The Half Way House was a hotel, an apartment and later a store once on the northwest corner of Kingston Rd and Midland Ave in Scarborough, about halfway between Pickering and Toronto. In 1966, to rescue it from demolision, the Half Way House was moved to Black Creek Pioneer Village in North York, where it stands today.
Constructed in 1847/48, the two-storey Georgian-style structure was built and operated by Alexander and Mary Thompson. Originally, it served as a resting place for stagecoach passengers, where travellers could stop for a drink or spend the night in one of the bedrooms upstairs if they were tired.
In a 1969 edition of the Pioneer Press, published by Black Creek Pioneer Village, an article was quoted that was originally written around 1869 by a writer who stayed at the Half Way House on Kingston Rd. The writer reported, “They were privileged to travel extensively… often taking him distances of 100 miles or more from Pioneer Village. The four bedrooms for travellers, with their spacious double beds all equipped with the firmest of new ropes and thick mattresses filled with fresh, clean straw, assure the weary voyager of true comfort… The only discomfort the wayfarer might encounter would be a disagreeable or noisy bedmate, unless of course, one is prepared for the extravagance of paying full cost for a double bed for oneself!”
The article also mentioned that one of the most appreciated modern conveniences at the Half Way House, particularly by guests travelling on horseback, were the large footbaths in the kitchen, where the cook, Olga Allengame, kept a supply of hot water in kettles hanging over the fireplace.
SOURCE
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Jun 10, 1969, pg 33
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: Toronto Public Library
