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The History

Mrs. Keith

About Mrs. Keith

Katherine Louisa Keith (nee: West) was born in Toronto in 1912. She was the great-granddaughter of Robert West and became his last living descendant.The Robert West House fell into disrepair in the 30's and early 40's. In 1945, Mrs Keith decided to make it liveable again. In 1946, she started residing there in the Summertime. In 1949, she made it her full-time residence.In 2008, with her advancing age, she decided that the best way to ensure that the house was preserved was to donate it to an appropriate organization. As a result, the Thornhill Heritage Foundation was formed. In July 2009, the transfer of the house and the property to the new Foundation was completed. Mrs. Keith continued to live in the house until her death in April 2011.

Detailed Chronology

of her Life

1912 Oct 30

Her father worked for the Toronto Star; her grandfather, Charles West, ran a general store in Toronto at Davenport and New Street

1934

Graduated in Household Science from University College, University of Toronto.

1943

Married Gordon Davie – 100 years to the day of the marriage of her great-grandfather (Robert West). She started to check out status of the house in Thornhill that had fallen into disrepair.

1945

She decided to make the old West house in Thornhill livable again for weekends.

1946

She started to reside in West house in Thornhill as a summer location.

1949

Moved into house in Thornhill on a permanent basis

1950 Jan 25

Thornhill Hotel Fire. This hotel was across Yonge Street from Mrs. West's house. It was a devastating fire that destroyed this Thornhill landmark, an important piece of Thornhill's history. She coordinated a support group supplying coffee & services to firemen and policemen while the fire was being fought.

1954 Oct 15

Hurricane Hazel. Her ‘most scary day and night of suspense’ in Thornhill. She stayed up all night to assist people stranded when the bridge went out on Yonge Street over the East Don River. Her husband Gordon rescued men who drove into the surging waters of the river as they did not know bridge had fallen into the water. They provided shelter for several people who could not make it home.

1969 May 22

The West house was opened as part of a walking tour program.

1971

The West House was included in the Canadian Inventory of Historic Buildings.

1975

Her husband Gordon became the President of the Thornhill Lions Club. Louisa became very active in the auxilliary and social activities.

1977

First Thornhill Village Festival.She created a display of goods & records from the Robert West store in Thornhill. She started an annual habit of wearing period clothing to the Festival, including the red & black outfit that belonged to her great aunt. She wrote an article “We Came to Thornhill” for the centennial project of the Junior League of Toronto.

1980

Her husband,Gordon Davie died. She was most upset but felt she could continue to live in Thornhill as it was this special place for her.

1981

The West House & property was designated as an important heritage location by the Town of Vaughan under the Ontario Heritage Act.

1982 July 3

Louisa married Judge Donald Allayne Keith. He was a judge in Ontario's High Court of Justice from 1967 until 1986.

1989 Sep 22

Judge Keith died.

2008 Nov

The Ontario Heritage Trust obtained an easement on the West House property. This helped to recognize the heritage value of the property and helped protect it for the future.

2009 July 3

The Robert West Heritage House and property were donated to Thornhill Heritage Foundation.

2011 Apr 11

Mrs. Keith died at her home.

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