It all started when she was thirteen years old. That's when Grace Bagnato got married. Her new husband was much older than she was — twenty-five — and that wasn't their only challenge. Joseph was from Italy and while he'd become a leader of the Italian-Canadian community in Toronto, he still only spoke Italian. And while both of Bagnato's parents were also from Italy, she'd been born in the United States and grew up only speaking English. So, as the newlyweds began their life together, they didn't even speak the same language.
Great story! Grace Street in Toronto was named after Grace Bagnato! So many Italians lived on this street including my father. I wonder how many knew it was named after an Italian! Actually, Grace was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and then immigrated to Canada. Her parents were Italian.
Thanks, Antony! Some sources do mention that Grace Street is named in her honour, but it sadly seems to be a myth. Maps show up it with that name before she was born. I do think of her every time I pass it now, though, and it's where a plaque has been erected to commemorate her as well.
I should have done my research before I commented! You are correct. Here is an excerpt about its origins from the book “Toronto street names : an illustrated guide to their origins,” by Leonard A. Wise. It is linked to Gore Street and Gore Vale Avenue:
“Gore Vale was the name of a 100-acre lot granted to Captain Samuel Smith in 1806 that stretched from Queen to Bloor, including the land where Trinity-Bellwoods Park now stands. Smith named it after Sir Francis Gore (1769-1852), the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1806 to 1817. Garrison Creek ran through the property at the bottom of a ravine, which inspired the "Vale" part of the name (both the ravine and the creek were eventually paved over). Sir Francis Gore was most famous for his last act as Lieutenant Governor: in 1817, after trouble with the Legislative Assembly, he cancelled all its meetings and returned to England. Smith never built on the property, but Duncan Cameron, a member of the Legislative Assembly and the Provincial Secretary and Registrar, bought it and in 1820 built a three-storey brick house there, keeping the name Gore Vale. In 1849 part of the property was sold to Bishop Strachan in trust for Trinity College (built in 1851). The house was bought in 1870 by Edward Oscar Brickford, the president of the Erie and Huron Railway, who named two of the nearby streets after his daughters, Grace and Beatrice. Over the years the house passed to various owners, and at one time was the home of the Keeley Institute, where alcoholics were treated. Later it became a residence for Trinity College, until it was demolished in 1926.”
Great story! Grace Street in Toronto was named after Grace Bagnato! So many Italians lived on this street including my father. I wonder how many knew it was named after an Italian! Actually, Grace was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and then immigrated to Canada. Her parents were Italian.
Thanks, Antony! Some sources do mention that Grace Street is named in her honour, but it sadly seems to be a myth. Maps show up it with that name before she was born. I do think of her every time I pass it now, though, and it's where a plaque has been erected to commemorate her as well.
I should have done my research before I commented! You are correct. Here is an excerpt about its origins from the book “Toronto street names : an illustrated guide to their origins,” by Leonard A. Wise. It is linked to Gore Street and Gore Vale Avenue:
“Gore Vale was the name of a 100-acre lot granted to Captain Samuel Smith in 1806 that stretched from Queen to Bloor, including the land where Trinity-Bellwoods Park now stands. Smith named it after Sir Francis Gore (1769-1852), the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1806 to 1817. Garrison Creek ran through the property at the bottom of a ravine, which inspired the "Vale" part of the name (both the ravine and the creek were eventually paved over). Sir Francis Gore was most famous for his last act as Lieutenant Governor: in 1817, after trouble with the Legislative Assembly, he cancelled all its meetings and returned to England. Smith never built on the property, but Duncan Cameron, a member of the Legislative Assembly and the Provincial Secretary and Registrar, bought it and in 1820 built a three-storey brick house there, keeping the name Gore Vale. In 1849 part of the property was sold to Bishop Strachan in trust for Trinity College (built in 1851). The house was bought in 1870 by Edward Oscar Brickford, the president of the Erie and Huron Railway, who named two of the nearby streets after his daughters, Grace and Beatrice. Over the years the house passed to various owners, and at one time was the home of the Keeley Institute, where alcoholics were treated. Later it became a residence for Trinity College, until it was demolished in 1926.”
Fascinating! I didn't know any of that detail at all — thanks for sharing!
Fantastic. I have read 'The Ward' but it's great to know there are so many other interesting stories still lurking in Toronto's history.
They seem to be endless — once you start digging, they are so many fascinating stories to learn about.
Great story and good writing
Thanks so much, Glenn!