Fort York-Liberty Village

Brunswick-Baker-Collender Factory
40 Hanna Avenue
This heritage-designated building is representative of the remarkable transformation of the area now known as Liberty Village from an industrial powerhouse to a dynamic residential and commercial area. It was originally constructed in 1905 as a factory for the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, at the time the largest manufacturer in the world of billiards equipment (the section of Hanna Road in front of the building was appropriately given the moniker Snooker Street). It was designed by Toronto architect Henry Simpson, who for a time articled with the legendary EJ Lennox, and designed several other industrial properties in this area. The factory shut down in 1960, and like many other similar industrial structures in Liberty Village, has since been converted to a retail and office complex, with the Brunswick-Balke-Collender name still adorning the south side of the building.

Toronto Central Prison Chapel
70 East Liberty Street
This heritage-designated chapel located in Liberty Village Park was part of what was once a large prison complex. The Toronto Central Prison, constructed in the early 1870s, occupied much of the land between present day Hanna Avenue and Strachan Avenue. It was intended to be an industrial facility, as it was widely believed at the time that prisoners should be put to work while incarcerated, and included a woolen mill, blacksmiths, furniture shop, kitchen, and bakery. The prison quickly became notorious for its dreadful conditions, as inmates were regularly subjected to brutal beatings, whippings, and prolonged periods of solitary confinement. Most of the prison complex was closed and demolished by 1920. The only remaining building of the complex is this chapel, which was constructed in 1877. There have been several attempts to revitalize the building, but none have come to fruition as of yet.

The Shoreline: A Place of Meetings / Fort York
250 Fort York Boulevard
Fort York was originally located along the shoreline of Lake Ontario, strategically located at the Western entrance to the Toronto Harbour, strengthening the defensibility of York further to the East. On April 27, 1813 the fort was attacked by a force of 2,700 American soldiers on fourteen ships. In addition to the British soldiers stationed at the fort, a force of Anishinaabe warriors helped in the defensive effort. The Anishinaabe warriors used guerilla-style tactics to snipe at the Americans while concealing their numbers and position within the trees located along the shoreline. The Americans eventually overwhelmed the fort's defenses, the fort was destroyed, and the settlement of York was looted for several days. The fort's defenses were rebuilt, but as the defensive importance of the fort declined and with the increasing prominence of rail transportation in the 1850s, Toronto's shoreline around Fort York began to be filled in to make way for railways. All the land currently to the south of Fort York is thus land fill added since the nineteenth century. A new installation at the Visitor Center attempts to recall the original landscape that bordered the city using weathered steel panels and landscaping that align with the contours of the original shoreline. The recreated shoreline allows visitors to contemplate the vastness of Lake Ontario, and the drastic changes that the land has undergone.

Douglas Coupland 'Monument to the War of 1812'
600 Fleet Street
This public art installation created by acclaimed writer and artist Douglas Coupland was unveiled in 2008. It depicts one toy soldier - coloured gold and wearing the 1813 Royal Newfoundland Regiment uniform - standing over another large toy soldier - coloured silver and wearing the 16th United States Infantry Regiment uniform. It is meant to symbolize the success of the British North American forces in resisting the American invasion in the War of 1812. Coupland has said that the installation is intended as a counterpoint to recent historical revisionism, which suggests that the Americans won the war. The company who manufactured the toy soldiers usually manufactures dinosaurs for theme parks.

Georganna Malloff and Ne Chi Zu Works 'Dreamwork of the Whales'
Northwest Corner of Little Norway Park - 659 Queen's Quay West
This spectacular piece of public art was conceived and produced in 1980 by a group of Toronto artists based in Vancouver known as Ne Chi Zu Works. It is carved from a 700-year old tree that was cut down near Squamish, British Columbia and then sent to Toronto on a flatbed train. It took the artists 4 months to carve the design, and it was raised by a group of over 300 volunteers on October 13, 1981.

Queen's Wharf Lighthouse
651 Fleet Street
*Please observe from sidewalks across the street on Fleet Street or Lake Shore Boulevard. Wedged on a small, landlocked parcel of grass between Fleet Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West sits an unexpected sight - one of only two nineteenth century lighthouses remaining in Toronto. It was designed by Kivas Tully, who was the official architect for the Province of Ontario from 1868 to 1896. It originally stood at the foot of Bathurst Street overlooking the Queen's Wharf, guiding ships safely into the western harbour. After the wharf was filled in 1911, the lighthouse was decommissioned, and was moved 450 metres to its current spot in 1929. It was restored by the City of Toronto in 1988.

Monument and Memory: The Second Invasion of York, 1813 / Coronation Park
711 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Coronation Park was established in 1937. The trees planted there commemorate veterans of the First World War and other battles, including the 1885 Metis resistance and the Fenian raids of 1866. First Nations and Metis people have a long history of fighting alongside Britain and later Canada in many wars. For example, during the War of 1812, 8410 Anishinaabeg warriors fought alongside the British against the Americans. Government records estimate that over 4000 Indigenous people enlisted in the First World War, however the true number is likely much higher as Metis and First Nations people without 'Indian Status' were not recognized as Indigenous in the records. Francis Pegahmagabow was Ojibwe, a member of Wasauksing First Nation, a decorated First World War veteran, and part of the 1st Canadian Division which is commemorated in the park. He is recognized as a war hero and was the deadliest sniper of the First World War, having killed 378 enemy soldiers. Like many status Indian veterans who returned home after fighting for Canada, he was not allowed to vote in Canadian elections and was still considered to be a ward of the state by the federal government. On the southern edge of the park is the Victory-Peace Monument. Over 3000 Indigenous people are recognized to have fought in the Second World War, however, just like in the First World War the real number is likely much higher. One of the most decorated Indigenous soldiers in Canadian history was Tommy Prince. He was Ojibwe, a member of Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation, and a residential school survivor. He earned 11 medals during his military career. He was a member of an elite unit referred to as 'the Devil's Brigade' by the Germans. It was a specialized group made up of both American and Canadian soldiers. His bravery and skill on the field earned him both a Military Medal (Canadian) and a Silver Star (American).

