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1900-1965 (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
ca. 8,400 architectural drawings
66 items of textual records
778 photographs
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Sproatt and Rolph was a Toronto, Ontario based architectural firm formed in 1899 by architect Henry Sproatt and architect and engineer Ernest Rolph.
Henry Sproatt (1866-1934) was born in Toronto, and attended Collingwood Collegiate Institute. Beginning in 1882 he trained as an architect in Toronto with Arthur Richard Denison, and from 1886-1888 he apprenticed in New York City. From 1888-1893 Sproatt toured France and northern Italy, studying the architectural styles. Upon returning to Toronto in 1893 he became a partner in the architectural firm of Darling, Curry, Sproatt and Pearson. The firm shortly thereafter became Darling, Sproatt and Pearson. Sproatt left the partnership in 1899.
Ernest Rolph (1871-1958) was born in Toronto and attended Jarvis Collegiate. He subsequently articled with Toronto architect David Roberts, Jr. Rolph was later employed by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the construction of the Crow's Nest portion of the railway. Rolph joined with Henry Sproatt in forming the architectural firm Sproatt and Rolph in 1899.
After Henry Sproatt's death, his son Charles Beverley Sproatt (1896-1976) assumed his father's share of the practice in 1934. Born in Toronto, he graduated from the University of Toronto's School of Architecture in 1923, and thereupon joined the firm of Sproatt and Rolph as a junior partner. Around 1940 he bought out Ernest Rolph's interest in the firm. The business suspended operations during World war Two, as Sproatt served overseas, in the process being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1945 the firm re- opened under the original name of Sproatt and Rolph, and continued operations until Charles Sproatt liquidated the business in 1970.
Custodial history
Fonds was donated to the Archives of Ontario in 1993 by John Sproatt of Bowmanville, Ontario, and by Mrs. Elizabeth Lennie of Toronto, Ontario. The records had been in possession of Henry L. Sproatt, son of Charles B. Sproatt. After Henry Sproatt's death in 1991, the records remained at his residence, until they passed into the custody of the Archives of Ontario in 1991, ownership of the material being transferred to the Archives in 1993.
Scope and content
Fonds consists of textual and photographic records created and accumulated by the architectural firm Sproatt and Rolph.
Included in the fonds are architectural drawings, including plans, elevations, sections, details and shop drawings. While most of the material deals with Toronto-based projects, those in other Ontario cities are represented, including projects in Ottawa, Cobourg, Guelph, Etobicoke Township, North York Township, Scarborough Township, Oakville, Orillia, pickering, Port Hope, St. Catharines, Sarnia, Welland, Woodstock and Whitby.
Reference drawings of work executed by other architects is contained in this fonds. These architects and firms include Abraham Wilson, William Ralston, Joseph Austin Thatcher, E.E. Woodley, Harold Carter, Charles Brammall Dolphin, George Allan, Walter N. Moorhouse, Charles J. Gibson, Bradford L. Gilbert, William A. Langton, Donald N. MacVicar, J.C.A. Heriot, and George Martell Miller, Moleworth, West and Secord, F. Hilton Wilkes, Chadwick and Beckett, James A. Murray, Stevens and Lee, R.J. Edwards and Saunders, F.R. Barnes, and Gardiner Cowan. In addition, the fonds contains the works of others associated with the firm including Charles Beverly Sproatt, Samuel George Curry and Gladstone Evans. There are also a number of measured drawings, executed by C. Peake Anderson, of British cathedrals and churches.
The fonds also contains textual material, including correspondence relating to projects carried out by the firm. Specifications to various building trades are in typescript and include instructions to tenders provided by the architects, as well as to the various engineers engaged for these projects. A few contracts are also provided for some projects. As well, a scrapbook of newspaper articles relating to architectural projects undertaken by a number of Toronto firms, including Marani, Paisley and Morris. Other published material includes various journals, pamphlets, bulletins, as well as an Order of Dedication for Knox Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Included in the textual material are three professional certificates belonging to Henry Sproatt, including membership in the Ontario Association of Architects, a certificate of appointment to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, and undated certificate appointing Sproatt as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Arts.
Fonds also includes photographs depicting interior and exterior views of many of the firm's building projects. Some of the photos appear to have been used to accompany articles in architectural journals, and sheet proofs from these publications are included, with illustrations from these photographs. As well, there are many photos of bronze ornamental objects and plaques, of alabaster figurines and sculpted figures, as well as of heraldic crests and illuminated manuscripts. There also are numerous photos depicting streetscapes and buildings in the British Isles.
For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+C+292?SESSIONSEARCH
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Restrictions on access
Some items in this fonds are restricted due to conservation reasons. Please see unit listings in inventory for C 292 for details. No restrictions on other materials in fonds.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Copyright transferred to Archives of Ontario by donor. No restrictions on reproduction or publication of material for which the donor is authorized to transfer the copyright to the Archives. Other material may require permission of third-party copyright holders.
Finding aids
For a more detailed description, use this link to the Archives of Ontario's descriptive database: http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/PROV/PROV/REFD+C+292?SESSIONSEARCH
Associated materials
For related material on Sproatt and Rolph projects such as the Canada Life Assurance Building and Eaton's College store, see Series RG 7-137.
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Rev. Mar/12.