Corktown in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
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École Enoch Turner
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025
1. Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Marker
In 1849, this building opened as Ward Street School, Toronto's first free school. Enoch Turner, a wealthy local brewer, financed the construction and operation of this school on land donated by Little Trinity Church. Its students were neighbourhood children of poor immigrant families, many of whom were Irish. The Toronto Board of Education assumed responsibility in 1851 when municipally funded education was adopted, and renamed it Trinity Street School. In 1859, the school moved to a new location and this structure and property were returned to Little Trinity Church. Following the addition of the west wing in 1869, the building served as a Sunday school and community hall. Threatened with demolition in the late 1960s, the Gothic Revival schoolhouse was saved and restored by concerned citizens including architect Eric Arthur. It re-opened as a museum in 1972 and remains the oldest school structure in Toronto.
En 1849, cet édifice est inauguré en tant que Ward Street School. Il s'agit de la première école libre de Toronto. Enoch Turner, un brasseur local fortuné, finance la construction et le fonctionnement de cette école érigée sur un terrain gracieusement cédé par la Little Trinity Church. Les élèves sont des enfants du quartier issus de familles d'immigrés démunies, d'origine irlandaise pour la plupart. Le conseil scolaire de Toronto assume la responsabilité de cette école en 1851, lorsque le financement de l'éducation est pris en charge par la municipalité, et la rebaptise Trinity Street School. En 1859, l'établissement déménage et ce bâtiment, ainsi que la propriété, sont restitués à la Little Trinity Church. Après l'ajout de l'aile ouest en 1869, cet édifice est utilisé en tant qu'école du dimanche et salle communautaire. Menacée de démolition à la fin des années 1960, l'école de style néogothique est sauvée et restaurée par des citoyens dévoués, dont l'architecte Eric Arthur. Elle rouvre ses portes en 1972, en tant que musée, et demeure à ce. jour le plus ancien bâtiment scolaire de Toronto.
Erected by Ontario
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 43° 39.179′ N, 79° 21.686′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Corktown. It is on Trinity Street 0.1 kilometers south of King Street East, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 Trinity Street, Toronto ON M5A 3C7, 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: Little Trinity Church (within shouting distance of this marker); 461 King Street East (about 120 meters away,
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025
2. Enoch Turner Schoolhouse/ École Enoch Turner Marker (français)
Also see . . .
1. History - the Schoolhouse (Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation).
Historians believe that Henry Bowyer Lane (1817-1878), an English architect who worked in Canada from about 1841 to 1847 designed both the schoolhouse and Little Trinity Church at the same time. He was also responsible for several other important Toronto buildings including the City Hall and St. Lawrence Market.(Submitted on April 17, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
2. Neighbours: Enoch Turner, Brewer (distillarydistric.com).
Of particular note for the neighbourhood were Little Trinity Church on King Street and the adjacent Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. Designed by Henry Bowyer Lane, the 1843 church is simple(Submitted on April 17, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)but elegant. (The ogive arches perhaps inspired distillery architect, David Roberts Jr., when he designed the Gooderham Building 50 years later.) Turner, like Gooderham and Worts, donated money and time to its growth. As for the 1848 schoolhouse bearing his name, it was also supported by his neighbours, but would not have been built without his critical financial impetus.Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 20253. Enoch Turner Schoolhouse/ École Enoch Turner Marker
3. Mrs. Henderson's Classroom | Welcome to the Schoolhouse (YouTube, 3:11). “Welcome to the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse! Established in 1848, it was the first free school in Toronto, and the oldest school still standing. Here, you’ll be introduced to Mrs. Henderson, the schoolmarm, as she walks you through some of the history of the school and education in Victorian Toronto.” (Submitted on April 17, 2025.)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025
4. Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, 2025
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 17, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
