Yonge-Bay Corridor in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Mapping a Block in The Ward
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Cartographie d'un pâté de maisons dans le Ward
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 14, 2025
1. Mapping a Block in The Ward/Cartographie d'un pâté de maisons dans le Ward Marker
This site is part of Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Huron-Wendat Traditional Territories. It is also treaty territory, included in the 1805 Toronto Purchase from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The area remained countryside until c.1840, when Chief Justice John Beverley Robinson subdivided this block between the newly created College and Sayre streets. These street names changed over time as the neighbourhood and St. John's Ward evolved. Sayre retained its name until 1873, when it became Chestnut Street. In 1845, College became known as Centre Street. The name later changed again to Centre Avenue, after the construction of the nearby Armouries and the creation of Armoury Street. Centre Avenue was also significantly shortened at that time, resulting in renumbered addresses.
The buildings of The Ward had a completely different scale from the area today. To provide an understanding of the site's historic appearance, markers have been placed in the ground. They mark the front outlines of the buildings that once stood here, based on the Goad's fire insurance plan of
this page online
Markers in the ground also indicate the addresses of historic buildings. They record the most recent Centre Avenue and Chestnut and Armoury street address at the top. Former Sayre and Centre street addresses appear at the bottom. Each address marker refers to a building or occupants of historical interest. For better visibility, markers along Chestnut Street have been moved eastward approximately 1.5 m from their historically accurate positions.
More information about The Ward, the history of this land, and its people can be found on the Digital Kiosk, accessible inside the Courthouse.
Ce site fait partie des territoires traditionnels des Anishinaabe, des Haudenosaunee et des Hurons-Wendats. Il s'agit également d'un territoire visé par un traité, inclus dans l'Achat de Toronto conclu avec la Première Nation des Mississaugas de la Credit en 1805. La région est demeurée rurale jusqu'en 1840 environ, lorsque le juge en chef John Beverley Robinson subdivise ce pâté de maisons entre les rues College et Sayre nouvellement créées. Ces rues sont renommées au fil des ans, au gré de l'évolution du quartier. La rue Sayre conserve son nom jusqu'en 1873, année où elle est rebaptisée Chestnut. En 1845, la rue College devient la rue Centre et ensuite l'avenue Centre, après la construction
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 14, 2025
2. Mapping a Block in The Ward marker illustrations and caption detail (top)
Les proportions des bâtiments du quartier d'origine diffèrent complètement de celles d'aujourd'hui. Pour mieux apprécier l'apparence historique du site, ce dernier a été balisé de repères mémoriels. Ceux-ci indiquent les contours des façades des bâtiments qui s'y trouvaient autrefois, selon le plan d'assurance-incendie de 1924 de Charles E. Goad.
Des repères au sol indiquent également les adresses des bâtiments historiques. Les adresses les plus récentes, soit celles de l'avenue Centre et des rues Chestnut et Armoury, apparaissent en haut du repère. Les adresses plus anciennes apparaissent au bas. Chaque repère désigne un bâtiment ou des occupants présentant un intérêt historique. Les repères le long de la rue Chestnut ont été déplacés vers l'est à environ 1,5 m de leur position historique exacte pour offrir une meilleure visibilité.
De plus amples renseignements sur le Ward ainsi que sur l'histoire de ce territoire et de ses habitants sont fournis au kiosque numérique à l'intérieur du palais de justice.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 14, 2025
3. Mapping a Block in The Ward marker illustration and caption and caption detail (bottom left)
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: An Evolving Block in The Ward / Un pâté de maisons en évolution dans le Ward (here, next to this marker); Immigration, Migration, and Life in The Ward (within shouting distance of this marker); Jewish Settlement and Religion / Communauté juive et judaisme (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Life in St. John's Ward / La vie des Noirs dans le St. John's Ward (within shouting distance of this marker); A Community Church / Une église communautaire (within shouting distance of this marker); The Honourable R. Roy McMurtry (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); McMurtry Fountains / Fontaines McMurtry (about 90 meters away); Winston Churchill (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 14, 2025
4. Mapping a Block in The Ward marker illustration and caption detail (bottom right)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 14, 2025
5. Mapping a Block in The Ward/Cartographie d'un pâté de maisons dans le Ward Marker
Facing east
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 45 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 16, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
