Financial District in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Founding of the Empire Club
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 3, 2025
1. Founding of the Empire Club Marker
The desire to start the club arose after a dispute between Canada and the United States over the Alaskan border. Britain sided with America in resolving the issue, resulting in anti-British attitudes in Canada.
The club held its first meeting on December 3, 1903. Lord Strathcona, the Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, was elected honorary president, and Joseph Chamberlain, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1895 to 1903, the first honorary member.
Over many decades, the club evolved into a speakers' forum for a broad range of topics. During this time, some speakers at the Empire Club expressed views that perpetuated and reinforced colonial attitudes and oppression. Today, speakers at the club present a range of attitudes and beliefs.
Since 1903, the club has hosted talks by influential people including astronaut Roberta Bondar, inventor Alexander Graham Bell, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, actress Audrey Hepburn, US President Ronald Reagan, and the Dalai Lama,
this page online
Erected 2024 by Heritage Toronto.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 3, 1903.
Location. 43° 38.937′ N, 79° 22.675′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in the Financial District. It is at the intersection of Yonge Street and King Street West, on the right when traveling south on Yonge Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 60 Yonge St, Toronto ON M5H 1A1, 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Dominion Bank Building (a few steps from this marker); Canadian Pacific Railway Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Methodist Church in Toronto (within shouting distance of this marker); Hotel Victoria (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Canadian Bank of Commerce Building (about 90 meters away); Charter Meeting of The Rotary Club of Toronto (about 120 meters away); The Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (about 150 meters away); The King Edward Hotel / L'hτtel King Edward (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 3, 2025
2. Founding of the Empire Club Marker
3. Founding of the Empire Club marker photo and caption detail (left)
4. Founding of the Empire Club marker photos and captions detail (right)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 8, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
