Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Landing of American Troops at York

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted September, 2014

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted July, 2014

Photo Source - Toronto Public Library

Photo Source - Wikipedia Commons

Photo Source - Wikipedia

Along the lakeshore on the Martin Goodman Trail, just east of the Boulevard Club, can be found this 2013 Heritage Toronto plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.635532 -79.441897

The Battle of York, an engagement in the War of 1812, commenced in the early morning of April 27, 1813, when about 2,550 American soldiers and seamen began their assault on the town of York (now Toronto), the capital of Upper Canada. They landed in boats near this site. The Americans were met by about 60 Anishinaabeg under Major James Givins, who fired a deadly volley into the 1st Rifle Regiment, the first company to come ashore. This regiment was reinforced by three other American companies, led by Brigadier General Zebulon Pike, allowing the attackers to regain their composure and force the Anishinaabeg into the woods.

A company of the British 8th Regiment of Foot joined the battle. Although outnumbered three to one, they fired a rifle volley and charged into the enemy ranks, driving them into the lake. However, constant fire from American troops and warships finally sent York's defenders eastward in retreat. The American forces pushed on to capture Fort York - and to victory in the battle.

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