|
Congratulations to the winners of the Trivia Game!
The first five people to send the correct response to last issue’s
trivia game were David Dowling, Genalyn Pellecchia, Karen Bowen, Peter
Mullen, and tied in fifth place, Winnie Chung and Kang Chen. The photo
was of the Casa Loma in Toronto. Thank you to all the other participants
who submitted their guesses.
It took three years, $3.5 million and more
than 300 workers to build Casa Loma between 1911 and 1914. With stately
towers, soaring battlements, secret passageways and sweeping terraces,
the medieval-style castle is a product of Sir Henry Pellatt's boyhood
dreams.
Upon completion in 1914, at 98 rooms, it was the largest private residence
in North America. Notable amenities included an elevator, an oven large
enough to cook a steer, two vertical passages for pipe organs, central
vacuum, two secret passages in Sir Henry's ground-floor office and
three bowling alleys (never completed).
During the Depression, Toronto increased Casa
Loma's annual property taxes from $600 to $12,000 (this approximately
translates to an increase from $6,000 to $111,000 in today's currency),
and Pellatt – already experiencing financial difficulties – was forced
to auction off $1.5 million worth of art and furnishings for $250,000
during bankruptcy hearings. Sir Henry was able to enjoy life in the
castle for 10 years, leaving in 1923.
Today it is Toronto's most glamorous landmark
and a magnificent legacy of an extraordinary man.
|
|