Aurora in York Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Doan Hall

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 9, 2026

1. Doan Hall Marker

Inscription. Near this site stood Doan Hall, a substantial brick house built in 1855 by Charles Doan (1808-1895). To the south was Doan's general store, Charles Doan served as postmaster and in 1854 named this community "Aurora", after the goddess of the dawn. The arrival of the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railroad the previous year had brought the dawn of a new era to the crossroads hamlet formerly known as Machell's Corners. Doan was elected reeve when Aurora was formally incorporated as a village in 1863. Doan Hall was dismantled in 1969.

Erected 1995 by Town of Aurora Herifage Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 43° 59.99′ N, 79° 28.073′ W. Marker is in Aurora, Ontario, in York Region. It is at the intersection of Yonge Street and Wellington Street West, on the right when traveling south on Yonge Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Yonge Street, Aurora ON L4G 1N5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto,

specifically on the Golden

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Horseshoe,

in the York, Durham and Headwaters Area,

and in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

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 Old Post Office" (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Settlement of Aurora (about 210 meters away); The Barn: a Necessity for Rural Doctors (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); A Historic Landscape (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); A Place to Relax and Celebrate (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Many Lives of Hillary House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); A Look Outside Hillary House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Using the Grounds (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aurora.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 9, 2026

2. Doan Hall Marker

Facing north on Yonge street

Doan Hall, ca 1900 image. Click for full size.

3. Doan Hall, ca 1900

Source: Aurora Museum and Archives (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 16, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.