Woodfield in London in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

“Bleak House”

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 30, 2026

1. “Bleak “House” Marker

Inscription. On this site stood Bleak House, home of George MacBeth, where Colonel Thomas Talbot died on 5 February 1853. Talbot founded the Talbot Settlement and supervised land settlement for parts of Elgin, Middlesex, Kent, Essex, and Norfolk counties. He bequeathed much of his fortune to MacBeth his faithful servant. “Bleak House” was demolished in 1915 to build Lord Roberts Public School.

Erected 2000 by London Public Library Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1853.

Location. 42° 59.461′ N, 81° 14.404′ W. Marker is in London, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is in Woodfield. It is at the intersection of Princess Avenue and Cartwright Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Princess Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 440 Princess Avenue, London ON N6B 2B4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Buchan House (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Harold A. Rogers, O.C., O.B.E. (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); London War Cenotaph (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); London Armouries (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Banting House (approx. 0.7 kilometers

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away); Veterans' Garden (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Birthplace of the Flame of Hope (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Birthplace of Insulin (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in London.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 30, 2026

2. “Bleak House” Marker

Attached to the small stone near the lower centre of the photo. Lord Roberts School is visible.

Thomas Talbot, no date image. Click for full size.

3. Thomas Talbot, no date

Died at Bleak House in 1853 National Gallery of Canada (public domain)

“Bleak House” prior to 1915 image. Click for full size.

4. “Bleak House” prior to 1915

London Public Library (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 5, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.