Toronto Inukshuk Park
789 Lake Shore Boulevard West
The Toronto Inukshuk Park, formerly Battery Park, is home to the Toronto Inukshuk, a legacy project to commemorate World Youth Day in 2002 that brings an important symbol of Canada's Aboriginal people to the people of Toronto. An Inuit stone structure often found in the arctic landscape, the Inukshuk serves as a guide to travellers on land and sea, providing comfort, advice and spatial orientation. One of the largest of its kind in North America, the structure stands 30 feet high with an arm span of 15 feet. Approximately 50 tonnes of mountain rose granite was used to create the Inukshuk, which was made by internationally acclaimed Inuit artist Kellypalik Qimirpik from Kinngait, Nunavut (formerly known as Cape Dorset).

Stanley Barracks
111 Princes' Boulevard
This heritage-designated building was once part of a larger military post constructed here intended to replace Fort York. It was constructed in 1840-41, and consisted of 7 limestone structures around a parade square. It was renamed the Stanley Barracks in 1893 after Governor General Lord Stanley. This building - which was the Officers' Quarters - is all that remains of this original complex. An historical plaque just north of the building notes the unfortunate fact that the barracks were used as a receiving station for the internment of Ukrainians and many other Europeans during the First World War, when they were regarded as potential enemy aliens.

Ontario Place and Trillium Park
955 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Originally opened in 1971, Ontario Place was a theme park that was intended to showcase the unique features of Ontario through various exhibits. It was designed by architect Eberhard Zeidler, and was constructed on three man-made islands along the shore of Lake Ontario. The park featured children's playgrounds, a water park, and numerous amusement rides. Ontario Place was closed in 2012, but several elements of the park remain in use, including the Budweiser Stage concert venue, and the Cinesphere movie theatre. The Cinesphere is notable in that it was the world's very first IMAX theatre. The grounds were partially rejuvenated in 2017 when Trillium Park was opened, a gorgeous 7.5-acre green space that was designed in consultation with people from across Ontario, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and offers fantastic views of Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto.

BMO Field
170 Princes' Boulevard
Canada's first soccer-specific stadium, BMO field is the home of Canada's National soccer team, Toronto FC - the very first Major League Soccer franchise in Canada, and the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts. It initially opened in 2007, and has hosted many major events in the ensuing years, including the 2016 Grey Cup, the 2016 MLS Cup, the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, and International Rugby and Lacrosse games. Several pieces of intriguing public art can be found in and around the stadium, including Ronald Satok's 'Face Off' over the western entrance and Stephen Cruise's 'Arc of Nations' at the north entrance.

Early Exhibition Buildings
Plaque located in front of the Press Building at 210 Princes' Boulevard
A plaque notes the historical and architectural significance of five separate buildings located nearby on the Exhibition Place grounds: the Press (1904), Music (1907), Horticulture (1907), Government (1912), and Fire Hall and Police Station (1912). They were all designed by noted architect G.W. Gouinlock and are considered to be the finest group of Exhibition buildings in Canada. Largely constructed in service to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), they act as a reminder of the importance of the event as the major industrial and agricultural fair of the time. The buildings are now home to a variety of different organizations, including Medieval Times in the Government Building.

Kris Nahrgang 'Unity Pole'
210 Princes' Boulevard
Incorporates the traditional medicinal colour palette of indigenous peoples: red, white, black and yellow, and embraces such universal symbols as the turtle (mother earth), the bear (family), and the eagle (flies between the spiritual and the mutable worlds).

CNE Bandshell
CNE Grounds
This heritage-designated outdoor concert venue originally opened in 1936 as a permanent structure intended to replace earlier open-air band stages. It was designed in Art Deco style by architectural firm Craig & Madill, heavily influenced by the Hollywood Bowl amphitheatre in Los Angeles. The stage is large enough to accommodate a 100-piece band. The Bandshell hosts the opening ceremonies for the CNE each year, and past dignitaries that have spoken during this event include Prime Minster Mackenzie King and Governor General Vincent Massey. Countless legendary musical acts have graced the stage of the Bandshell over the years, including artists such as Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, Salt-N-Pepa, Susan Aglukark, Jose Feliciano, and many, many others.

Scadding Cabin
CNE Grounds
This is Toronto's oldest-surviving house, originally constructed for John Scadding in 1794. It was originally built on the east side of the Don River, where Scadding had been granted about one hundred hectares of land stretching from Lake Ontario to present-day Danforth Avenue. The cabin changed hands a few times before being granted to the York Pioneers Association, an organization dedicated to historical preservation of early settler history formed in 1869 and considered to be the oldest of its kind in Canada. They arranged to have the cabin moved to this location for the inaugural Toronto Industrial Exhibition in 1879, which later evolved into the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). The interior of the cabin is open to the public every day during the CNE.