Because of its large and easily defended harbour Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe decided to make Toronto the naval and military centre of Upper Canada. This site, guarding the harbour, was named Gibraltar Point. Fortification was begun here in 1794 and by 1800 two defensible storehouses and a guard house had been erected. These buildings were destroyed by the Americans during the second raid on York (Toronto) in 1813. By the following May a small blockhouse mounting one gun had been constructed. This building, in ruins by 1823, was dismantled some time before 1833 and not replaced. This area later became known as Hanlans Point after the family of the world-champion sculler "Ned" Hanlon who settled near here.

Location

Near the ferry dock, Hanlans Point, Toronto Islands, Toronto

Themes

• Environment
• War and conflict