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Thursday, 24 April 2008 |
Stanley BarracksIf, one day, you find yourself wandering around Exhibition Place, you might come across this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque. It's in the east end, west of the Automotive Building near Lake Shore Boulevard West. Here's what the plaque says:
The British army established a military post here in 1840-41 to replace aging Fort York. Known as the New Fort, it consisted of seven limestone buildings around a parade square, and a number of lesser structures. Massive defensive works were planned for the perimeter but never built. In 1893 the fort was renamed Stanley Barracks in honour of Governor General Lord Stanley. Canadian forces assumed responsibility for the post in 1870 and garrisoned it until 1947. The barracks then served as public housing until the early 1950s, when all but this building, the Officers' Quarters, were demolished.
Established in 1840 and located in Toronto, Ontario, New Fort York was renamed the Stanley Barracks in 1893 after the Governor General of Canada at that time, Lord Stanley of Preston (of hockey's Stanley Cup fame). The Stanley Barracks were mostly demolished in 1953. The gates to the barracks were salvaged, however, and were re-erected in Toronto on Kingston Rd. at Guildwood Parkway, at the entrance to Guildwood Village, where they may still be viewed. The Officers' Mess building can still be found on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition.
The building served as the home for Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, Hockey Hall of Fame and the Marine Museum.
Historical background:
Alexander Muir (1830 - 1906) Schoolmaster, poet and the author of 'The Maple Leaf Forever,' lived here from 1891 - 1901. He was inspired to write the song in 1867 following a walk in Leslie Gardens, during which a maple leaf is said to have fallen and clung to his sleeve. Muir was born in Lesmahagow, Scotland, and came to Upper Canada with his parents at an early age. He was educated in his father's school in Scarborough, and at Queen's University. After teaching in various centres, he became the principal of Gladstone Avenue Public School in 1888.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 April 2008 )
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