Description:

15 Elm Street is a 2-storey Georgian Revival cottage located at the southwest corner of Elm Street and Harry Barberian Lane. 15 Elm Street was constructed in 1867/1868. The commercial storefront was added during the 1920s and the rear warehouse-like addition was added between 1924 and 1947. During the mid-20th century, the building was divided into two units - 15 Elm Street and 15½ Elm Street.

Elm Street was created during the mid-19th century. Constructed in circa 1867/1868, 15 Elm Street is representative of the early residential development of Elm Street and is part of a cluster of Confederation-era buildings situated along the south side of Elm Street. 

In the early 1990s, 15 Elm Street was identified as being of interest and as having heritage potential by the Toronto Historical Board.   

Please note that prior to 1873, 15 Elm Street was known as 9 Elm Street.


First Occupants:

15 Elm Street was first home to William K. Wright and his family. The Wright family lived here from 1867/1868 until 1869. 


William K. Wright (born c. 1821) was a bricklayer and mason by trade. Other members of the Wright family included William's wife Mary Wright (born c. 1825) and their children Mary (born c. 1845), Thomas (born c. 1851), John (born c. 1853), and Albert (born c. 1855). The Wright family were originally from England. 

Later Occupants and Uses:

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


Circa 1869/1870 to 1886/1887:

Between circa 1869/1870 and 1886/1887, 15 Elm Street was home to the Kennedy family. The Kennedy family were Irish Canadian and members of the Methodist Church. The family consisted of Robert Kennedy (born c. 1822) — a bricklayer and builder by trade — his wife Mary Kennedy (born c 1824), and their sons Charles Kennedy (born c. 1862), Robert Kennedy Jr. (born c. 1864), and James Kennedy. 

Circa 1889/1890: 

In circa 1889/1890, 15 Elm Street was home to Francis Cavanagh. Francis Cavanagh was one of Canada's best known phrenologists and was considered a pioneer in the field. Phrenology was developed in Ancient Greece and re-emerged as a popular pseudoscience in North America during the mid-19th century. 

While Cavanagh was only briefly based at 15 Elm Street, he was in business on Elm Street at other addresses (11 Elm Street, etc.) for a number of years. Cavanagh published extensively on phrenology, including Cavanagh's Phrenology (1895), Head Troubles and Their Causes (1898), and Cavanagh's Phrenological Chart (1903). 

Phrenology had waned in popularity by the 1930s. As of 1931, Cavanagh was one of the last two professional phrenologists working in Toronto. That same year (1931), Cavanagh committed suicide by jumping off the Sherbourne Street bridge. 


Circa 1894/1895:

In circa 1894/1895, 15 Elm Street was home to George W. Neill. George W. Neill was a photographer at Gagen and Fraser — a photography studio based a 79 King Street West. 


Circa 1899/1900:

In circa 1899/1900, 15 Elm Street was home to Roland Bell. Roland Bell was a painter at W. R. Bell — a painting company based at 519 Queen Street West.

Circa 1909/1910:

In circa 1909/1910, 15 Elm Street was home to David and Eleanor Klein. David Klein was an electrician.

Circa 1919/1920: 

In circa 1919/1920, 15 Elm Street was home to Eleanor Klein. Eleanor Klein was the widow of David Klein.


Circa 1939/1940:

In circa 1939/1940, 15 Elm Street was home to Russell E. Smith Industries (floor finishers). 

Circa 1944/1945:

In circa 1944/1945, 15 Elm Street was home to Russell E. Smith Industries (floor finishers), whereas 15½ Elm Street was home to John Nelson.

Circa 1949/1950:

In circa 1949/1950, 15 Elm Street was home to Gordon A. MacEachern (contractors and floor finishers), whereas 15½ Elm Street was home to Arthur Halsey.

Circa 1959/1960:

In circa 1959/1960, 15 Elm Street housed the College of Practical Floristry and Ringball Ltd. Ringball Ltd. were manufacturers' agents.

Circa 1968/1969:

In circa 1968/1969, 15 Elm Street housed Ber-Gro Co. Ltd. (jewellery and gift importers) and York Watch Importers Ltd.  

Circa 1978/1980:

In circa 1978/1980, 15 Elm Street housed Straight Gain Electronics.

2000s:

During the 2000s, 15 Elm Street was home to Salz Brandz.

2010s:

During the 2010s, 15 Elm Street was home to Chocky's and the T. L. P Sandwich Company. 

2020 to Present Day (2022):

Since January 2020, 15 Elm Street has been home to the Elm Street Italian Delicatessen. 

Redevelopment Application (September 2022): 

On 13 September 2022, a redevelopment application was filed for a 30-storey mixed-use building at 15-17 Elm Street. This application proposes the demolition of the extant buildings at 15 and 17 Elm Street. 

(Research by Adam Wynne)

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