Illustrated Toronto : past and present, being an historical and descriptive guide-book : comprising its architecture, manufacture, trade; its social, literary, scientific, and charitable institutions: its churches, schools, and colleges : and other principal points of interest to the visitor and resident : together with a key to the publisher's bird's-eye view of the city

Preface

P Fj E f A C E .

LLUSTRATED TORONTO, Past and Present, does not claim to be an original work. In tlie following pages an attempt has been made to bring together facts relative to the growth of Toronto fonnd scattered through the works of numerous authors, who have written more or less respecting the Queen City of the West. Toronto being the largest, wealthiest, and most important city in the Province of Ontario, it is desirable that its rapid growth, wealth and advantages as a commercial city, should be known amongst its citizens and visitors. Many facts and incidents which should have been given will no doubt be found to be omitted ; but in a city so large4 so flourishing, so varied in its commercial, manufacturing and trading interests, and containing so many public buildings, churches, colleges, religious and charitable institutions, such omissions will, I feel assured, be regarded in this, the first edition of the work, with a kindly spirit, and more especially when it is known that only a few months have been spent in compiling and arranging the whole matter. Although considerable care and attention has been employed it is not presumed that upon a first attempt a work of this nature can be quite perfect, and it is therefore hoped that the public indulgence will be granted to

THE COMPILER.

Toronto, July, 1877.

KEY TO BIRD’S-EYE VIEW.

KEY TO BIRD’S-EYE VIEW.

The Lithographic Bird’s Eye View, to which the following pages form a key, has been nearly three years in preparation, and has entailed an amount of labour that is clearly magnified upon an inspection of this work. This picture of Toronto is five feet by three feet three inches, is printed in three colours, and the mechanical execution of which reflects the highest credit upon Messrs. Copp, Clark & Co., a firm whose reputation is well known through the entire Dominion for the excellence of their lithographic printing. Mr. Gross, the artist and delineator, sketched and lithographed the city from actual survey, every avenue, street, lane, and alley, having been traversed by him ; and every building, either store, private residence, or public building, etc., etc., has been drawn with a faithfulness and a minuteness that excites astonishment and admiration in all beholders. He has so drawn his picture as to present at one glance a bird’s-eye view of Toronto and its northern suburbs, as if seen from a south-eastern portion of the island at an elevation of about 5,000 feet above the level of the lake. This part of the view, with the foreground of the picture, comprises the harbour, wharves, elevators, and principal manufactories of the city, while the background is formed of Rosedale and Yorkville, and the villages of Seaton a^id Brockton.

REFERENCES TO BIRD’S-EYE VIEW.

The following letters and numbers (which are marked on the buildings in the large view) indicate the position of the various public buildings, institutions, manufactories, warehouses, and principal houses of the city : —

A. — Post Office, Adelaide Street, opposite Toronto Street.

B. — City Hall, Front Street east.

C. — St. Lawrence Hall and Market, King Street east.

D. — Police Court, Court Street, running from Toronto to Church Streets.

E. — Court House, Adelaide Street east.

F. — Osgoode Hall, Queen Street west.

G. — Normal School and Educational Offices. The square is bounded on the east by Church street, north by Gerrard street, west by Victoria street, south by Gould street,

H. — Mechanics’ Institute, corner of Adelaide and Church Streets.

I. — Crystal Palace, King Street west, near city limits.

J. — General Hospital. The square is bounded on the north by Spruce Street, on the east by Sumach street, on the west by Pine Street, on the south by Gerrard Street.

K. — Lieutenant-Governor’s Residence, corner of King and Simcoe Streets.

L. — Parliament Buildings, Front Street west.

M. — Custom House, corner of Front and Yonge streets.

N. — Examining Warehouse, corner of Yonge and Esplanade Streets.

O. — Lunatic Asylum, Queen Street west (city limits).

P. — Central Prison, near Old Fort.

Q. — Adjutant-General's Office, Toronto Street.

R. — House of Industry, Power Street.

S. — Boys’ Home, Frederick Street.

T. — Girls’ Home, Gerrard Street.

U. — Horticultural Gardens. Is bounded on the north by Carlton Street, east by Sherbourne Street, south by Gerrard Street.

