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

Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

1. Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms Marker

Inscription. This coat of arms in ohio sandstone is a composite of a design by Governor John Graves Simcoe (1791-1796) to which were added the motto (religio, scientia, libertas) and the beaver by Dr. Egerton Ryerson, Ontario's first superintendent of education.

Governor Simcoe's design served as the seal of upper Canada, and Dr. Ryerson used the composite as the insignia of the Department of Education. this sculpture was placed in the facade of the normal school which stood on this site when a third floor was added in 1896.

This building, later called Ryerson Hall, was demolished in 1963.

Erected 1978 by Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 43° 39.534′ N, 79° 22.741′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge East. It can be reached from Victoria Street. The marker is in the north east corner of the Toronto Metropolitan University quadrangle, accessible from Gerard Street East. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Toronto ON M5B 1Y2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 and Model School (within shouting distance of this marker); The Toronto Normal School (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ryerson Polytechnical Institue (about 90 meters away); Ontario College of Pharmacy (about 120 meters away); Layers of Change (about 120 meters away); Oakham House (about 120 meters away); a different marker also named Oakham House (about 120 meters away); Simpsons Mail-Order Warehouse Dalhousie Street Extension (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

2. Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms Marker

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

3. Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms Marker

1907

4. The Toronto Normal School, 1907

The coat of arms is in place below the central tower Source: McCord Museum via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 1, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.