In 1793, it was decided to move the capital of Upper Canada from Niagara to York (now Toronto). Two single-storey brick parliament buildings were constructed near this site. Opened in June 1798, the buildings were used for court proceedings and religious services in addition to parliamentary sessions. During their occupation of York, April 27 to May 2, 1813, American troops set fire to the parliament buildings. By 1820, they had been repaired and a connecting centre block added. Four years later, fire from an overheated chimney flue reduced them to ruins. The site was abandoned and, in 1832, new parliament buildings were completed on Front Street, west of Simcoe Street.

Location

At the entrance to the city park on the east side of Berkeley Street just south of The Esplanade, south of Front Street East, Toronto

Themes

• Buildings and structures
• Politics and law
• War and conflict