Casa Loma, a fairytale from Toronto
The story of Sir Henry Pellatt
Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Ontario, a soldier, visionary and philanthropist, Sir Henry Pellatt, lived. Sir Henry was the son of a businessman and owner of Pellatt & Pellatt company. Young Henry, born in 1859, did not wait long to leave school and joined his father’s business. As a very young, he became a successful owner and financier of the Electric Light Company in Toronto in 1883. In Canada’s largest city, soon, his name becomes the synonym of wealth and power. The power of the Niagara Falls found itself in the hands of a man who lived his fairy tale. Sir Henry Pellatt and his wife Mary enjoyed the blessings of his work. In 1901, he was leading over 21 companies dealing with mining, electricity, and insurance. He was more than a privileged and elevated member of the community, a mile-running champion, and also honored for military service.
The magnificent Casa Loma
To crown his rise to the sky, in 1911 Ser Henry started building a vast and stunning castle in Toronto, which will remain for the next generations as his heritage and the seal of his power and wealth. He annexed Canadian architect E.J.Lenoxx to fulfill his dream. It took three years for its construction. This imposing building overshadowed the whole American continent, and it was known all over the world. Nobody owned a bigger and more glamorous private estate at the time, than Pellatt.
The castle was built with a total of 98 luxury chambers, 30 bathrooms, hallways, secret passages. The garden in front of it reminds of the most beautiful epic stories about distant kingdoms and built pools and fountains from the most beautiful marble and Spanish stone. In caprice, Sir Henry walked so far that the names of his horses were carved in gold letters into the walls.
The castle has three floors, with private sleeping rooms, guests and workrooms and billiard and entertainment rooms. Like every castle, Casa Loma has its secret passages and chambers, just like in the old times. The whole complex is decorated with gold, romantic design and artistic masterpieces. A private library is a real treasure house with over 10,000 books. Apart from the desire that his home looks authentic, however, a wealthy businessman, during that time, implemented the most significant technological achievements he actually owned. Casa Loma cost $ 3.5 million.
Sir Henry and his wife often opened the door of their modest home for various social events, receptions, balls. They seem to have enjoyed the role of King and Queen. Everything was as if the most beautiful fairy tale, until the 30’s of the last century, when the great empire experiences a collapse … Electric power went into the public domain, and in the next couple of years, Sir Henry Pellatt accumulates his debts to the bank and bankrupt at the end. Dark and challenging period, for the once-famous Toronto couple, made them sell what was left and moved to the farm. Casa Loma was in the hands of the city.
Casa Loma, the historical museum and famous event mansion
Today Casa Loma is a public building and one of the most famous attractions of Toronto. It is well preserved, and there is mostly everything initially from the 19th century. All that the unfortunate owner did not sell himself. It has long been rumored that Pellatt had sold everything he could, gold, a bronze buffalo head, sculptures, statues, and Persian carpets. Experts estimate that for all valuables they managed to get only 17% of their real value. The sad truth, indeed.
The castle is a permanent museum setting, which is organized daily for tourist sightseeing. A large number of visitors come to hear a fascinating historical, educational story about the Pellatt family, but also to be impressed with the glamor and beauty of Casa Loma, which is still there.
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