Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Wychwood Park

Photos by contributor Laura Cooper - January 2008

Here, beside one of the private roads in Wychwood Park, is a 1986 Toronto Historical Board plaque that says:

Wychwood Park was named after Wychwood Forest in Oxfordshire, England, by Marmaduke Matthews, a landscape painter. He built the first house in the park in 1874 hoping to establish an artists' colony. In 1891 a subdivision plan was registered and a park reserve, including Taddle Creek and its pond, was vested in trust for the use of property owners. Many of the early houses are by Toronto architect Eden Smith and they reflect the English Arts and Crafts Movement - simple composition and traditional English house forms, blended with the natural landscaped site. In its origins, development and operation, the park is a unique and early example of a planned community in Toronto. Wychwood Park was designated as a Heritage Conservation District under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1885.

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.677308 -79.419973

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Here are the comments. Write a comment here.

Posted May 19, 2010
My name is Robert Matthews - I live in Oxford, England and am trying to trace my link with Marmaduke Matthews and Canada. I have a large amount of family tree information and would be interested in getting in touch with Stephen about this - reference his comment on this web-site. I can be reached on bobmat5@talktalk.net. Many thanks.

Posted April 26, 2009
I highly recommend a walk in Wychwood park, if not to visit this unique plaque, then at the least to admire the beautiful heritage homes as well as flora and fauna. After all it is on the migratory flight path of a variety of birds and some of its trees are 200 years old. When standing at the plaques location one can take in a spectacular view of downtown Toronto and the C.N. Tower. Bring a camera.
Edy

Posted December 8, 2008
The plaque was unknown information to stumble upon - this was my great, great uncle. Marmaduke Matthews was uncle & namesake to my grandfather, Stephen Marmaduke - who also came to Canada and made his mark farming in Sask. My dad is Andrew Stephen Matthews and his eldest is Stephen Paul. It was really nice to find the site. Thank you for your research and mention of this.

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