While we eagerly await the construction of the new 100 million dollar North Building at St. Lawrence Market, slated for 2021, Toronto Guardian takes a look back at the nearly two hundred years of markets on the historical site.
The storied location at Front Street has survived two major fires, a roof collapse of the Eastern Hall, and waves of urban redevelopment as it evolved from an open fish market on the old wharf, to the luxurious Saint Lawrence Hall, and the drab, brick building erected in the 1960s. Throughout the centuries, St. Lawrence Market has hosted political campaigns, boxing matches, and even the late Anthony Bourdain, after it was recognized in 2012 by National Geographic as the best of the world’s Top 10 Food Markets.
1838 – original fish market on Toronto wharf1848 – original building, destroyed in The Great Fire of 19041877 – north market fountain unveiling1885 – St Lawrence Hall1898 – herding bulls to market1898 – Horse Carriages on Front Street1898 – interior1898 – North Market Front Street East1898 – Owen Staples, pen and ink1898 – unknown artist1898 – Unknown artist, painting from photograph1898 – unknown, herding bulls to market1898 – unknown, interior from photo1898 – West Side, looking north1907 – west market street, looking north1912 – St Lawrence Hall, Frederic Victor pool1921 – Detail of the old market tower1943 – Nicholas Hornyansky, looking north up market street1950s – Across the streetcar tracks1952 – south market, before modern renovations1953 – south market, in snow1954 – quiet morning1956 – old weigh house1961 – Farmers Market1966 – St. Lawrence Market (source, Unsplash, smitty)1969 – new north building after constructionafter east wing collapse, market in parking lotold Marachino cherry factory on front street which now houses the Canadian Opera CompanySt Lawrence Hall, undated