V. — St. Andrew’s Market, foot of Esther Street-

W. — Assistant Receiver-General’s Office, -Toronto street.

X. — Albert Hall, Yonge Street, above Queen.

Y. — Esplanade Street.

V

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

FIRE HALLS.

Yonge Street, E i, Yonge Street, between Grenville and Grosvenor Streets. Portland Street, E 2, between Richmond and Queen Streets.

Berkeley Street, E 3, between King and Duke Streets.

Court Street, E 4, Court Street.

Bay Street, E 5, between Adelaide and Temperance Streets.

Manufacturing Establishments.

Toronto Car Wheel Co

Robert Hay & Co

Withrow & Hillock

G. D. Morse & Co

Davis & Co

Dickey, Neill & Co

Fox & Co

John Perkins

John Taylor & Co

Edwin Wilby ...'.

S. S. Mutton & Co

Connor, Webb & Co

J. H. Clark & Co

to hn Holmes

Booth & Sons

J. & J. Taylor & Co..

J. P. Wagner

Joseph Gearing

Hastings & Peterkin.

Breweries.

B 2

b3

b4

b5

C3

r4 C 5

C 6 C 7 C 8 C9 C o D 1

Toronto Brewing and Malting Co

Davis Bros

Copland’s Brewery

Cosgrave & Co

Gooderham & Worts

Wholesale Warehouses.

McMaster Bros

John Macdonald & Co

Samson, Kennedy & Gemmel

Adam, Stevenson & Co

Thos. May & Co

J. Gillespie & Co

Ogilvy & Co

Thomson & Burns

Thos. Layley and Robert McPhail

Samuel Sterns

Cramp, Torrances & Co

McNab & Marsh

White & Co

Phillips, Thorne & Co 1

John Rennie & Co J

Dobbie & Carrie

J. G. Joseph & Co 1

McGiverin, Kerrigan & Co r

Galbraith, Christie & Co )

Pearcy & Stewart

Lyman Bros

John Hallam

Furniss Bros

Crane & Baird

Norris & Soper

Mason, Risch & Newcombe

John Fisken

Hughes Bros

Nelson & Sons

J7

Retail and Wholesale Stores.

Glover Harrison 40

Thomas Griffith & Co 42

Hamilton, J. P 1 .,

Cameron & Kippax 1 ^

J. H. Rogers

Walker & Ross

William Gordon

John Young

Ridout & Co

Taylor & Wilson

Bell & Co

John Riddell

Joseph Stovel

George Coleman

J. D. Nasmith

Miller & McClelland

William Hewitt & Co

James Shields & Co

Insurance Companies.

Scott & Walmsley

Lancashire Insurance Co

Western Insurance Co

British America Insurance Co

Hotels.

5°

Queen’s

Rossin

American

Windsor

St. James

Shakespeare

Johnston

Banks.

Royal Canadian Bank

Bank of Montreal

Federal Bank

Imperial Bank

Bank of Toronto

Quebec Bank

Clubs.

U. E. Club

National Club

A 1 A 2

A3 A 4

A 7

A 6

A 5

F 2 F i

Railroads.

Northern Railway Station..

RR

Colleges.

Knox College

Upper Canada College

Churches.

Metropolitan Church

St. James’ Cathedral

St. Michael’s Cathedral

St. Andrew’s Church..

M 2

3 4

LS

Residences-

G. D. Morse

H. S. Howland an

John Hallam

A. M. Smith

John McDonald

S. Nordheimer

VI

Contents

CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Rise and Growth of Towns and Cities — Toronto One Hundred Years Ago — Governor Simcoe — The First Parliament of Upper Canada — Selection of the Site for the New Capital of Upper Canada— Governor Simcoe’s Removal to York — Building of the Town Roads — Appearance of York in 1794-95 — President Russell —

First Newspaper in York — Governor Hunter — First Market — Erection of St. James’ Church — Dr. O, Stewart — York in 1806 —

