Trinity-Bellwoods in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Rediscovering Garrison Creek

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

1. Rediscovering Garrison Creek Marker

Inscription. Garrison Creek once flowed south through ravine land from the ancient Lake Iroquois shoreline, now at Davenport Road, to Lake Ontario. Along the way, it provided a fresh water source for Fort York.

With the westwand expansion of the City of Toronto in the late 1880s, the creek was enclosed in a 2.5m diameter Victorian brick sewer and the ravine filled in. Today, all that remains are traces of the ravine, visible in city parks along the course of the former creek.

Surrounded by "water" in 24 languages, this map shows the route of the original waterway superimposed over neighbourhood streets. Rediscovering Garrison Creek makes it possible to connect the ancient Lake Iroquois shoreline with the present day Lake Ontario shoreline.

Erected 1996 by City of Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list.

Location. 43° 38.747′ N, 79° 24.696′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Trinity-Bellwoods. It is at the intersection of Queen Street West, on the right when traveling west on Queen Street West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Gore Vale Avenue, Toronto ON M6J 1G3, 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 markers are within walking distance of this marker: Major-General the Hon. Aeneas Shaw (about 90 meters

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away, measured in a direct line); Trinity College (about 150 meters away); Memorial Wall Plaques Dedicated to Patient Labourers (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); John Gibson House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); St. Hilda’s College (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Church of the Good Samaritan (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Chr. Hansen’s Laboratory (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Massey-Harris Company (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . Garrison Creek, Toronto (hidden waters blog).

As the stream’s name indicates, in the early years of Toronto, it had a close connection to Fort York, the military base near its mouth that was built to repel an American invasion. It had a key role in the development of the city as the source of its water. With industry encroaching, pollution drove the stream beneath the surface, but a revival of sorts in now underway.

(Submitted on October 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

2. Rediscovering Garrison Creek Marker

Rediscovering Garrison Creek marker detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

3. Rediscovering Garrison Creek marker detail

From a map of York (Toronto) 1823, showing Fort York and Garrison Creek image. Click for full size.

4. From a map of York (Toronto) 1823, showing Fort York and Garrison Creek

Source: University of Toronto

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 490 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.