Tuesday Treasures

 Tom the backroads traveller hosts this weekly meme.

May 2023 - Toronto ON

Front and Jarvis looking west in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood. The 6th St. Lawrence Market North is nearing completion.

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The north building of the St. Lawrence Market was situated on the original site of York’s (Toronto’s) first farmers’ market square. At first, the market square was simply an open field with a water pump, where local farmers sold their produce and livestock. Early, each Saturday morning, farmers arrived from neighbouring townships, having departed their farms long before daybreak, travelling by horse and cart along the muddy roads that led to the town of York. About the year 1815, at the north end of the square, adjacent to King Street, they erected a small wooden shelter, measuring 35’ by 40’. In 1820, the sides of the structure were enclosed to form a brick building. However, in 1831, an impressive quadrangular market complex was constructed, stretching from King Street on the north to Front Street on the south.

2021

2011

St. Lawrence Market North - cupola of St. Lawrence Hall in the background.

1972 - The archive photo shows the former fifth St Lawrence Market North (1968-2016), the cupola of St Lawrence Hall in the background on the right and the Cathedral Church of St James on the left.

Painting depicting the north market of the St. Lawrence Market building, in 1898. This is the structure that was erected in 1851. The view is from the southeast corner of Front and Jarvis Streets, the cupola on the St. Lawrence Hall and the spire of St. James Cathedral visible in the background. Toronto Public Library, r- 5181.