Description: 

243 Yonge Street is a 3-storey building located on the east side of Yonge Street opposite the Toronto Eaton Centre and approximately 75 meters north of Shuter Street in Downtown Toronto.  

While a large section of the exterior of 243 Yonge Street is covered with modern advertising and cladding materials, the visible underlying section displays signs of brick construction with a mid-19th century design — potentially originally Georgian Revival or Italianate in style. The exterior has also been painted beige/white. The modern advertising and cladding materials and paint could be removed during potential future restoration.

Further research is required to discern when precisely 243 Yonge Street was built. A building is depicted on the site in James Cane's 1842 Topographical Plan of the City and Liberties of Toronto, Sir Sandford Fleming's 1851 Topographical Plan of the City of Toronto, and William Somerville Boulton's 1858 Atlas of the City of Toronto and Vicinity. Notably, the building that appears in Boulton's 1858 Atlas has the same footprint as the extant building, albeit is depicted as being of a wooden frame construction rather than masonry. Historical accounts indicate that by 1877 the extant brick building was on site, with this being further confirmed by subsequent Fire Insurance Plans.  It is possible that Howarth's Drug Store (see below) may have renovated this wooden frame building to add the masonry exterior and/or that Boulton's 1858 Atlas may have depicted a partially constructed 243 Yonge Street (as Howarth's Drug Store moved to the site around 1859/1860) and/or the building was erroneously depicted as being wooden frame in Boulton's 1858 Atlas. 

Beginning in the 1920s, 243 Yonge Street became known as the Wanless Building. The John Wanless Company — a prominent Toronto-based jewellery and fine goods company — operated a store from the building from 1916 until the 1940s. Please note that 372-372A Yonge Street (1864) — located several blocks north — is also known as the John Wanless Building. 

The extant cornice does not appear to be the original cornice. Historical photographs indicate the current cornice was added post-1971. The 2nd floor, central window was also enlarged post-1971. A rear addition - backing onto O'Keefe Lane - has also been added to the building.  

To the immediate south of 243 Yonge Street is the heritage listed Art Metropole Building (1911) at 241 Yonge Street.

Early Occupants and Uses: 

Between 1859/1860 and 1909/1910, 243 Yonge Street was home to Howarth's Drug Store (later known as Howarth & Brother and Samuel Howarth). Further information on Howarth's Drug Store (later known as Howarth & Brother and Samuel Howarth) has been included below.

Prior to 1859/1860, 243 Yonge Street may have potentially been known as 174 Yonge Street (the standardized address numbering system in Toronto was introduced in the early 1860s). During the 1840s and early 1850s, 174 Yonge Street was associated with David Sproul(e) who was a cabinetmaker by trade that also operated the Rose and Thistle Inn from the property. Subsequently, by 1855/1856, 174 Yonge Street was home to Mrs. William Hudson, a shirt manufacturer. By 1858/1859, it was home to James Leask's shop. Leask was a "family grocer, wine and spirit merchant, and wholesale dealer in snuff" (City of Toronto Directory 1859).  

Howarth's Drug Store:

Between 1859/1860 and 1909/1910, 243 Yonge Street was home to Howarth's Drug Store (later known as Howarth & Brother and Samuel Howarth).

Howarth's Drug Store was founded by John Howarth in 1849. The business was originally based on Queen Street West near Elizabeth Street and next to the Canada Chemical Company. In 1859/1860, Howarth's Drug Store expanded and opened its location at 243 Yonge Street. Howarth's original Queen Street West shop was destroyed by fire in either 1862 or 1866 (historical accounts vary as to the year). Following the 1860s fire, all operations of Howarth's Drug Store were transferred to the 243 Yonge Street location. 

John Howarth was born on 10 September 1813 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. John Howarth married Maria Nicholls (1814-1894). By the early 1840s, the Howarths were living in Canada. John and Maria Nicholls had 8 children — 3 daughters and 5 sons — born between 1841 and 1857. At least three of their sons, John Lillot Howarth (1841-1879), Charles Howarth (1847-1900), and Samuel Howarth (1854-1909) were involved in the operations of Howarth's Drug Store. 

