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

Officers' Brick Barracks and Mess Establishment

1815

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

1. Officers' Brick Barracks and Mess Establishment Marker

Inscription. One section of this building housed senior officers while another met most of the dining needs of all of the garrison officers. Sometimes officers lived here with their families, but most married officers lived more comfortably in town. Money vaults in the cellar protected government and bank funds during the Rebellion Crisis of 1837-39.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 43° 38.352′ N, 79° 24.259′ 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. The marker is located along the interpretive walkway at 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. North and South Soldiers' Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort York / Le Fort York (within shouting distance of this marker); Government House (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Well and Well House (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Officers' Blue Barracks

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(about 90 meters away); The Battle of York 1813 (about 90 meters away); No. 2 (Centre) Blockhouse (about 120 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. Fort York National Historic Site

Also see . . . Fort York National Historic Site. Excerpt:

The Fort York National Historic Site was built in 1793 and is the birthplace of urban Toronto. The Fort served as the city’s primary harbour defence between the 1790s and the 1880s and was the home of a military garrison until the 1930s. Fort York is where British soldiers, First Nations warriors and Upper Canadian militiamen stood together against the United States and its mission to capture Toronto in the War of 1812. The bloody Battle of York that ensued was a dark and dramatic moment in the history of the city.

(Submitted on December 11, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Barracks & Mess Diagram image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Barracks & Mess Diagram

Marker detail: 15th Foot Regiment Officer image. Click for full size.

Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University

3. Marker detail: 15th Foot Regiment Officer

An officer of the 15th Foot at the time the regiment garrisoned Toronto between 1834 and 1837. Today the building interior reflects its appearance when officers of that regiment lived here. While some common soldiers became officers, most officers came from the educated middle and upper levels of British and Canadian society. (Anonymous print, c.1835)

Marker detail: Officers' Brick Barracks & Mess,<br>late 19th century image. Click for full size.

Toronto Public Library, T-11599

4. Marker detail: Officers' Brick Barracks & Mess,
late 19th century

The Officers' Brick Barracks and Mess Establishment in the late 19th century: in its later years, the military used it for married quarters and militia administrative offices. (Anonymous photograph, 1880s.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

5. Officers' Brick Barracks and Mess Establishment Marker

Looking northeast. The marker is located on the south side of the barracks, near the west end.

Brick Barracks Interior: Chair, Boots & Stove image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

6. Brick Barracks Interior: Chair, Boots & Stove

Brick Barracks Interior: Chair & Desk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

7. Brick Barracks Interior: Chair & Desk

Brick Barracks Interior: Dining Room image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

8. Brick Barracks Interior: Dining Room

Brick Barracks Interior: Fireplace image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

9. Brick Barracks Interior: Fireplace

Brick Barracks Interior: Stove, Locker & Bed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

10. Brick Barracks Interior: Stove, Locker & Bed

Officers' Brick Barracks and Mess Establishment (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 28, 2022

11. Officers' Brick Barracks and Mess Establishment (southeast elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on December 11, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.