Queen Street East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Dominion Square

Established 1873

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 3, 2025

1. Dominion Square Marker

Inscription. In 1873, Robert Davies, the third son of one of the most prominent families in the history of Toronto brewing, established the Dominion Brewery and built on this site in 1878. At its peak in the late 1880's, the Dominion Brewery comprised a vast array of buildings, courtyards and stables in the heart of Toronto's brewing and distilling district known as "Corktown". The brewery gained international acclaim for its lagers and ales and continued production for over 60 years until 1936, when its doors were closed. The entire complex was carefully renovated between 1987 and 1990 by The Sorbara Group, in association with Easton/Phillips Development Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 43° 39.411′ N, 79° 21.562′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Queen Street East. It is at the intersection of Queen Street East and Sumacs Street, on the right when traveling west on Queen Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Queen Street East, Toronto ON M5A 1T7, 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: St. Paul’s Basilica (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); House of Providence (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); 461 King Street East (approx. 0.4 kilometers

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away); Little Trinity Church (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Enoch Turner Schoolhouse / École Enoch Turner (approx. half a kilometer away); 403 King Street E. (approx. half a kilometer away); 55-79 Berkeley Street (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Toronto's first professional stadium: Sunlight Park 1886 - 1896 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

More about this marker. This site has three markers with the identical inscription at the west, centre and east ends of the Queen Street-facing side of the complex. The most easterly is the one used for this entry.

Dominion Square Marker (centre of photo) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 3, 2025

2. Dominion Square Marker (centre of photo)

This is at the eastern end of the complex

The Dominion Brewery, ca 1890s image. Click for full size.

3. The Dominion Brewery, ca 1890s

Former Dominion Brewery, 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 3, 2025

4. Former Dominion Brewery, 2025

Looking from the west to the east of the complex

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 5, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.