Prior to establishing Howarth's Drug Store in 1849, John Howarth worked as an assistant at Joseph Beckett & Company — an apothecary at 12 King Street West.

J. Timperlake's Illustrated Toronto: Past and Present (1877) provides the following biographical sketch of Howarth's Drug Store: 

"Mr. Howarth's Drug Store is situated at No. 243 Yonge Street, and is one of the oldest houses on the street, retaining its original name. Mr. Howarth is one of the oldest traders of Toronto, having commenced business on Queen Street in 1849, and ten years afterwards removed to Yonge Street. The store is a neat white brick building of three storeys, and is fitted up in a very chaste manner, the stock consisting of all the staple and fancy articles found in all drug stores transacting an extensive business. Mr. Howarth is noted for the large dispensing trade he has for many years carried on."  (page 357)

An February 1882 article in The Globe  notes that Howarth's Drug Store had a "massive and elegant show window" on Yonge Street. 

In 1894, Howarth's Drug Store was involved in a significant legal case. This case explored whether druggists (pharmacists) had the authority under the Medical Act to prescribe and recommend specific medications. Reportedly, the Howarths were prescribing and recommending medication to customers based on their claimed and reported symptomology, rather than the customers presenting a prescription or specifically requesting products on their own volition. Samuel Howarth was later embroiled in a similar situation during a subsequent investigation by a medical inspector in 1901. 

Following the retirement of John Howarth from the drugstore business in the mid-1880s, Howarth's Drug Store became known as Howarth & Brother. During this period, Charles Howarth and Samuel Howarth ran the business. Following the death of Charles Howarth in 1900, Samuel Howarth ran the business and it became known as Samuel Howarth. 

Several members of the Howarth family - including John and Maria Howarth - initially lived above their shop at 243 Yonge Street. Other members of the Howarth family lived nearby, including elsewhere on Yonge Street and on neighbouring Victoria Street. John and Maria Howarth had later moved to 412 Church Street by the mid-to-late 1880s. The Howarth family also operated an art supplies store next door at 241 Yonge Street during the mid-to-late 1880s and early 1890s.

By the early 20th century, the upstairs of 243 Yonge Street had been subdivided into a mix of commercial and residential units. The commercial tenants included dental practices, a dressmakers' studio, and a photography studio.  

Howarth's Drug Store (also known as Howarth & Brother and Samuel Howarth) closed shortly after the death of Samuel Howarth in 1909.

Later Occupants and Uses:

Circa 1910/1911:

In circa 1910/1911, 243 Yonge Street housed the following: Walker & Meehan — gentlemen's furnishings; Dr. H. Clare Prichard — a dentist; Frank William Micklethwaite — a photographer; and John J. Dodds — an elevator operator at the Timothy Eaton Company.

Frank William Micklethwaite:

Between 1910 and 1925, Frank William Micklethwaite (1849-1925) had his studio in the upstairs of 243 Yonge Street. Micklethwaite was an important and prominent Canadian photographer. Following the death of Frank W. Micklethwaite in 1925, his son Frederick Micklethwaite continued to operate a photography studio from 243 Yonge Street until the 1930s.

Mike Filey provides the following biography of Frank William Micklethwaite in From Horse Power to Horsepower — Toronto: 1890-1930 (1993):  

"Frank Micklethwaite was born in England, though the family later moved to Ireland. The son of a photographer, Micklethwaite had a chance to learn his profession, possible as an apprentice, before emigrating to Canada around 1875. After a brief stint as a proofreader at the Mail newspaper in Toronto, he opened his commercial photography studio at his home on Queen Street West, in 1878. For the next 30 years, Micklethwaite operated a studio at various locations around the city, finally settling his business at 243 Yonge Street.

