Abel Estate - 2597 Lake Shore Blvd. West

Abel Estate - 2597 Lake Shore Blvd. West

© Michael Harrison 2010

The large home at 2597 Lake Shore Blvd. W. behind a low stone wall was the long time home of Charles Abel, a pioneer in the photography business.

Built in the late 1910s in the Arts and Craft style, it was originally owned by a Dr. Richardson, however, he only lived here a few years before selling it to Charles Abel in 1920.

Charles Abel was born in Turkey, the son of an English engineer and his wife. His father was in the country building a railway for the Turkish government. A plague struck the country and both of his parents died leaving him and his two brothers orphaned. One of the brothers died in Turkey. Charles and George were then sent to Dr. Barnardo's Orphanage in the UK. They eventually were sent to Canada, where they originally worked in garment factories before entering the photography business in 1909. In 1911 they are both found living in a rooming house at 240 Simcoe Street.  During WWI they operated the photography service for the Canadian Armed Forces, and then went back into private business. They worked together until 1937 when they dissolved the partnership and went their separate ways. Charles Abel set up the Chas. Abel Photo Service, which was run through independent drug stores.

Abel Estate II - 2595 Lake Shore Blvd West

© Michael Harrison 2010

Upon the death of his wife in the mid 1960s he built the large bungalow next door to the east and sold the house with everything in it. He lived in the modern bungalow (it has always reminded me of the Brady home from the Brady Bunch in the 1970s) until 1979 when he died at the age of 90 years.