Description: 

1432 Queen Street West is a 2.5 storey building located at the northeast corner of Queen Street West and West Lodge Avenue in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. 1432 Queen Street West was constructed in circa 1882/1883 and is in the Georgian Revival style of architecture. 

1432 Queen Street West has undergone alterations over time. These alterations include alterations to the storefront and windows of the building, as well as a rear addition added in the late 20th century. 

Prior to the annexation of Parkdale in 1889, 1432 Queen Street West was known as 182 Queen Street, Parkdale. 

1432 Queen Street West is a contributing property within the Parkdale Main Street Heritage Conservation District.


First Occupants — George Howard and Family: 

George Howard and his family resided at 1432 Queen Street West from 1882/1883 until 1885. 

George Howard (1832-1899) was born in the Province of Quebec in 1832 to English parents. Between 1846 and 1850, the Howard family moved from Quebec to Streetsville (Mississauga), Ontario. In Streetsville, George Howard was employed as a carriage maker. In 1859, George Howard married Lucina Caslor (1836-1920) - the daughter of a prominent Hollander-Canadian United Empire Loyalist family. 
 

In 1882/1883, the Howards moved to Parkdale where George Howard opened a grocery store on Queen Street. By 1884, Howard’s business had expanded to offer blacksmith services and by 1885 Howard was solely offering blacksmith services. This same year (1885), Howard moved his business from Queen Street to West Lodge Avenue. Howard’s business was originally based on the east side of West Lodge Avenue a short distance north of Queen Street. A few years later, in 1888/1889, Howard moved to the west side of West Lodge Avenue and constructed both a new shop and smithy (4 West Lodge Avenue) and house (6 West Lodge Avenue) for him and his family.

 

George Howard’s blacksmith business was originally known as G. Howard & Son. Between 1889 and 1890, Howard had a brief partnership with William Gaul and the business became known as Howard & Gaul. However, William Gaul was hired as a tailor by P. M. Clark & Son in 1890/1891 and George Howard reverted to the name George Howard & Son. Following the death of George Howard in November 1899, Walter David Howard (1865-1939) – his 2nd eldest son – took over the operations of the blacksmith shop and smithy and it became known as W. D. Howard and/or Walter D. Howard. W. D. Howard (Walter D. Howard) remained in business at 4 West Lodge Avenue until 1926. By the early 1920s, Walter D. Howard resided at 52 Harvard Avenue - a short distance from Roncesvalles Avenue. 

 

George and Lucina Howard had 11 children - 5 daughters and 6 sons – between 1859 and 1883. The Howard family were Wesleyan Methodist. George Howard died in 1899. Lucina Howard continued living at 6 West Lodge Avenue until her own death in 1920. Following Lucina Howard's death, Roy H. Howard (1894-1965) - the son of Walter D. Howard - lived at 6 West Lodge Avenue until the 1930s, although the house was intermittently rented to tenants (including during the mid-1920s). 

 

George Howard's brother in law - David Caslor (born 1848/1849) - operated a hardware store at 628 Queen Street West for 50 years (1882-1932). Further research is required to discern if the Caslor's hardware business on Queen Street West prompted the Howard family to move to Parkdale. 

 

During the turn of the 20th century (c. 1900), the Howard family briefly rented 6 West Lodge Avenue to Nathaniel Cuseck - a carpenter. The Howards also rented out 6 West Lodge Avenue during the mid-1920s, although had moved back into the property by 1930.  


Later Occupants and Uses: 

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


Circa 1885/1886:

1432 Queen Street West: Robert Taylor — baker.


Circa 1889/1890:

1432 Queen Street West: William Wilson and J. W. Wilson — bakers. 


Circa 1894/1895:

1432 Queen Street West: William J. Hicks — cigars. 


1897:
As of September 1897, James Rae kept a bicycle livery at the rear of 1432 Queen Street West. 


Circa 1899/1900:

1432 Queen Street West: J. S. C. Wilson — grocer; and Albert B. Cuff.


Circa 1909/1910:

1432 Queen Street West: Linder Brothers — grocers. 


Circa 1919/1920:

1432 Queen Street West: Myer Rosenfield — dry goods.


Circa 1929/1930:

1432 Queen Street West: Joseph Balcomb — stationery and tobacco.


Circa 1939/1940:

1432 Queen Street West: White Corner Hamburger — restaurant.


Circa 1949/1950:

1432 Queen Street West: Olympia Sports Store.


Circa 1959/1960:

1432 Queen Street West: Olympic Sports Store.


Circa 1968/1969:

1432 Queen Street West: Olympic Sports Store. 


1996 to Present Day (Early 2022):
Since at least 1996, 1432 Queen Street West has housed a Pizza Pizza restaurant franchise on its ground floor storefront. Further research is required to discern when precisely this franchise opened. The upstairs of the building contains residential units. 


(Research by Adam Wynne)