Micklethwaite's growing reputation and financial stability improved steadily, and numerous assignments came his way. Between 1891 and 1898, for example he was commissioned by the City of Toronto to document a number of public works projects. These photographs, for which Micklethwaite was paid a total of $310, record major reconstruction of the city's water and sewage systems, street-grading projects, and bridge improvements. Respected by his peers, Micklethwaite was asked in 1893 to participate in the judging of the second annual Toronto Camera Club exhibition.

In 1895 Micklethwaite's eldest son, John, joined the business, an event repeated in 1898 and in 1899, when sons Percy and Fred became active partners. The business continued to produce quality images that document many Toronto landmarks, street views, and prominent social gatherings. 

Micklethwaite also operated a seasonal studio at Port Sandfield in the Muskoka lakes. In failing health towards the end of his life, Micklethwaite increasingly entrusted the operation of the studio to his sons, and on his death in 1925, Fred assumed the business. In turn, Fred's son, Jack Micklethwaite, was active in photography until the 1970s, almost completing the century since Frank had opened on Queen Street.

The City Archives has many fine works produced by the Micklethwaites, both from the City Engineer's Office collection and from a collection acquired from Jack, containing photos taken by various members of the family." (pages 20-21).

Frederick Micklethwaite - the son of Frank W. Micklethwaite - continued to operate a studio from 243 Yonge Street until the 1930s.

Circa 1914/1915:

In circa. 1914/1915, 243 Yonge Street housed: the Aberdeen Woolen Mills Company; Frank W. Micklethwaite — photography studio; and Hattie L. Hazelton. 

Circa 1919/1920:

In circa. 1919/1920, 243 Yonge Street housed: The John Wanless Company; the London Luggage Store — leather goods; and Frank W. Micklethwaite's photography studio.

The John Wanless Company:

The John Wanless Company was founded by John Wanless in 1840. The company were Toronto-based merchants of jewellery and other fine goods. By 1907, it was the oldest jewellery company in Toronto. The John Wanless Company was operated by several generations of the Wanless family prior to its closure in the 1940s. The company was based at 243 Yonge Street from 1916 until the 1940s. One of the John Wanlesses also served as an alderman and school trustee during the early 20th century. The John Wanless Junior Public School and the Wanless Park neighbourhood are named after him.

Circa 1929/1930:

By the late 1920s and early 1930s, 243 Yonge Street had become known as the Wanless Building. In circa. 1929/1930, 243 Yonge Street housed: The John Wanless Company — jewellers; the Innis Permanent Wave Shop; One Price Tailors Ltd.; Frederick Micklethwaite — photography studio; and Ernest J. Lewis — an artist. 

Please note that 372-372A Yonge Street (1864) — located several blocks to the north — is also known as the John Wanless Building.

Circa. 1939/1940: 

In circa. 1939/1940, 243 Yonge Street — then known as the Wanless Building — housed: The John Wanless Company — jewellers; the Bond Clothes Shop; and Colleens' Beauty Shop.  

Circa. 1949/1950:

In circa. 1949/1950, 243 Yonge Street — then still known as the Wanless Building — housed: The May Company — menswear and men's furnishings; the Blue Bird Tea Rooms; John Irving; and John Omeniuk. 

The John Wanless Company appears to have closed during the 1940s, potentially as a result of the death of John Wanless in 1941.

Circa. 1959/1960:

In circa. 1959/1960, 243 Yonge Street — then still known as the Wanless Building — housed: Clark Shoes Ltd. and the Peoples Credit Jewellers.

Circa. 1968/1969:

In circa. 1968/1969, 243 Yonge Street — then still known as the Wanless Building — housed: Clark Shoes Ltd. and the Peoples Credit Jewellers' mail order department. Historical images indicate that Clark Shoes Ltd. was still based at 243 Yonge Street as of the early 1970s.

Present Day:

Since the late 1970s or early 1980s, 243 Yonge Street has been home to a Burger King restaurant on its ground floor. The upstairs is presently home to Silk Tailor. 

(Research by Adam Wynne)