The Mackenzie House is located at 82 Bond St (just south of Dundas St E) in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto. The historic property was the last home of William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto’s first mayor.
William Lyon Mackenzie
Mackenzie was born in Scotland in 1795 and emigrated to Canada at the age of 25. He was a merchant, journalist, newspaper publisher and politician. He was elected to the Provincial Legislature from 1828 to 1834, and during that time, he was expelled many times. Mackenzie then became an alderman for St David’s Ward, which at the time was bounded by King St E to Yonge St to Queen St E to Parliament St. He worked diligently to incorporate the Town of York into the City of Toronto, and in 1834, he became the City’s first mayor. He held the position for one year.
The Reform Movement
Mackenzie then led the Reform movement, which opposed the system of patronage as well as the Crown giving British settlers preferential treatment over Americans regarding land grants. When the Reform group tried to take control of the government during the Rebellion of 1837 (or the Upper Canada Rebellion) in Toronto, they were defeated. Along with a few hundred supporters, Mackenzie fled to New York state. While in exile there, he watched the accomplishment of Canada becoming self-governed. He strived to achieve this for years with no success. After receiving a pardon from the government, he returned to Toronto in 1850 and sat in Parliament until retiring eight years later.
The Mackenzie House
Built by William Rogers in 1857, William Lyon Mackenzie moved into the home at 82 Bond St the following year. It was bought for him by his friends as “a mark of esteem and in recognition of his public services.” The Georgian-style, three-storey brick home was the centre of what was once three townhouses. He died in the bedroom of his home in 1861. His wife and daughters continued living in the house until Mrs Mackenzie also passed there away in 1873.
Mackenzie’s grandson, William Lyon Mackenzie King, became Canada’s 10th Prime Minister. In 1936, during his third term, King saved his grandfather’s home from demolition. The townhouses on either side of it had already been destroyed. In 1960, the William Lyon Mackenzie Foundation gave the property to the City of Toronto. The home received heritage status in 1973.
Today, William Lyon Mackenzie is known as Toronto’s rebel mayor. His restored home is a museum and gives visitors an understanding of what Victorian life was like in 1860’s Toronto. Inside the museum is period furniture, along with a recreated print shop with an 1845 printing press and artifacts.
Haunted History
The Mackenzie House is considered one of Toronto’s most haunted houses, with its famous former resident and his wife lingering inside.
An apparition of a short man wearing a frock coat and a wig has been seen about the house, particularly near the bedroom.
In 1960, two different sets of caretaking couples lived in an apartment on an upper floor, rent-free. They both left quickly, and when asked why they said they were so frightened by the strange occurrences they could no longer live there.
The caretakers mentioned the disturbing feeling of being watched or feeling they were not alone. While upstairs, they also heard Mrs Mackenzie’s piano playing from a parlour on the first floor and footsteps on the stairs. One of the wives said she saw the spectre of a woman wearing 19th-century garb hovering over her momentarily, then vanishing only later to return to slap her across the face. When she awoke the following morning, her cheek had two welts on it. Click for more haunted tales.
Mackenzie House Photos
William Lyon Mackenzie 1795-1861 “Born near Dundee, Scotland, Mackenzie came to Upper Canada in 1820, and four years later founded a political newspaper, the “Colonial Advocate”, at Queenston. Sharply critical of the ruling oligarchy in the province, he entered politics, became leader of the radical wing of the Reform Party, and in 1834 was elected Toronto’s first mayor. The rejection of his demands for reform drove him to lead an armed rebellion in Upper Canada in 1837. Defeated by government forces, he escaped to the United States where he found many sympathizers. In 1849 he was permitted to return to Canada and settled in Toronto. Before his death, he witnessed the firm establishment of a system of responsible government.”
The William Lyon Mackenzie Homestead
“This house was the home, in his later years, of William Lyon Mackenzie, first mayor of the city of Toronto. It was presented to him on 4th August, 1859, by friends as “a mark of esteem and in recognition of his public services.” Here he died, 28th August, 1961. The homestead was purchased and presented in 1947 to the Homestead Foundation by T. Wilbur Best, Esq, to be preserved as a historic site, library and museum of the early days of Toronto. Formally opened by the Hon. Leslie M. Frost, Prime Minister of Ontario, 10th May, 1950.”
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
“Born in Scotland, Mackenzie came to Upper Canada in 1820. He became a prominent radical journalist and was first elected to the assembly in 1828, building up a strong popular following. He was the first mayor of the city of Toronto in 1834. Frustrated by political setbacks, Mackenzie led an abortive rebellion in 1837, and fled to the United States. From there he watched the achievement of Canadian self-government, which he had sought ardently but without success. Returning under amnesty in 1850, he sat in Parliament again until 1858.”
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 82 Bond St
- National Historic Person Canada: William Lyon Mackenzie
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Mar 8, 1962, pg 7
- Toronto Star Newspaper Archives: Apr 27, 1980, pg C12
- Art Canada Institute: William Lyon Mackenzie Memorial
- Britannica: William Lyon Mackenzie
- The Canadian Encyclopedia: Rebellions of 1837
- Toronto Ghosts: Mackenzie House
- Haunted Walk: Original Haunted Walk of Toronto Ghost Tour
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Public Library, Archives of Ontario & Library and Archives Canada
