The Value of Investing in Canadian Downtowns - International ...

Downtown Toronto Timeline 1793 - 2011
1793 - 1921
1793 – John Graves
Simcoe founded the
“Town of York” as the
capital of the new
colony of Upper Canada
1817 – Toronto General Hospital constructed.
1834 – City of Toronto incorporated
1813 – Battle of York
fought as part of the
War of 1812. The
Americans loot the town
and set many buildings
on fire.
1827 – King’s College,
later renamed
“University of Toronto”
founded by royal
charter.
1841 – Toronto loses its capital status with
creation of United Province of Canada.
Montreal and Quebec City outpace growth
and development
1845 – Toronto Board
of Trade established.
1851 – Construction of
the railway begins.
1858 – Grand Trunk Railway builds first Union Station.
1869 – Eaton’s Department Store founded.
1873 – Second Union Station built to accommodate for
increased growth and rail traffic.
1899 – Toronto City Hall Constructed.
Now known as “Old City Hall”
1911 – Toronto Harbour Commission
created by the federal government to
improve the quality of the city’s
waterfront. Plan drafted in 1912.
1904 – The “Great Fire” destroyed much of the Toronto’s industrial and
manufacturing sector in the downtown. Toronto Industrial Exhibition (later
called the CNE) takes place for the first time.
1921 – City creates Toronto Transportation Commission
to take over from failing Toronto Railway Company.
80