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		Western 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		Two 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		Burdock 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		Fort York buildings in the 1890s 134 years ago - 1890 - Fort York Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1899		Western entrance to Fort York just beyond gates, looking east 125 years ago - 1899 - Fort York at 250 Fort York Blvd Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908		Fort 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		Garden 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		Old 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)
1918		Queen's Wharf Lighthouse in original location, by the water, now on Fleet St 106 years ago - Monday, December 16, 1918 - Fort York at 651 Fleet Street Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1925		Old 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)
1925		Queen's Wharf Lighthouse - aka Old Red and residence once on the edge of the Toronto Island Western gap 99 years ago - Saturday, September 26, 1925 - Fort York at 651 Fleet Street in the middle of the streetcar loop Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1926		Viaduct, 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		Crosse & 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		Cannons 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		Interior 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		Fort 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		Fort 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		Fort 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		Northwest 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		Fort 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		Fort 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		Fort 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		Fort 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		Old 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		Maple 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		Mace 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		New 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		Stone 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)