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

Draper Street

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

1. Draper Street Marker

Inscription. Draper Street's Empire-style cottages were built in 1881 and 1882, while its larger homes were constructed between 1886 and 1889. The street - a designated heritage conservation district - is unusual because its residential character survived the overall industrialization of the King-Spadina neighbourhood in the twentieth century. Draper Street has been a haven for people of many backgrounds, such as Lincoln Alexander, who was born here in 1922 to West Indian parents, and who served as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991. The name of the street honours William Henry Draper (1801-77), a pre-confederation lawyer and conservative politician, who was the virtual prime minister of the United Province of Canada from 1844 to 1847. He subsequently became a judge, eventually being appointed Chief Justice of post-Confederation Ontario in 1869.

Erected 2001 by City of Toronto Culture Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 43° 38.545′ N, 79° 23.868′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in

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the Fashion District. It is on Draper Street 0.1 kilometers south of Wellington Street West, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 Draper Street, Toronto ON M5V 2M3, 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: 19 Draper Street (here, next to this marker); 21 Draper Street (here, next to this marker); 17 Draper Street (a few steps from this marker); 23 Draper Street (a few steps from this marker); 18 Draper Street (a few steps from this marker); 15 Draper Street (a few steps from this marker); 25 Draper Street (a few steps from this marker); 16 Draper Street (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 20, 2025

2. Draper Street Marker

William Henry Draper ca 1870s image. Click for full size.

circa 1870s

3. William Henry Draper ca 1870s

Source: Archive.org (public domain)

The Hon. Lincoln Alexander image. Click for full size.

4. The Hon. Lincoln Alexander

Official portrait as Lt.- Governor of Ontario

Draper Street in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

5. Draper Street in 2025

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 107 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 30, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.