Fort York in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Fort York / Le Fort York

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

1. Fort York / Le Fort York Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English]
Fort York constituted the primary defensive position in early York (Toronto). The present bildings, erected between 1813 and 1815 to replace those destroyed during the American occupations of York in 1813, are among the oldest in Toronto and are important surviving examples of British military architecture. At the turn of the 20th century, the fort was threatened with demolition. The fight to save it led to one of the first victories of the Canadian heritage movement. The fort was bought by the city in 1909 and restored between 1932 and 1934 as part of Toronto’s centennial celebration.

[Français]
Le fort York constituait le principale ouvrage défensif de la ville de York (Toronto) à ses débuts. Les bâtiments actuels, construits entre 1813 et 1815 pour remplacer ceux détruits lors des occupations américaines de 1813, comptent parmi les plus vieux à Toronto et offrent des exemples importants de l'architecture militaire anglaise. En 1909, le mouvement canadien pour la conservation du patrimoine connut l’une de ses premières victoires lorsque le fort, menacé de démolition au début du siècle,

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fut acheté par la ville. Il fut restauré entre 1932 et 1934 dans le cadre des fêtes du centenaire de Toronto.

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada/Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Forts and Castles • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.

Location. 43° 38.352′ N, 79° 24.219′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Fort York. Marker can be reached from Fort York Boulevard, 0.2 kilometers north of Lake Shore Boulevard West. Marker is located along the walkway near the center of the Fort York National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto ON M5V 3K9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Officers' Blue Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Government House (within shouting distance of this marker); Officers' Brick Barracks and Mess Establishment (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); North and South Soldiers' Barracks (within shouting distance of

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

2. Fort York / Le Fort York Marker

(looking south across the Fort York National Historic Site • elevated Gardiner Expressway visible in background)

this marker); No. 2 (Centre) Blockhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Well and Well House (within shouting distance of this marker); Circular, or Government House, Battery (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fort York National Historic Site

Also see . . . A Brief History of Fort York.

John Graves Simcoe ordered the construction of a garrison on the present site of Fort York in 1793. Simcoe wanted to establish a naval base at Toronto in order to control Lake Ontario because of a war scare with the United States resulting from Britain's alliance to the native people of the Ohio Country, who were engaged in a brutal conflict with the Americans to preserve their territories. In 1812, the United States declared war and invaded Canada. On 27 April 1813, the U.S. Army and Navy attacked York with 2700 men on fourteen ships and schooners, armed with eighty-five cannon. The defending force of 750 British, Canadians, Mississaugas, and Ojibways had twelve cannon. Between 1932 and 1934, the City
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

3. Fort York / Le Fort York Marker (on left)
(looking east • downtown Toronto in background • reconstructed Officer's Barracks behind marker • No. 2 Blockhouse on right)
of Toronto restored Fort York to celebrate the centennial of the incorporation of the city in 1834. On Victoria Day 1934, Fort York opened as a historic site museum. Today, its defensive walls surround Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings.

(Submitted on June 5, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 475 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.