St. Lawrence in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

165 Front Street East

1889

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025

1. 165 Front Street East Marker

Inscription. The Toronto Street Railway Company built this three storey Renaissance Revival style stable and car barn to designs by architect H. G. Salisbury in order to house its fleet of horse drawn streetcars. In 1891, when the Toronto Street Railway ceased operating, its successor, the Toronto Railway Company, took over the building and converted it to a steam power plant for the city's first regular electric streetcar service, which began in August 1892. A 76 metre chimney (now demolished) at the rear of the power plant was one of the tallest structures in Toronto in the 1890s. Photographers liked to take pictures of the city from the top of the chimney. In 1921, when the city owned Toronto Transportation Commission absorbed the Toronto Railway Company, the building became a depot and warehouse. Zeidler Partnership Architects performed an extensive, award winning renovation of the building for Young People's Theatre in 1977.

Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, 1976

Erected 2016 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 43° 39.002′ N,

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79° 22.135′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in St. Lawrence. It is at the intersection of Front Street East and Frederick Street, on the right when traveling east on Front Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 165 Front St E, Toronto ON M5A 1E3, 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: Toronto Packing House (a few steps from this marker); The First Ten Blocks of York (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Underground Railroad Restaurant (about 120 meters away); Stationery and Dry Goods Shop (about 150 meters away); Home District School (about 150 meters away); Little York Hotel (about 150 meters away); Imperial Bank of Canada (about 150 meters away); Chief Wabakinine (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2024

2. 165 Front Street East Marker

in Toronto.

Also see . . . Toronto Street Railway (wikipedia).

After the Williams Omnibus Bus Line had become heavily loaded in 1861, the city of Toronto issued a transit franchise (Resolution 14, By-law 353) for a horse-drawn street railway. The winner was Alexander Easton's Toronto Street Railway, which was required to build streetcar lines along Yonge, Queen and King Streets. Service was required to be 16 hours per day, 14 in winter with a headway of no more than 30 minutes at a speed not to exceed 6 mph (10 km/h). The fare was 5 cents with no transfer privileges and no discounted fare for children.

(Submitted on April 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Horse-drawn cars of the Toronto Street Railway, ca 1890 image. Click for full size.

circa 1890

3. Horse-drawn cars of the Toronto Street Railway, ca 1890

Library ad Archives Canada (public domain)

165 Front Street (currently Young People’s Theatre), 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025

4. 165 Front Street (currently Young People’s Theatre), 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.