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| Address: |
10725 KENNEDY RD |
| Original Address: |
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| Property Legal Description: |
CON 6 PT LOT 25 SHOWN AS 64R7303 PT 2 |
| Historical Name: |
Francis Walker House |
| Heritage Conservation District: |
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| Ward: |
6 |
| Year Built: |
c. 1851 |
| Architect Style: |
Ontario Cottage, Regency |
| Heritage Status of Property: |
Listed |
| Designation Bylaw: |
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| Heritage Easement Agreement: |
No |
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History Description |
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The Francis Walker House is located on the north half of Markham Township Lot 25, Concession 6, in the historic crossroads hamlet of Cashel. The original 200 acre lot was granted to John Nicholas Steffens in 1804. For the first part of the 19th century, the property was owned by a series of non-resident speculators. James Fenwick purchased the property in 1815 and in 1819 sold to the distinguished Baldwin family of the Town of York (later Toronto). By the early 1840s the property had passed into the hands of Alexander Rose, who in 1844 sold Lot 25 in two parts. The south 100 acres were sold to Samuel Eakin. The north 100 acres were sold to Archibald Fenwick, a prosperous farmer and owner of considerable property. A one storey brick house in the Ontario Regency style was built for Fenwick c.1845. This house, addressed 4551 Elgin Mills Road, was relocated to Markham Heritage Estates, in 2009.
In 1851, Archibald Fenwick sold a small parcel of land to Francis Walker, an English-born blacksmith. The 1851 census provides information on the Walker family, and described their residence as a one storey brick house. This is the house that stands today at 10725 Kennedy Road. A blacksmith shop was on the same property. Also in the household in 1851 was John Stephenson, another blacksmith. Stephenson went on to become the business partner of Hewlett Eckardt, carriage maker, in Unionville and is best known for being the builder of the Queen’s Hotel and for operating a private bank in the village.
In 1856, Francis Walker purchased additional land from Archibald Fenwick, to enlarge his land holdings. In 1873, he sold the entire property to Colin McKenzie, who owned it until 1876 when he sold to David Kennedy. Kennedy sold to Stephen LeFraugh, a blacksmith of French descent, in 1880. Members of the LeFraugh family were the owners until 1885. In the latter part of the 19th century, the property was owned by the Hoover family.
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| Contemporary Photograph |
Heritage Photograph |
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Key Map
Please note that the yellow polygon symbol is not indicative of the actual heritage area and is only meant to highlight the property the heritage building(s) is located at. For a complete description of the actual heritage property please refer to the Designation Bylaw found above. |
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