Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 15th Year - 2019

To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page

Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone in Landscape mode (Horizontal)

Village of Yorkville/Yorkville Town Hall

Photos and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted August, 2016

A set of two plaques, erected in 2016 by Heritage Toronto, can be seen together in this small park on the north side of Yorkville Avenue just west of Yonge Street. Here's what they say:

Coordinates: 43.671843 -79.388263

Click here for a larger map

Village of Yorkville

Once crossed by an ancient aboriginal trail (Davenport Road), the area known today as Yorkville was first permanently settled by those of European descent in the early 1800s. The Red Lion Inn, one of the first buildings in the area, was a stagecoach stop and vital gathering place. Economic growth was spurred by brick-making and brewing industries established from the 1830s.

The community was linked in 1849 to the City of Toronto by H.B. Williams' horse-drawn omnibus service. In 1853 it was incorporation as the Village of Yorkville. Despite annexation by the City of Toronto in 1883, Yorkville remained a quiet community of predominantly middle- and working-class people well into the 20th century.

In the 1950s, artists and actors transformed the area into a thriving arts community. By the mid- to late 1960s, Yorkville had become famous for its "hippies," folk music, and coffee houses. Redevelopment has since altered much of the old incorporated Village. Still, streets north of Yorkville Avenue, west of Avenue Road (now part of the Annex), and east of Yonge Street (now part of South Rosedale) retain much of their 19th- and early 20th-century character.

Yorkville Town Hall

Designed by William Hay, one of Toronto's most important early architects, the Yorkville Town Hall was built by William McGinnis, and opened on this site in 1860, fronting onto Yonge Street. High Victorian in style, it was constructed of local 'white' (yellow) bricks with red and blackened brick trim, and boasted three stained glass rose windows that illuminated a third-floor public hall seating 500.

In its second-floor Council Chamber, local politicians debated, among other things, "the running at large of Pigs and Swine and Poultry," the planking of sidewalks, and the "prevention of immoderate driving." In 1861, the privately owned horse-drawn Toronto Street Railway commenced service from the Town Hall to the St. Lawrence Market. After the clock tower was completed in 1889, the Town Hall's bells sounded the working day and rang for fire alarms.

After annexation in 1883 ended Yorkville's village government, the Council Chamber was used as a public library. The building also housed the Yorkville Company of the York Rangers, the Naval Club, the offices of the Toronto Street Railway, and provided space for community use.

The Yorkville Town Hall was destroyed by fire on November 12, 1941. All that remains is the carved stone coat-of-arms, since mounted on the Yorkville Fire Hall.

More
Neighbourhoods, Villages and Towns

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted August 30, 2013
Hello, my name is Robin McMillan and I was the drummer for the Rising Sons...I remember the day we were on CTV's After Four and that evening at the El Patio as well as the Flick other nights the very evening the riot took place just outside the club trying to stop cars driving through Yorkville...great times..Robin

> Posted January 28, 2008
I played in the Rock Band Manna at the El Patio every Friday in the 60's in Yorkville.

Here's where you can send me a comment for this page.

Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.

To send me your comment, click [email protected].

Thanks
Webmaster

Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click here.