Born in Kingston in 1839, young Henry moved with his family to Toronto where he attended Upper Canada College back when it was on King St W. Henry eventually joined his father's very successful brokerage firm where he was to become one of the young nation's most successful businessmen.
In an effort to outshine his fellow millionaires Sir Henry (his knighthood was awarded in 1905 to honour Henry's commitment to and promotion of Canada's military of the day) commissioned a 98-room mansion on which he spent $1.7 million (today more than $40 million). After living in his "castle" for about a decade, Sir Henry realized that the burden placed on his financial resources following the city's market value re-assessment and the subsequent huge increase in his property tax bill. He decided to abandon the place. Sir Henry died in 1939 in the backroom of his former chauffeur's Mimico residence.
My husband and I finally took the tour after years of living in the Toronto area. The castle is amazing with fabulous furnishings and decor. The views from the towers are outstanding. A must see for your bucket list.