Glen Hurst

Glen Hurst

Edgar John Jarvis (1835-1907). One of Rosedale’s early developers, founder of Glen Hurst, Edgar John Jarvis was introduced to this area by his uncle, William Botsford Jarvis of Rosedale Villa. Edgar and his wife, Charlotte, moved here into their new house, Glen Hurst, in 1866. It still stands, although now hidden from view behind these original stone gateposts.

Enchanted by the surrounding ravines, Jarvis envisioned turning the area into Toronto’s most prestigious neighbourhood. To attract affluent buyers, he constructed the first two high-level bridges across the south Rosedale ravine. He also built for sale two of Rosedale’s early mansions. Jarvis also planted Elm and Maple Avenues with their namesake trees.

Glen Hurst, Rosedale Fire plan. Goad’s Fire Insurance Plan, 1890. It shows  properties bought and sold by Edgar John Jaravis from the 1860s until his death in 1907. These areas are shown and brown and shaded.  Huntley Street was later widened, extended north, and renamed Mount Pleasant Road. Fire Plan elaborated and printed in XIXth century.

In the mid-1880s, shortly after the completion of his family’s second Rosedale estate, Jarvis exhausted his finances. His nice estate was then sold. It was not until 1906 that John Jarvis built his third residence. He baptized it Evenholm. His new residence was designed by his architect son, Beaumont Jarvis, at 157 South Drive.

Edgar Jarvis died one year later, in 1907. Charlotte, a poet and music teacher, was hailed a Rosedale pioneer on the death in 1931.

Athletics and Wellness Center is located on the site of Glen Hurst in our days.

Glen Hurst. Original stone gateposts at Glen Hurst, Rosedale. The original house still exists. It is hidden behind these new buildings. Photo: Elena