Fashion District in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

George Crookshank House

circa 1834

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

1. George Crookshank House Marker

Inscription. Built as a pair of Georgian, semi-detached houses by George Crookshank, a prominent businessman and politician, this building has had a variety of uses. In 1876, it was converted into a girls' school. A third floor was added and the residences were combined. From 1909 to 1922, it was a receiving home for impoverished children brought to Canada to work on farms or as domestic servants by the Dr. Barnardo's Homes charity. Promised a new life, many of the more than 100,000 Home Children, transported by various aid groups, were denied pay, education, and the comforts of family life. Many were abused. The Crookshank House became a warehouse in the 1920s and, in the 1980s, a steel and glass enclosure was built over the entrance. In 1996, it was altered again to house the Second City Theatre. The remainder of the 1834 brick facade was conserved as part of a hotel development in 2012.

Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, 2007

Erected 2018 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Immigration. In addition, it is

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included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 43° 38.723′ N, 79° 23.532′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in the Fashion District. It is on Blue Jays Way 0.1 kilometers south of King Street West, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 56 Blue Jays Way, Toronto ON M5V 2G3, 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,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Canadian Westinghouse Building (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Canada’s First Victoria Cross (about 210 meters away); York Hospital Site (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Balfour Building (approx. 0.3 kilometers

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

2. George Crookshank House Marker

Marker is to the left of the entrance

away); Isabella Valancy Crawford (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Glenn Gould (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); National Farm Radio Forum / Le National Farm Radio Forum (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Rod Robbie Bridge (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 30, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.