St. Lawrence in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Canada’s First Electric Telegraph
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Premier Télégraphe Électrique Canadien
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025
1. Canada’s First Electric Telegraph/Premier Télégraphe Électrique Canadien Marker
this page online
Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 19, 1846.
Location. 43° 38.946′ N, 79° 22.315′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in St. Lawrence. It is at the intersection of Front Street East and Market Street, on the right when traveling east on Front Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 93 Front Street East, Toronto ON M5E 1C3, 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: Chief Wabakinine (within shouting distance of this marker); 71 Front Street East (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. Lawrence Hall (about 120 meters away); Mary Ann Shadd Cary (about 150 meters away); The First Ten Blocks of York (about 150 meters away); Gooderham “Flatiron” Building (about 150 meters away); Cholera Epidemics of 1832 & 1834 (about 150 meters away); York Council Chambers (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Also see . . . Fifty Words a Minute: History of the Telegraph in Toronto (Heritage Toronto).
By the mid-1840s, the(Submitted on April 15, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)U.S. had many telegraph companies that delivered telegrams across the country. Local news could now be relayed quickly from one city to another, which greatly benefited newspapers. It was this access to information that made Toronto newspapers want a wire set-up of their own. This outcome was made possible by a collaboration between hardware merchant T. D. Harris and members of Gamble and Boulton law firm, including Toronto mayor William H. Boulton. They met with the Livingston and Wells construction company to discuss extending the telegraph line from Buffalo to Toronto.Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 20252. Canada’s First Electric Telegraph/Premier Télégraphe Électrique Canadien Marker
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025
3. The St. Lawrence Market, Toronto
The marker is visible at the lower right of the building, in between the two entrances
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
