Old Town in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Home District School

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 3, 2025

1. Home District School Marker

Inscription. On this site, on June 1, 1807, the Rev. George Okill Stuart opened the first public school at York in a small one-storey stone building attached to his modest frame house. In 1813 the school was removed to a barn at the corner of King and Yonge streets where classes were held until 1816 when the “Old Blue School” was erected on Church Street.

Erected by The York Pioneer and Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1807.

Location. 43° 39.04′ N, 79° 22.23′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Old Town. It is at the intersection of King Street East and George Street, on the right when traveling east on King Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 187 King St E, Toronto ON M5A 4L8, 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,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 York Hotel (here, next to this marker); The Great Fire of 1849 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The First Ten Blocks of York (about 90 meters away); The Daniel Brooke Building (about 90 meters away); George Brown College (about 120 meters away); 61-75 Jarvis Street (about 120 meters away); Underground Railroad Restaurant (about 120 meters away); The Bank of Upper Canada Building / L'édifice de la Banque du Haut-Canada (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . Education in Upper Canada- 1790’s to 1850s (Brock University).

In 1807, the District School Act signalled the first official action in government-aided schooling. The act allocated one school to each district; however, it also required the payment of tuition. Tuition meant that education would not be available to all children due to lack of financial means. Critics argued that this arrangement was reserved for
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 3, 2025

2. Home District School Marker
the rich and that these schools resembled the elite grammar schools found in England. Critics called for a true system of common schooling that would be available to all…

(Submitted on May 4, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 3, 2025

3. Home District School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 4, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.