Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 12th Year - 2016

To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page

Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone in Landscape mode (Horizontal)

Sir Henry Mill Pellatt 1859-1939

Photo by contributor Pancheta Barnett - Posted July, 2010

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted July, 2010

Photo Source - Wikipedia

In this garden near the entrance to Casa Loma is this 2009 Heritage Toronto plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.67835 -79.40963

At the peak of his dramatic career, Sir Henry Mill Pellatt was one of Canada's most powerful businessmen. An ambitious financier who became wealthy through bold investments in electricity, real estate, and mining, Pellatt helped to bring electric street lights to Toronto and to develop the first Canadian hydroelectric generating station at Niagara Falls.
In 1901, Pellatt became commanding officer of The Queen's Own Rifles, a militia regiment he had joined at the age of 17. His leadership of this regiment and his role in the development of electric power in Ontario earned him a knighthood in 1905.
In 1913, Pellatt and his wife Mary moved into Casa Loma, designed for them by architect E.J. Lennox. It was one of North America's grandest residences. Ten years later, the Pellatts were forced to leave after failed investments severely reduced their wealth.
Major General Sir Henry Mill Pellatt died in 1939, and was honoured with one of Toronto's largest military funerals.

More Toronto buildings designed by E.J. Lennox
House of Industry
The King Edward Hotel
Massey-Harris Company
Mount Pleasant Cemetery
"Old" City Hall
Queen City Yacht Club
Standard Woollen Mills Building

More
Entrepreneurs

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted July 21, 2012
This is a wonderful true story. Has a movie been made of this? If not it should be. Starting with his father all the way to where his funds diminished due to the war. The auction of his fine items where he recouped very little money. His living with a servant and the grand funeral Toronto gave him. This would make a fantastic movie for history buffs and most in general. To bring a dream of this multitude to reality and to have to give it up had to be extremely devastating to him. In these days we all can relate to that story and our homes are less grand than Casa Loma. Put this on film if not already.

> Posted May 22, 2012
This was my great great grandfather. My grandfather was Howard Pellatt. Sir Henry would have been his grandfather. I had heard about this castle growing up and my Uncle Howard Pellatt has an old book about this. I was pleased to read more about my family history through this page. Hopefully someday I might get the chance to visit. Thanks

Here's where you can sent me a comment for this page.

Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.

To send me your comment, click [email protected].

Thanks
Webmaster

Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click here.