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York was the name of Toronto, Ontario, between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.
[edit] History
The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'. He believed it would be a superior location for the capital of Upper Canada, which was then at Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake), as the new site would be less vulnerable to attack by the Americans. He renamed the location York after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, George III's second son. The Old Town of York was layed out in ten original blocks between today's Adelaide and Front street (the later following the shoreline) with the first church (St James Anglican), Town Hall and Wharf (named St Lawrence after the river) on the west and the first parliament buildings, blockhouse and windmill on the east. All land south of Lot Street (now Queen Street) was reserved for expansion of the Town or Fort by the government as 'the Commons'. North of Lot Street began the rural Township of York (divided into large 'park lots') which only slowly emerged from the natural forest. York became the capital of Upper Canada on February 1, 1796, the year Governor Simcoe returned to Britain and was temporarily replaced by Peter Russell. The Town of York had quickly outgrown the small original blocks and the street grid was extended to the west as the New Town with larger blocks varying in width between today's Jarvis Street and Peter Street. This was soon extended further to the west as the New Town Extension up to the Garrison Creek which divided the Town from the grounds of the Fort, around today's Walnut Street. The Town was also extended in the east along King Street (then a part of Kingston Road) to the Don River.
York was attacked by American forces during the War of 1812, occupied, pillaged and then partially burned down on April 27, 1813(see Battle of York). The town was reinforced and repulsed a second attack.
On March 6, 1834, York was incorporated as the City of Toronto. The first mayor of Toronto was William Lyon Mackenzie. However, Toronto was part of the regional division of York County from the late 18th century until the establishment of Metro Toronto in 1954. After 1954, York County was the area north of Steeles Avenue and later renamed York Region in 1971. [edit] DemographicsYork's population prior to the 1830s was primarily British (from Scotland, England, Wales) with a few other European settlers (French, German, Dutch, Irish). African slaves likely were found in the town, although slavery was abolished by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe. Beyond the town proper, aboriginals dominated the area. [edit] PopulationThe population figures for York from 1796 to 1834 include people living in the surrounding areas of the town centre:
Source:Statistics Canada[1] [edit] Geography Main article: Geography and climate of Toronto Much of early York was heavily wooded with the town developed along shoreline of Lake Ontario and up Lot Street or modern day Queen Street; from the Don River to Yonge Street. Later expansion of the town moved the boundaries further:
Toronto Islands was still connected to the mainland. It was wooded, with marshes in what is now Ashbridge's Bay. The climate of York was similar to that of modern Toronto, but a bit cooler given the lack of human influence on the state of the environment. [edit] TownscapeYork was surveyed by the British Army with roads in a box grid format, while others conform to the geography of the town. To the west, north and east the town was surround by forests. The shoreline along Lake Ontario was gravel or clay. [edit] Government Home District Council was responsible for municipal matters for York. In early years of the town matters was likely directed to the Executive Council of Upper Canada or the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. [edit] Fire and police servicesFire services did not exist in York, so it was likely provided by local residents with buckets of water. Soldiers at nearby Fort York also assisted in fire fighting when needed. As for policing, there was no official police force. Public order was provided by able bodied male citizens were required to report for night duty as special constables for a fixed number of nights a year on the pain of fine or imprisonment in a system known as "watch and ward."[1] [edit] ArchitectureThere was a wide variety of building styles in York, but most were of English influence in reflecting the origins of the settlers at the time. [edit] Military,_capitale_du_Haut-Canada.jpg) The first buildings in York were built by the British Army and was more or less utilitarian. With ample supply of trees from the surrounding area, they were all made of wood.
[edit] First buildings Early buildings in town were made of wood and lacked any architectural style. European influence began to impact York's buildings after the War of 1812 and when more permanent structures were built to serve the residents of the town:
A list of some of the structures built in York:
[edit] IndustrialIndustrial architecture in York began with large wood structures with agricultural influences (barn like). Towards the 1830, brick and stone became the choice of building materials. A list of industrial buildings of this era:
[edit] Places of worshipThe early church architecture varied from various styles of the 19th Century:
[edit] Government
[edit] Businesses
[edit] SchoolsChildren in York who could afford an education likely went to grammar schools. Public education was not available until the 1840s. The first post-secondary institution, King's College opened in 1827.
[edit] ResidencesMost of the more elegant homes in Toronto were built for the wealthy and powerful elite of the town.
Source: The Town of York Historical Society [2] [edit] Economy The economy of the town was limited to servicing the needs of the residents of York. Some shops and business did exists after 1800. The town likely was involved in trade of resources like wood and fur. Food was produced locally, but some had to be shipped in from outside of York. Light industries also began to appear in the town:
[edit] Infrastructure [edit] Transportation[edit] WaterThe most important and reliable form transportation in York was by water. Wharfs were built along the shore to service boats carrying goods and people to and from the town:
[edit] LandTransport to nearby towns and village was by horse and carriage or sleighs during the winter period. Few roads were built in the town and fewer leading out of the town. Most were very poor and was not preferred by travellers. With the town a number of roads were built along the grid pattern in which York was laid out. For the most part unpaved as transportation was by horse and carriage. There were planked roads from the city built in the latter years. Most of York's roads went as far east as the Don River and west to what is today's Dufferin Street, but the key streets were to east of Yonge. The northern boundary was originally Lot Street, until Dundas Street and Bloor Street were built. The southern boundary was Palace Street (Front Street). Most of York's street still exists today, a number have been renamed since:
Public transportation in York was in the form of horse drawn stagecoaches. A few operators during the period were:
[edit] HealthcarePrior to 1829 there was not formal hospital in York. Doctors were available, but more comprehensive medical care was limited. The only medical facility was at St. James’ Church or the military services at Fort York. Plans for a general hospital began in 1817, but it was not until 1829 that the town had a hospital (York General Hospital). [edit] Water supply and sewagePrior the mid-19th Century, Toronto's water supply came via wells, not Lake Ontario. It was not until after the founding of the City of Toronto did residence have an option for water from the lake and a fully public water system until 1872. As for sewage and waste, they were likely disposed of into the lake or landfills. [edit] CultureLittle is known what entertainment or cultural events were available to the residents of York. There were no music or theatres in those days as the population was small. Church-based events, lectures, concerts, travelling performers and other visiting personalities were likely the only source of culture outside of the home. Unofficially taverns, gambling, and racing was available to residents. Public hangings at the Gaol likely a crude form of entertainment. [edit] SportsThere were no professional sports events or clubs in York. Sporting activities were amateur and seasonal (mostly winter):
[edit] Public LibraryThe Mechanics' Institutes opened in 1830 and was the town's first library. [edit] MediaYork boasted many newspapers, but most folded after only a few years of operation[4]
[edit] Legacy of the name "York"The York name continues in Toronto. Several neighborhoods or larger districts of the City of Toronto still use the names of former municipalities all named directly or indirectly after the original Town of York:
And in addition to a host of minor businesses and street names, these "York" names are well known:
Outside of Toronto, major roads and highways in neighbouring communities that lead to Toronto still bear the name 'York,' such as Highway 7 in Guelph, called York Road within the city limits. [edit] See also
[edit] ReferencesCoordinates: 43°38′53″N 79°24′15″W / 43.64806°N 79.40417°W | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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