Wellington Place in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
York Hospital Site
1829-1856
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025
1. York Hospital Site Marker
Inscription.
York Hospital Site. When the military hospital closed after the War of 18 12, York was left without a hospital. Surplus funds raised by the Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada for those who suffered as a result of the war, were used to build a hospital at the north-west corner of King and John Streets. A two-storey red brick building for 100 patients was completed by 1824, but was immediately requisitioned for the legislative assembly whose building had been destroyed by fire. It was opened as a hospital in 1829, and became the Toronto General Hospital in 1834. From 1832, Dr. John Rolph used the hospital for teaching medical students, and students from King's College and Trinity College were also taught here. During the cholera epidemic of 1847 wooden sheds were built to the north and it became a fever hospital accommodating 798 patients.
When the military hospital closed after the War of 1812, York was left without a hospital. Surplus funds raised by the Loyal and Patriotic Society of Upper Canada for those who suffered as a result of the war, were used to build a hospital at the north-west corner of King and John Streets. A two-storey red brick building for 100 patients was completed by 1824, but was immediately requisitioned for the legislative assembly whose building had been destroyed by fire. It was opened as a hospital in 1829, and became
the Toronto General Hospital in 1834. From 1832, Dr. John Rolph used the hospital for teaching medical students, and students from King's College and Trinity College were also taught here. During the cholera epidemic of 1847 wooden sheds were built to the north and it became a fever hospital accommodating 798 patients.
Erected 1979 by Toronto Historical Board.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.
Location. 43° 38.805′ N, 79° 23.379′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Wellington Place. It is at the intersection of King Street West and John Street, on the right
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when traveling west on King Street West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 250 King Street W, Toronto ON M5V 1J2, 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.
3. Map of Toronto, 1834, showing the General Hospital in its original location
Source: University of Toronto (public domain)
4. Sketch of Old York Hospital built 1819. [sic]
Source: Toronto Public Library (public domain)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025
5. York Hospital Site Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 29, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.