George T. Browning Yellow Brick House, Any Time Soon Will Be Gone

George T. Browning Yellow Brick House, Any Time Soon Will Be Gone

Apr 3, 2012
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Once upon the time, more like in 1886, George Thomas Browning acquired on Yonge Street one acre property that included an attractive frame cottage at the head of the lane behind the present house. That attractive frame cottage is not there anymore.

George T. Browning House, North Side on the Back


George T. Browning House, North Side on the Front


According to historical notes and findings the George Browning house, the Italianate/Tuscan villa style, was probably in place by 1889 and it was once a yellow brick house.

Front Facade, Red but Yellow Brick Under


Powerful words were once written in the report of the Heritage Advisory Committee …

George Browning House, Back


The George Browning House at 15086-88 Yonge Street is a significant contributor to the character of Yonge Street. It is a distinguishing structure of substantial size that is given even greater visual importance by its commanding position well above the present level of Yonge Street and, on its north side, at the edge of the natural and man-made valley of the stream which crosses Yonge at this point.

It is also one of the punctuation points of one of the very few surviving stretches of dwellings on Yonge Street in Aurora.
‘ – Heritage Advisory Committee Report No. PL09-078, Oct-05-2009, pg 2-3.

George T. Browning House, Two Entrances With Bay Window On Each Side


Not anymore. Standing there unoccupied for years, not looked after – deteriorated. The house became not fix-able, not repair-able, not invite-able and demolish-able to say it at last.

George T. Browning House, Not Invite-able


The house of George T. Browning housed many. It started with Browning family, the family of builders. In March 1913 the house was sold to the Joseph Noble family. The Nobles sold number 15086 later in the year of 1926 in land exchange to Oscar and Ida Klinck.

Were the new owners, the Klinck family occupying the Browning house – who knows? Presumably not. There were tenants though and some new owners in 1935.

But it was again in 1974 (yes that many years later) when the number 15086 got a new owner, this time Michael Evans who actually lived on the premises of the house for the longest time. The Evan’s family operates successful old-fashioned hardware store on 15236 Yonge Street.

On the side note it would interesting to know if the Evans Park on Bayview Street, North of Wellington Street is named after Mr. Evans.

And speaking of parks, nature or trees, whatever happened to the tree in front of the Browning house?

A Tree Trunk In Front of the George Browning House



Demolition of the house is currently in progress … to be continued.

About the Author

Anna Lozyk Romeo

I am living in Aurora and this is my photo journal blog. A picture says 1000 words - but not always, so I write. You don't have to travel 1000 miles to find a treasure - all I have to do is zoom through my lens and I will find it for you here in Aurora.

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