The Baldwin Family

Looking south, one can see Spadina Road, laid out by the Baldwin family as a grand thoroughfare from Queen Street to Davenport Road. William Baldwin (1775-1844), physician, lawyer, politician and architect built the first "Spadina" in 1818 and the second in 1835 after the earlier home was destroyed by fire. After William's death the estate passed to his son Robert Baldwin (1804-1858) one time co-premier of the united Canadas. Both men were leading political figures whose drive for peaceful change brought about major constitutional and administrative reform in government including the implementation of "responsible government" initiated by William Baldwin.
The Baldwin Steps were opened officially in September, 1988.