A brief history of Toronto, and as it was known as "muddy York", until 1834.
Toronto's history began long before the white man arrived in the early 1600s.
For hundreds of years, Toronto was populated by the Huron "First Nation" tribe
living in harmony with their natural environment. The indigenous people called the area by a name
which means "meeting place". This "Indian" word is "Tor-on-toe".
The first Europeans were French fur traders, explorers, missionary priests and a few military personnel.
A small French fort was built near (York) Toronto's west end at the mouth of the Humber River.
The Humber which connects northern lakes with Lake Ontario; was a transportation highway for the traders.
"Kanata" was a spoil of war, given to the English, by the French following their defeat in the "Seven Years" war
in Europe, and following the signing in 1763, of the "Treaty of Paris".
Thirty years had passed when the English began construction in Toronto, of "Fort York" in 1793.
This fort guarded the entrance to the harbour of this British outpost.
The small town of "York" was etablished at the east end of the protected harbour.
The name, Toronto was no longer used to identify, this part of the last of the fourteen, British colonies of North America.
Today, Fort York is a "living" museum and a treasured, Canada National Historic Site.
Fort York contains
historic buildings, enlisted and officers' quarters, gun powder magazine and blockhouses.
Toronto's first Post Office and "Enoch Turner" public school are wonderful heritage sites to be seen.
Osgoode Hall (1832) functions as modern offices for the Law Society, and the Supreme Court of Ontario.
Its iron gates are interesting, and were designed to prevent an attacking, armed force
from entering, the court house grounds easily, and, in force.
The first mayor of Toronto (1834-37) was found guilty of high treason. He was William Lyon Mackenzie.
Mackenzie lead a rebellion against the "Family Compact" in 1837. His action was caused by the "upper class"
over-ruling elected legislators and imposing their control over locally, elected government. Some of Mackenzie's
loyal followers were hung for treason against the English Crown. After his failed revolution, he was found guilty
of treason but escaped to the United States by crossing the Niagara River near the Falls.
Ten years later, and thanks to friends, he was given a pardon for his crimes and returned to Toronto.
He spent his remaining days living in "Mackenzie House", purchased for him by loyal friends.
Further west, the former home of John Howard (first civil engineer, surveyor and architect of the town of York)
is of historical significance. During the rebellion of 1837, Howard marched with the "United Empire Loyalists" against
MacKenzie's citizen revolutionaries. Howard designed many, early government and commercial buildings
in the town of York and the city of Toronto. He also, laid out plans for Osgoode Hall as town surveyor.
In his will, Howard left "Colborne Lodge" and his surrounding estate, known as
"High Park", to the city of Toronto.
Toronto is rich in having more than one surviving, city hall. The "Old City Hall" (completed in the 1890s)
was at the time, the largest city hall in North America. Toronto's first, brick city hall is located in historic, St. Lawrence Market.
(south building) Nearby, the grand, St. Lawrence Hall (1849) is a beautiful architectual treasure. Toronto's "new" City Hall
completed in 1965, has received many architectual awards, worldwide, for its unique design.
To receive more about our Toronto and Canada history tours, please contact us.
We provide history tours in the Niagara Region as well as in Toronto's downtown.
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