s and early 1850s during the subdivision of the Alexander Wood Estate.  Maitland Street marked the approximate northern boundary of Alexander Wood's land holdings in the area. Early residential development had occured on Maitland Street by 1853-1856. The subdivision of the Alexander Wood Estate also saw Church Street extended north of Carlton Street, with this section of the street opened to the public in May 1847.

Maitland Street is named after Sir Peregrine Maitland (1777-1854). Maitland was a British colonial administrator that served as the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada (1818-1828) and as the  Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia (1828-1834). Maitland's legacy requires a critical examination, as he was one of the first British colonial administrators to advocate for the use of residential schools to assimilate Indigenous children in Canada. The Maitland family also owned plantations in the West Indies. 

Sir Peregrine Maitland is also the eponym of Maitland Place, which runs east-west between Jarvis Street and Homewood Avenue; and Maitland Terrace, which runs north-south between Maitland Street and Wellesley Street East. 

During the early 20th century, Maitland Street became home to some of Toronto's earliest apartment buildings, such as the Royal George Apartments (1911) at 82-84 Maitland Street and The Maitlands (1911) at 36-42 Maitland Street. Later, during the mid-20th century, Maitland Street became home to some of Canada's early high-rise apartment buildings, such as The Village Green (1965) at 55 Maitland Street. These apartment developments saw extensive demolition of 19th century and early 20th century houseform buildings on Maitland Street. 

To the immediate east of 97 Maitland Street is a complex of heritage buildings at 99-113 Maitland Street - including a former Quakers (Friends) Meeting House and several houses - which is presently home to Canada's National Ballet School.

First Occupants - Simon Mendel Fuerst and Family:

The first occupants of 97 Maitland Street were Simon Mendel Fuerst and family who resided here from 1867/1868 until 1870.

Simon Mendel Fuerst was born in Prussia in circa 1820. By the 1850s, he had moved to England where he was employed as a book-binder in the Bethnal Green district of London. In 1855, he married Emma Ross Smithson (born c. 1830) of London. By 1859, the Fuerst family had emigrated to Toronto.

In Toronto, Simon Mendel Fuerst became a grain merchant. He was one of at least 3 grain and flour merchants to live on Maitland Street during the late 1860s, the other two being Frederick Augustus Whitney (of 518 Church Street and 7 Maitland Street) and William Galbraith (of 37 Maitland Street). 

Simon and Emma Fuerst had 7 children - 3 daughters and 4 sons - born between 1856 and 1873. The Fuerst family were members of the Church of England as of 1871. Simon Mendel Fuerst died in Toronto in 1883. 

Later Occupants and Uses:

Please note the following list is not exhaustive of all former occupants and uses of 97 Maitland Street and aims to provide a general overview of former occupants and uses. Dates are approximate. 

1871:

In 1871, 97 Maitland Street was home to Edward Y. Parker and family. Edward Y. Parker was a local builder. The Parker family were originally from England. In 1872, the Parkers moved next door to 95 Maitland Street. Then, in 1873, the Parkers to 457 Church Street. 

1872-1873, 1876-1878, and 1882-1885:

In 1872-1873, 1876-1878 and 1882-1885, 97 Maitland Street was home to William West and family. William West was born in England in circa 1816 and was a shoemaker by trade. William West was married to Mary West. William and Mary West had 2 children: Sarah West (born c. 1844) and Ebenezer West (born c. 1853). The West family were Baptist. By 1871, Sarah West was employed as a machinist; whereas Ebenezer West was also a shoemaker.  

Circa 1886-1887:

In circa 1886-1887, 97 Maitland Street was home to Thomas Parkinson. Thomas Parkinson was a co-owner of Powell & Parkinson - a marble works based at 6-8 Gould Street, Toronto. 

Circa 1890:

In circa 1890, 97 Maitland Street was home to Daniel Halton McGeough (1855-1937) and family. Daniel Halton McGeough was born in Port Hope (Ontario) in circa 1855. Daniel Halton McGeough was initially a match manufacturer and later became a foreman at D. W. Thompson & Company - a company which specialized in upholstering supplies. Daniel Halton McGeough was married to Adeline Shanahan (1860-1939). Daniel and Adeline McGeough had 11 children - 7 daughters and 4 sons. The McGeough family were Irish-Canadian and Catholic. The family later moved to Peel County. Daniel Halton McGeough died in 1937. 

Circa 1895-1897/1898

In circa 1895-1897/1898, 97 Maitland Street was home to Samuel E. Clayton. Samuel E. Clayton was a motorman at the Toronto Railway Company.

Circa 1900:

In circa 1900, 97 Maitland Street was home to David Gordon. David Gordon was a fireman at Station House 3. 

Circa 1910: 

In circa 1910, 97 Maitland Street was home to William T. Cooke. 

Circa 1920:

In circa 1920, 97 Maitland Street was home to Samuel Herron. Samuel Herron was a watchmaker at Eaton's. 

Circa 1930:

In circa 1930, 97 Maitland Street was home to John Haggerty.

Circa 1940:

In circa 1940, 97 Maitland Street was home to Louis S. Mill. Louis S. Mill was the Chief Engineer at the House of Industry on Elm Street.

Circa 1950-1960:

In circa 1950-1960, 97 Maitland Street was home to Louis Weston. Louis Weston was a wireless operator. Louis Weston owned the house as of this point in time.

Circa 1969:

In circa 1969, 97 Maitland Street was home to Arthur Willforth. Arthur Willforth was a salesman at York Mills Pontiac. 

Circa early-to-mid 2000s:

In the early-to-mid 2000s, 97 Maitland Street was home to Adam & Eve - a chocolatier, espresso, and gelato lounge. 

Present Day:

97 Maitland Street presently contains a mix of commercial and residential space. The most recent commercial tenant was Distinct Design hair salon, which had been in business at 97 Maitland Street since about 2010 and which closed in 2021. 97 Maitland Street - including both its commercial and residential units - has been for lease since June 2021. 

(Research by Adam Wynne)