Downtown Yonge East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Oakham House

1848

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026

1. Oakham House Marker

Inscription. The prolific Toronto architect Willam Thomas designed and built this house in the Gothic Revival style. The yellow brick exterior with two gables is embellished with spires, ten carved stone heads, and a recessed central entry framed by a pointed arch. Oakham House was Thomas’ home and place of work. His office was in a separate wing on Gould Street that was later replaced by an addition to the home. John McGee, owner of the Phoenix Foundry on Yonge Strees, bought the home in 1860 after Thomas' death. It stayed in the McGee family until the City of Toronto purchased it in 1899. The home was enlarged by architect David Brash Dick. For nearly 60 years, it was the Working Boys' Home, a boarding house for troubled and homeless boys aged 14-18. The boys would pay a weekly fee to stay here, as well as hold jobs, attend night classes on the property, and help around the building. In 1958, the Ryerson Institute of Technology, now Toronto Metropolitan University, bought the property and turned it into a student residence, recreational facility, and student centre.

Designated in 1978 under the Ontario Heritage Act

Erected 2023 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location.

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43° 39.478′ N, 79° 22.699′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge East. It is on Gould Street 0.1 kilometers west of Church Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 322 Church Street, Toronto ON M5B 1E9, 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: A different marker also named Oakham House (a few steps from this marker); The Toronto Normal School (within shouting distance of this marker); Ryerson Polytechnical Institue (within shouting distance of this marker); The Toronto Normal and Model School (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms (about 120 meters away); Simpsons Mail-Order Warehouse Dalhousie Street Extension (about 120 meters away); Robert Simpson Co. Warehouse (about 150 meters away); Ontario College of Pharmacy (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . Thomas, William (Dictionary of Canadian Biography).

In April 1843 Thomas left England for Toronto. Precisely what prompted him, in his early 40s, to emigrate with his wife and eight children or to choose Toronto for his new home is unknown. His forced bankruptcy three years earlier and the dearth of work must have been contributing causes, but the key factor was probably
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026

2. Oakham House Marker
On the left of the doorway
his ambition. Toronto, which was entering a boom period with a population of more than 15,000 but with only three practising architects, was an appealing location for an industrious architect. Thomas’s journal of his transatlantic crossing in 1843 reveals an acute and well-informed observer. He emerges from the journal as a patient and loving father, a warm and sympathetic man. Possessed of a considerable sense of humour, he was very sociable as well and enjoyed chess, card-playing, conversation, singing, and dancing. Thomas settled with his family at 5 York Street and opened an office at 55 King Street East, in the city’s main commercial district.

(Submitted on June 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

William Thomas, architect of Oakham House, ca 1830s image. Click for full size.

3. William Thomas, architect of Oakham House, ca 1830s

Toronto Public Library (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.