Downtown Yonge in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Old City Hall
York County Court House
⎯⎯⎯
Ancien hôtel de ville
palais de justice du comté de York
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
1. Old City Hall / Ancien hôtel de ville Marker
Built between 1889 and 1899, this impressive Richardsonian Romanesque structure by local architect E. J. Lennox was the solution to the need of both the city of Toronto and York County for new quarters. Its superb downtown site, richly carved sandstone surfaces, and variety in colour and texture combine in a clear expression of the region’s late 19th century self-confidence. “Great buildings,” stated Mayor John Shaw at its opening, “symbolize a people’s deeds and aspirations.” This structure is among Canada’s most important examples of monumentally scaled city halls.
Construite entre 1889 et 1899 selon les plans de l'architecte E. J. Lennox, cet édifice néo-roman d’inspiration richardsonienne a servi d’hôtel de ville a Toronto et de palais de justice au comté de York. Il figure parmi les principaux exemples d’hôtels de ville monumentaux à la fin du XIXe siècle. Ses façades de grès richement ornées, la variété des couleurs et des textures, la beauté de l’emplacement expriment la confiance qui régnait dans la région au moment de la mise en chantier du bâtiment. À l’inauguration, le maire John Shaw proclama que les grands édifices symbolisent les réalisations et les aspirations d’un peuple.
Erected by Historic
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 43° 39.127′ N, 79° 22.917′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge. It is on Bay Street just north of Queen Street West, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located near the southwest corner of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 60 Queen Street West, Toronto ON M5H 2M4, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto and on the Golden Horseshoe. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
2. Old City Hall / Ancien hôtel de ville Marker
Regarding Old City Hall / Ancien hôtel de ville. Designated a National Historic Site in 1984.
Also see . . .
1. Old City Hall.
Toronto's Old City Hall was one of the largest buildings in Toronto and the largest civic building in North America upon completion in 1899. It was the home of the Toronto City Council from 1899 to 1966 and remains one of the city's most prominent structures. The building took more than a decade to build and cost more than $2.5 million (more than $53 million today). Situated(Submitted on June 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)at the front elevation, its clock tower was placed off centre to provide a terminating vista for Bay Street.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 20223. Old City Hall / Ancien hôtel de ville (southwest elevation)
2. The Story Behind Toronto’s Old City Hall.
At one time Old City Hall was the powerful political symbol of Toronto. From 1899 until 1917 the clock tower was the tallest structure in Canada. Today, the early-19th-century building still looms over Bay Street, dominating the newer surrounding structures of glass and steel. In February 2018 City Council voted 35 to three to eventually turn the aging structure into a Toronto history museum.(Submitted on June 17, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 360 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
