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

Copp Clark Co. Complex

1909 (with additions)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

1. Copp Clark Co. Complex Marker

Inscription. This collection of industrial buildings was designed by architectural firm Wickson and Gregg for Copp Clark Co., which became Canada's longest continuously operating book publisher. Founded as a printing company by Hugh Scobie in 1841, the business was bought by William Walter Copp and Henry James Clark in the 1860s after Scobie's death. The company's factory was destroyed in the Great Fire of Toronto in 1904. This building, which has Edwardian Classical details, was its replacement. It opened in 1909 and was enlarged in 1912 and 1928. Copp Clark printed textbooks, maps, and popular literature. Their Canadian Almanac, a collection of facts about Canada, has been printed since 1848.

Designated in 1979 under the Ontario Heritage Act

Erected 2021 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 43° 38.571′ N, 79° 23.957′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in the Fashion District. It is at the intersection of Wellington Street West and Portland Street, on the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

right when traveling east on Wellington Street West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 517a Wellington Street W, Toronto ON M5V 3L8, 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: The Broad Arrow (within shouting distance of this marker); Surviving Gravestones of the Military Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); 32 Draper Street (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); 30 Draper Street (about 90 meters away); 28 Draper Street (about 120 meters away); 26 Draper Street (about 120 meters away); 29 Draper Street (about 120 meters away); 18 Draper Street (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Copp Clark Co. Complex Marker (on the right of the doorway) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 38/2025

2. Copp Clark Co. Complex Marker (on the right of the doorway)

Copp Clark Co. Complex in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2025

3. Copp Clark Co. Complex in 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 30, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.