Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Elm Street

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2011

On the north side of Elm Street between Yonge and Bay Streets stands this 1980 Downtown Yonge plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.657731 -79.382701

Elm Street, named after a solitary elm tree which once stood like a landmark at the corner of Yonge and Elm streets, is now in the heart of the city. (By the way, the trees you see on the street now are ash, not elm.) By the mid-1890's, a variety of uses including residential, professional, light industry, clubs and churches had been established along the street.
On the north side, at 14 Elm, St. George's Hall was built in 1891 designed by Edwards & Webster, Architects. The hall was the home of the St. George's Society, founded in 1834 to maintain and foster British traditions in the new world and to assist families in distress. In 1920 the building was altered to include a great Baronial Hall designed by Henry Sproatt, Architect, for use by the Arts & Letters Club.
The Young Women's Christian Association residence and recreational building, designed by Gordon & Helliwell, Architects, was built next to St. George's Hall at No. 18, in 1891. Later it became a hotel and now, restored and extended, it will become a women's health and social club.
Also in the 1890's, the Women's Christian Temperance Union established a headquarters and residence for women in a house on the northeast corner of Bay and Elm, formerly owned by Wilmot D. Matthews, the wealthy grain merchant. Mr. Matthews was a trustee of Elm Street Methodist Church, built almost next door in 1862. Both these structures are now demolished.
At 49 Elm Street, now a Canadian Legion Hall, John Labatt built a bottling works and residence in 1898, designed by G.M. Miller, Architect.
As buildings were demolished and population shifted in the early 20th century, the street became a mixture of light industry and housing for various immigrant groups. Today with renewed interest in Toronto's core, the street is regaining some of its former popularity.

Related Toronto plaque
The St. George's Society of Toronto
St. George's Hall

Related Ontario plaque
John Kinder Labatt 1803-1866

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted January 18, 2016
I see there is one comment about someone doing research on Hygeia Hall, formerly on Elm Street. I found a reference to Hygeia Hall in an old newspaper at work and was curious about what it was as I had never heard of it. In the newspaper, which is The Toronto Daily Star for Monday April 9, 1928, it states:

Amateur Boxing
Hygeia Hall
40 Elm Street
Tuesday April 10th
8:15pm.

10 Outstanding bouts
Admission - all seats 30c, tax extra

Under the auspices of the 124th "Pals" Battalion Association

Hope this is of interest to someone!
Beth Trevail

> Posted April 10, 2010
Am researching for information on Hygeia Hall that I believe was located at 40 Elm Street in 1920s. Was it a part of the Elm Street Methodist Church or was it renamed when the church moved? Interested in the history seating capacity architecture and and stage dimensions. Was there also a gallery?
W.L. Court

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