First Occupant: Blaikie, John
Founded in 1903, Branksome Hall is an independent school for girls. Today, the school rests on a 13-acre campus in the Toronto neighbourhood of Rosedale and educates nearly 900 girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.
The school was founded by Miss Margaret Scott, who served as our first principal from 1903 to 1910. Branksome Hall was originally located in rental property at 102 Bloor Street East, with an enrolment of 70 girls. Seven years later, that property was purchased by the province and Branksome relocated to 592 Sherbourne Street.
In 1912, the school purchased Hollydene, the elegant property at 10 Elm Avenue. The house, built in 1880, was purchased for the then princely sum of $48,000. Included in the deal was a coach house, which soon contained classrooms and a gymnasium. Hollydene’s spacious lawns were perfect for outdoor games and garden parties.
The building is fashioned in several styles, and features neoclassical columns with acanthus folliage capitals, polychrome roof tiles and brick of the High Victorian style, and Gothic Revival bargeboards.
