Description:

1243 Queen Street West is a 2.5-to-3 storey building located on the south side of Queen Street West approximately midblock between Gwynne Avenue and Elm Grove Avenue in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. 1243 Queen Street West was constructed in 1885/1886 and is in the Italianate style of architecture.

Prior to 1890, 1243 Queen Street West was known as 49 Queen Street, Parkdale. The storefront may have been added post-construction, as the property was originally associated with the office (practice) and residence of a doctor. 1243 Queen Street West originally had private grounds which have since been infilled with development.

1243 Queen Street West has been consolidated together with buildings and properties to the west and is now known as 1249 Queen Street West. The older address — 1243 Queen Street West — has been used in this entry to differentiate the histories of the formerly separate buildings that constitute 1249 Queen Street West. Please note that 1243 Queen Street West was also known as 1245 Queen Street West during the 1950s/1960s as the address numbering shifted with additional consolidation of properties to the west.  

1249 Queen Street West (formerly 1243-1245 Queen Street West) was listed on the heritage register in 1973. The listing notes the property was constructed in 1909 as the Elm Grove House. This would benefit from additional review. The buildings may instead date to the 1880s. Notably, 1908/1909 is when 1243 and 1245 Queen Street West was first consolidated together, albeit the properties were often used as separate spaces throughout the 20th century. Additionally, the name Elm Grove House was not used for the property until the early 1950s. 

For more information on neighbouring 1245 Queen Street West, please click here.

Early Occupants and Uses:

Between 1885/1886 and 1895, 1243 Queen Street West was associated with Dr. William Whittier Turver and his family. 

Dr. William Whittier Turver (1849-1929) was born in Ontario in 1849. He attended Victoria College's (Victoria University's) School of Medicine during the late 1860s and graduated with a MD in 1869. In 1868 — while attending medical school — he also enrolled in a gunnery school in Collingwood for training as a gunner. Further research is required to determine if Dr. Turver served in active combat during the Fenian Raids and/or Red River Rebellion.

Historical accounts vary as to Dr. Turver's specialty, with some accounts referring to him as a general physician and others referring to him as an optician.

During the late 1870s and early 1880s, Dr. Turver worked at the Prospect Park Maternity Hospital in Buffalo, New York. By 1882/1883, Dr. Turver had moved to Parkdale. His practice was originally based on the north side of Parkdale's Queen Street and his residence was on Dunn Avenue opposite the Home for Incurables.  

In 1885/1886, 1243 Queen Street West was constructed. The building originally contained both Dr. Turver's office (practice) and the Turver family's residence. In circa 1889/1890 — around the time that Parkdale was annexed by the City of Toronto — Dr. Turver appears to have subdivided the building into several units while continuing to reside and operate his practice there. Early tenants of Dr. Turver (as of 1889-1891) included the real estate office of Frank Hayes, the law practice of John Y. Murdoch, and the photography studio of William B. Ewing. Later tenants of Dr. Turver (as of 1893/1894) include the photography studio of W. D. McVey and the dressmaking workshop of Annie Hancock.

Dr. Turver married Julia Augusta Langdon in 1879. Julia Turver was born in Clarenceville, Québec in 1852 or 1856 and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario. She was the daughter of Rev. Henry Langdon, a prominent Hamilton-based Wesleyan Methodist clergyman. Julia Turver worked as a music teacher. William and Julia Turver had 1 daughter — Florence Turver — who was born in 1880. The Turvers were Presbyterians.  

One of Dr. Turver's neighbours was Dr. Adam Lynd - another of Parkdale's doctors who also served as Parkdale's first mayor. For more information on Dr. Lynd, please see the entry for 1255 Queen Street West here.

In 1895, the Turvers emigrated to St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Turver died in St. Louis in 1929.

Please note some records erroneously list the surname Turver as Turner. 

Later Occupants and Uses: 

Please note this list is not exhaustive of all former occupants and uses of the property and aims to provide a general overview. Dates are also approximate. 

Circa 1895/1896:

In circa 1895/1896, the real estate office of Frank Hayes and the law practice of John Y. Murdoch had returned to 1243 Queen Street West. They were briefly based next door at 1245 Queen Street West in circa 1893/1894. 

Circa 1900: 

In circa. 1900, 1243 Queen Street West was vacant.

Circa 1904/1905:

In circa. 1904/1905, 1243 Queen Street West housed the business and residence of Joseph Barfield, a lock smith. 

Circa. 1909/1910:

In 1908/1909, 1243 Queen Street West was consolidated together with properties to the west, including neighbouring 1245 Queen Street West. This consolidation was by Alton W. Barlett, who operated a funeral home from the site between 1908 and 1911. 

Circa 1919/1920:

In circa 1919/1920, 1243 Queen Street West was home to Patrick Hayes. Hayes was a plumber. His business was based next door at 1245 Queen Street West.

Circa 1929/1930:

In circa 1929/1930, 1243 Queen Street West was home to Walter G. Peterson. Peterson co-owned Peterson and Lewis with Roy G. Lewis. Peterson and Lewis was a mechanics garage at 2730 Dundas Street West.

Circa 1939/1940:

In circa 1939/1940, 1243 Queen Street West was home to John P. McCreath. McCreath was a barber. His barbershop was also based at 1243 Queen Street West. 

Circa 1949/1950:

In circa 1949/1950, 1243 Queen Street West was listed as vacant. 

Circa 1954/1955:

In circa 1954/1955, 1243 Queen Street West housed the Oliveon Company — which produced toiletries; Canadian National Telegraphs; William T. O'Connor; and John Hiekkinen. 

Circa 1959/1960:

In circa 1959/1960, 1243 Queen Street West housed Oliveon Company — which produced toiletries; and William Mustard.

Circa 1968/1969:

In circa 1968/1969, 1243 Queen Street West housed Ethel Vertlieb's surplus sales store.

Late 20th Century:

1243 Queen Street West eventually became part of the Elm Grove House hotel and tavern, which opened in neighbouring 1245 Queen Street West in 1951/1952. Elm Grove House continued to operate here until 1990/1991.

1992 to Present Day:

Since 1992, 1243-1245 Queen Street West (now known as 1249 Queen Street West) has housed the Rhino bar and restaurant.

Community members have additionally identified that the Parkdale Gay and Lesbian Association was based upstairs at 1243-1245 Queen Street West during the 1980s and 1990s. 

(Research by Adam Wynne)