Historic photos from around Fort York, Toronto

Just west of Bathurst Street, the current 'Old Fort' was built by the British Army and Canadian militia troops just after the War of 1812. When it was built it guarded the only entrance to Toronto Harbour from attack by American forces, on the west bank of Garrison Creek. It was in use until 1880, then used again for military purposes in World War I and World War II. It is now a museum.

For up to date information on what's going on at Fort York, check out the @FYFoundation Twitter feed and the City of Toronto Arts & Culture Services Twitter feed @FortYork.

The fort is along (and under) the Gardiner Expressway, formerly 100 Garrison Road. To the west of Fort York is the CNE and Ontario Place, with Wellington Place to the east.



List of all areas in Toronto or take a look at the historic photos by date. New! You can now access the photos by street address A subset of the photos have also been arranged by subject.

1885 Historic photo from 1885 - Western gate of Fort York in Fort YorkWestern gate of Fort York
139 years ago - 1885 - Fort York
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1885 Historic photo from 1885 - Two storey building at Fort York in Fort YorkTwo storey building at Fort York
139 years ago - 1885 - Fort York at 250 Fort York Boulevard just west of Bathurst Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1885 Historic photo from Saturday, October 10, 1885 - Burdock Arch looking west to Fort York and Crystal Palace Oct. 1885 in Fort YorkBurdock Arch looking west to Fort York and Crystal Palace Oct. 1885
(Categorized under: Ornamental gate )
139 years ago - Saturday, October 10, 1885 - Fort York
Max temp: 16.7°C - Min temp: 2.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1890 Historic photo from 1890 - Fort York buildings in the 1890s in Fort YorkFort York buildings in the 1890s
134 years ago - 1890 - Fort York
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908 Historic photo from Friday, November 20, 1908 - Fort York with a smokestack in the background in Fort YorkFort York with a smokestack in the background
116 years ago - Friday, November 20, 1908 - Fort York at 250 Fort York Boulevard just west of Bathurst Street
Max temp: 7.8°C - Min temp: -1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1910 Historic photo from 1910 - Garden Party with tents and banners at Fort York in Fort YorkGarden Party with tents and banners at Fort York
114 years ago - 1910 - Fort York
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1916 Historic photo from Monday, June 5, 1916 - Old Fort Road wooden bridge site in Fort YorkOld Fort Road wooden bridge site
108 years ago - Monday, June 5, 1916 - Fort York
Max temp: 20.0°C - Min temp: 10.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1925 Historic photo from Wednesday, May 27, 1925 - Old Fort building in Fort YorkOld Fort building
99 years ago - Wednesday, May 27, 1925 - Fort York
Max temp: 18.9°C - Min temp: 4.4°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1926 Historic photo from Tuesday, January 12, 1926 - Viaduct, first steel being placed, Spadina Avenue Bridge in Fort YorkViaduct, first steel being placed, Spadina Avenue Bridge
98 years ago - Tuesday, January 12, 1926 - Fort York
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1927 Historic photo from Thursday, September 29, 1927 - Crosse & Blackwell Art Deco office built 1927, designed by Chapman and Oxley - Fleet Street at Bathurst Street in Fort YorkCrosse & Blackwell Art Deco office built 1927, designed by Chapman and Oxley - Fleet Street at Bathurst Street
97 years ago - Thursday, September 29, 1927 - Fort York at 545 Lakeshore Boulevard West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1931 Historic photo from Thursday, May 21, 1931 - Cannons in the mist at Old Fort York in Fort YorkCannons in the mist at Old Fort York
93 years ago - Thursday, May 21, 1931 - Fort York
Max temp: 18.3°C - Min temp: 7.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1933 Historic photo from Wednesday, October 25, 1933 - Interior of east blockhouse, Old Fort York in Fort YorkInterior of east blockhouse, Old Fort York
91 years ago - Wednesday, October 25, 1933 - Fort York
Max temp: 0.6°C - Min temp: -2.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1933 Historic photo from Saturday, November 4, 1933 - Fort York, Centre Block House in Fort YorkFort York, Centre Block House
91 years ago - Saturday, November 4, 1933 - Fort York
Max temp: 3.3°C - Min temp: -1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1933 Historic photo from Saturday, November 4, 1933 - Fort York, interior of Powder Magazine in Fort YorkFort York, interior of Powder Magazine
91 years ago - Saturday, November 4, 1933 - Fort York
Max temp: 3.3°C - Min temp: -1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1933 Historic photo from Saturday, November 4, 1933 - Fort York, North Barracks in Fort YorkFort York, North Barracks
91 years ago - Saturday, November 4, 1933 - Fort York
Max temp: 3.3°C - Min temp: -1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1933 Historic photo from Friday, December 1, 1933 - Northwest Barracks, old Fort York in Fort YorkNorthwest Barracks, old Fort York
91 years ago - Friday, December 1, 1933 - Fort York
Max temp: -1.7°C - Min temp: -6.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1933 Historic photo from Friday, December 22, 1933 - Fort York, interior of officers quarters during restoration in Fort YorkFort York, interior of officers quarters during restoration
91 years ago - Friday, December 22, 1933 - Fort York
Max temp: 1.7°C - Min temp: -3.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1934 Historic photo from 1934 - Fort York, looking south east past Tip Top Tailors and the Maple Leaf Baseball Stadium in Fort YorkFort York, looking south east past Tip Top Tailors and the Maple Leaf Baseball Stadium
90 years ago - 1934 - Fort York
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1934 Historic photo from Tuesday, January 16, 1934 - Fort York Restoration, Block House No. 2 in Fort YorkFort York Restoration, Block House No. 2
90 years ago - Tuesday, January 16, 1934 - Fort York
Max temp: -1.1°C - Min temp: -6.7°C - 0.5cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1934 Historic photo from Tuesday, January 16, 1934 - Fort York Restoration of Officers quarters in Fort YorkFort York Restoration of Officers quarters
90 years ago - Tuesday, January 16, 1934 - Fort York
Max temp: -1.1°C - Min temp: -6.7°C - 0.5cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1934 Historic photo from Tuesday, May 22, 1934 - Old Fort York, restored in Fort YorkOld Fort York, restored
90 years ago - Tuesday, May 22, 1934 - Fort York
Max temp: 21.1°C - Min temp: 10.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1934 Historic photo from Friday, June 8, 1934 - Maple Leaf Baseball Stadium and Loblaws Groceteria Building beyond Old fort restoration in Fort YorkMaple Leaf Baseball Stadium and Loblaws Groceteria Building beyond Old fort restoration
90 years ago - Friday, June 8, 1934 - Fort York
Max temp: 20.0°C - Min temp: 11.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1934 Historic photo from Wednesday, July 4, 1934 - Mace Ceremony, Fort York, with Tip Top building in distance in Fort YorkMace Ceremony, Fort York, with Tip Top building in distance
90 years ago - Wednesday, July 4, 1934 - Fort York
Max temp: 23.3°C - Min temp: 14.4°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1934 Historic photo from Thursday, November 22, 1934 - New Armouries on Fleet Street in Fort YorkNew Armouries on Fleet Street
90 years ago - Thursday, November 22, 1934 - Fort York
Max temp: 17.2°C - Min temp: 8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1953 Historic photo from Wednesday, August 26, 1953 - Stone entrance to Old Fort York in Fort YorkStone entrance to Old Fort York
71 years ago - Wednesday, August 26, 1953 - Fort York
Max temp: 32.8°C - Min temp: 18.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)