Old Town in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Bank of Upper Canada Building / L'édifice de la Banque du Haut-Canada

The Bank of Upper Canada Building /<br>L'édifice de la Banque du Haut-Canada Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022

1. The Bank of Upper Canada Building /
L'édifice de la Banque du Haut-Canada Marker

Parks Canada website entry
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Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] Chartered in 1821, the Bank of Upper Canada, was until its demise in 1866, one of British North America's leading banks. It played a significant role in the development of Upper Canada — supplying currency, protecting savings and making loans — and aided Toronto's rise as the commercial centre of the colony. This building, opened in 1827, was the second home of the bank. Its design reflects the image of conservative opulence favoured by financial institutions of the time. The portico, designed by John G. Howard, a leading architect of the period, was added about 1844.

[Français] Fondée en 1821, la Banque du Haut-Canada compta jusqu'à sa fermeture en 1866 parmi les banques les plus prospères de l'Amérique du Nord britannique. Elle contribua de façon notable au développement du Haut-Canada (émission de monnaie, protection de l'épargne, prêts) et contribua à faire de Toronto le centre commercial de la colonie. Cet édifice, ouvert au public en 1827, est le deuxième qu’occupa la Banque. Le style du bâtiment témoigne du luxe traditionnel des établissements financiers d’alors. Le portique, ajouté

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à l’édifice vers 1844, fut conçu par John G. Howard, architecte renommé de l'époque.

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 • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 1821.

Location. 43° 39.106′ N, 79° 22.249′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Old Town. Marker is on Adelaide Street East just east of George Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is mounted directly on the subject building, on the right side of the front entrance staircase. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 252 Adelaide Street East, Toronto ON M5A 1N1, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. De La Salle Institute Building (a few steps from this marker); Addition to the Bank of Upper Canada (a few steps from this marker); George Brown College (within shouting distance of this marker); York Post Office / Le Bureau de Poste de York (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Post Office & Bank of Upper Canada Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); 61-75 Jarvis Street

Bank of Upper Canada Building (<i>front portico</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022

2. Bank of Upper Canada Building (front portico)

(marker is mounted on right side of staircase)

(about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Daniel Brooke Building (about 150 meters away); Francis Collins (about 150 meters away). 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.

Also see . . .
1. Bank of Upper Canada Building (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

The bank had opened in 1821 in a nearby store and then moved to the new building in 1827. At that time, it was one of the few stone buildings in York and was the town's first bank building. It is one of the few remaining buildings in Toronto that predate the 1834 incorporation of the city. The limestone-clad building originally had two stories with a flat roof. Sometime after 1859, a new roof with dormers was added. In 1876, a mansard roof in the Second Empire style was added by the De La Salle Institute. The building has been extended twice to the north, along George Street.

(Submitted on June 6, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Toronto’s first bank — the Bank of Upper Canada. Excerpt:

The Bank of Upper Canada, Toronto’s first bank, was
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022

3. The Bank of Upper Canada Building / L'édifice de la Banque du Haut-Canada (south elevation)
chartered on April 21, 1821. In that year, the town possessed approximately 2000 inhabitants, with 209 houses, 27 shops, and 5 storehouses. It was realized that for the town to grow further, it was necessary to have a local bank, to eliminate the need to journey to Montreal or New York to secure loans. In response to the need, a group of wealthy and influential businessmen created the Bank of Upper Canada.

(Submitted on June 6, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. The Bank of Upper Canada Building. Excerpt:

The Bank of Upper Canada Building was designated a national historic site in 1977. The reasons for designation are: the role played by the Bank of Upper Canada in the development of Upper Canada and in the rise of Toronto as the commercial centre of the colony and the design of the building, reflecting the image of conservative opulence favoured by financial institutions of the time.

(Submitted on March 30, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 6, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.