The First Mail .17-27

Chapter II

Governor Gore — Difficulties of Early Settlers — Taxes in Upper Canada — Intemperance of Early Settlers — Public Morals — General Brock — Canada and the United States in 1812 — The York Militia — Defence of York — Population in 1812 — Queenston Heights — Death of General Brock — Major-General Sheaffe — Parliament of 1813 — American Attack on York — Occupation of York by the American Army — instruction of Public Buildings — Sir Gordon Drummond — Foundation of the Common School System — Stage between York and Kingston— Erection of First Methodist Church 29-41

Chapter III

Convention of Delegates to Consider the Affairs of the Province — Government Favourites — Sir Peregrine Maitland — Enlargement of St. James Church — Interior of St. James’ — York in 18-21 — Presbyterian Meeting House — York General Hospital — Presentation of Colours to the York Militia — King Street and Simcoe Street in 1821 — Sinking of Public Well — Public Whipping — Dr, Strachan — Prices of Groceries, Dry Goods, etc., etc.— William Lyon Mackenzie — Government Animosity — Population in 1824 — Destruction of the Colonial Advocate Office — University Charter; its Unfair Character — Robert Baldwin’s Entrance into Public Life — Sir John Colborne ; His First Parliament — Egerton Ryerson and the Christian Guardian — Foundation of Upper Canada College 43-67

Chapter IV

Political Excitement in York — Mackenzie’s Articles in the Colonial Advocate — First Expulsion from the House — The Division — Petitioners at the Government House — The Governor’s Reply — Procession Through the Streets — Re-election of Mackenzie — Presentation of Gold Medal — Great Procession to the House of Assembly — Mr. McNabb’s Resolution — Mackenzie again expelled from the House — Re-elected — - Disorderly Meeting in Front of the Court House — Mackenzie’s House and Printing Office

VII

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

guard p, by the citizens — Leaves for England — The Roman Catholics and Mackenzie — Song Wishing him God Speed — Mackenzie at Colonial Office — Expelled from the House for the Third Time — Re-elected in December — Again Enters the House — Excitement of the Members — Fears of a Disturbance 69-90

Chapter V

Incorporation of Toronto — Etymology of Toronto — Humber Bay — Landing Place of Indians and Traders — Signification of the Name Toronto — Robert Gourlay’s Prediction in 1818 — First Election of City Aldermen and Common Councilmen — Party Contest — William Lyon Mackenzie Elected Mayor — Condition of the City — City Finances — Value of Property — Loan from the Farmers’ Bank — Early Taxation — Public Dissatisfaction — Stormy Meeting — Accident at the Meeting — Breaking Down the Balcony — The Cholera — Stocks for Punishment of Drunkards and Vagrants — King Street in 1834 — Business Houses on King Street in 1834 — The old Masonic Hall — First Theatre and its Appliances 91-103

Chapter VI

Rumours of Approaching Insurrection — Misplaced Confidence of the Lieutenant-Governor — General Feeling of Alarm — Mackenzie’s Manifesto of Independence — - Proposed Plan of Operations — Treasonable Gatherings — Alteration of Date of Attack on Toronto — Assembling of Rebels at Montgomery’s Tavern — First Prisoners — Escape — Volunteers for Defence of Toronto — Lieutenant-Colonel Moodie’s Attempt to Warn the Government of their Danger — His Death at Montgomery’s Tavern — Alarm of the Officials in Toronto - — A Flag of Truce Sent to the Insurgents — Sir Allan McNab Arrives at Toronto with Reinforcements — Van Egmond Assumes Command of the Rebel Forces — Sir A. McNab’s Attack on the Rebel Forces — Flight of Mackenzie and the Rebel Leaders — Intense Loyalty of the People — Burning of Montgomery’s Hotel — Description of the Militia — Lieutenant-Governor’s Proclamation — Reward for Mackenzie’s Apprehension — Treatment of Prisoners — Execution of Lount and Matthews — The Feeling of the Imperial Government Respecting the Prisoners 105-123

Chapter VII

Feeling of Discontent in the City — Appointment of Sir George Arthur — Transference of the Seat of Government to Kingston — Population in 1841 and 1845 — First Issue of the Globe — Fire of 1849 — Destruction of the Cathedral — The Cholera — Numerous Deaths — Population in 1851 — Religious Persuasions — The Hon. George Brown -- Lawlessness and Vagrancy in the City — Poor Attendance at the Public Schools — Professions followed in the City in 1856-7 125-136