One of Thunder Bay’s most admired homes, the Murphy Mansion sits at 431 Selkirk Street South and fills an entire city block with its grounds, landscaping, and home itself. The home is named after its original owner, James Murphy. James Murphy was born in West Liberty, Iowa in 1863 and moved to Fort William in 1884 to work in the coal industry. In 1903, he established the James Murphy Coal Company in order to help the town expand its coal supply, building an empire that supplied coal to the CPR. He also became president of the Daily Times Journal, and between the two ventures, became a strong and vibrant presence in Fort William. Before long, he turned to politics and became the mayor of the City of Fort William from 1907 to 1908.
Murphy passed away in 1928, leaving his coal business to his three sons. When the last of his children (and line) passed away in 1958, the house went to third son Frank’s wife, Charlotte MacGillivary. In 1985, the James Murphy Residence became the first private home placed on the Municipal Heritage Register by the City of Thunder Bay, with Charlotte in attendance at the ceremony.
James Murphy sought to build a mansion for his family, which was constructed between 1914 and 1919 - Murphy had begun construction in 1912, but was put on hold due to World War One. Robert Ethelbert Mason was brought in as the architect on the project. The house stands three and a half stories high, and is generally considered to be styled in the English Gothic and Tudor styles of architecture. Featuring gray limestone on the first floor and gray brick on the second and third floors, the house is a marvel inside and out. The front of the house features a projecting portico (porch), which leads to the main entrance. Encompassing 15,000 square feet, the mansion also features a green-glazed terra-cotta tile roof (imported from Italy) and Simpson Island stone used in the home itself and for the chimney.
In 1946, the house was renovated and subdivided into five apartments, the Murphy family residing on the first floor. In 1986, the home was sold to Bruno Valente, who remains the owner today, but the house is still known as the Murphy Mansion. In 2019, a celebration was held to commemorate the 100 year anniversary for the mansion. The Murphy Mansion is a popular choice as the backdrop for photo shoots in the area, including many wedding photos.
If you would like to learn know about the history of other significant homes in Thunder Bay, contact us at research@tbpl.ca
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