Eden Court
Before you is part of the red-brick façade of Eden Court, a farmhouse built for Edward Stock in 1886. Originally, the home featured round-arched windows decreasing in size on each storey, sandstone ornamentation on the front gable, and stained glass windows. It also boasted a side verandah from which the Stock family could look over the surrounding fields and orchards. Edward Stock, an important local businessman, farmer, and politician, was also a local benefactor. Members of St. Leo's Church, Etobicoke's oldest Roman Catholic congregation, met at Eden Court before they were able to build a church on land donated by Stock.
In 1889, Edward Stock sold the bulk of his land for a planned residential subdivision, retaining only two hectares around Eden Court. During the 1930s, the house and remaining land were sold to Willie Morrissey. He transformed the home into a lavish gaming house where both men and women could enjoy cocktails, roulette, and blackjack. Patrons even placed bets on "Eden Court", one of Morrissey's racehorses.
In 1951, The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 217, acquired the building and remained here until 2004. A portion of Eden Court's façade was retained and incorporated into a residential development that was completed in 2010.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.