Downtown Yonge East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Ryerson Polytechnical Institue

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

1. Ryerson Polytechnical Institue Marker

Inscription.
Named after the Reverend Egerton Ryerson founder of the province's educational system, the Ryerson Institute of Technology was established in 1948 to provide technological education for post-secondary school students. The buildings and many staff members of the former Toronto Training and Re-establishment Institute for veterans, located on this site, were transferred to the new Institute. Diploma courses were offered in various schools of technology, commerce, and the applied arts, and the Institute rapidly became a leading centre for technical education in Ontario. In 1964 it was renamed Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, and administration was transferred from the Ontario Department of Education to a Board of Governors. Seven years later Ryerson became a degree-granting institution.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 43° 39.479′ N, 79° 22.744′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge East. It is on Gould Street 0.2 kilometers east of Yonge Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33 Gould Street, Toronto ON M5B M5B, 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: The Toronto Normal School (a few steps from this

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marker); The Toronto Normal and Model School (within shouting distance of this marker); Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Le Coq d’Or Tavern (about 180 meters away); Ontario College of Pharmacy (about 210 meters away); Layers of Change (about 210 meters away); International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Athenaeum Club (1891) (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . .
1. Toronto university changes name amid controversy over Canadian educator's legacy (CBC).

The former Ryerson University has officially changed its name to Toronto Metropolitan University. The name change is not about erasing history, he added, saying it's "the start of a new chapter ... as we move forward with a name that better reflects those values and aspirations."

Statue of Egerton Ryerson, toppled after Toronto rally, 'will not be restored or replaced'

Lachemi also explained the committee didn't choose an Indigenous name because the university needs a name "that will unite all of us and not really represent a small group of people or communities within our community."

(Submitted on October 31, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Everton Ryerson, ca 1850-51 image. Click for full size.

circa 1850

2. Everton Ryerson, ca 1850-51

Source: Archives of Ontario (public domain)

2. Egerton Ryerson (the Canadian Encyclopedia).

Ryerson believed that poverty should not be a roadblock to education and that Canada West should have a free and mandatory public education system. “The branches of knowledge which it is essential that all should understand, should be provided for all, and taught to all,” he wrote. Education “should be brought within the reach of the most needy, and forced upon the attention of the most careless.” Ryerson felt education was the most effective way to prevent “pauperism [poverty], and its natural companions, misery and crime.”

(Submitted on October 31, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Additional commentary.
1.
The name of Ryerson Polytechnic was changed to Ryerson University in 2002, and Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022

— Submitted October 31, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

3. Ryerson Polytechnical Institue Marker

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

4. Ryerson Polytechnical Institue Marker

Bottom left of photo

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 31, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.