09/01/2026
West Hill’s Richardson house, a protected heritage home that has caught many an eye and is for many a longtime landmark on Old Kingston Rd. just east of where the road intersects with the more modern Kingston Rd.
Recently the house was on the market for sale and walking by it today the sign has been changed to indicate that it has been sold. As with all homes of this vintage in Scarborough , now few and far in between that remain from the early days, it is hoped that the new owner appreciates this home for its history and architecture and not just the value of the land on which the home is built for redevelopment purposes.
Some information about the Richardson’s; James Richardson and his family came to Scarborough in 1824 from Londonderry Ireland. His descendants became physicians, ministers and men active in public life. The eldest son John, (1786-1875) and his wife Margaret raised two notable sons, Dr. Samuel R, and John Hunter Richardson. In their home here on Lot 9, Conc.I the original cottage was bricked over and completed as a two storey house about 1860. John Hunter took over the family home after the death of his parents, became West Hill’s first Postmaster in 1879 and was township treasurer for 25 years (1896-1921). About 1904 he built a new house next door and his son, John Henry, lived in the old home until his death in 1956.
Ezekiel (1803-47) another of James’ sons, and his wife Mary settled west of here (Lot 14, Conc. D) and raised three distinguished sons, doctors Joseph and Samuel, and John, Reeve Of Scarborough (1881-94) and later a member of Ontario Legislature.
