Toronto is a bustling metropolis, home to millions. It’s a city with a rich history, unique architecture, and remarkable streets. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Toronto’s main east-west thoroughfare. King Street was one of the first streets laid out in the 1793 town plan of York. In 1834, York was renamed Toronto. Read more about this on toronto-future.com.
How It All Began
The story of King Street began several centuries ago. In 1793, British Governor John Graves Simcoe founded the Town of York, which initially had just 12 streets. Originally, King Street was known as Duke Street. This name was linked to its proximity to Lake Ontario and its importance as a major route that transitioned into Kingston Road after crossing the Don River.
In 1803, a Market Square was built in the Town of York. The first farmers’ market began operating here, and the street became the primary commercial hub of York and early Toronto. It’s worth noting that King Street was a centre of trade and commerce. It housed numerous shops, hotels, and taverns. The street stretched from Yonge Street to Parliament Street and beyond.
As the Town of York grew, King Street became one of its central avenues. Interestingly, by the mid-19th century, it was described as one of the finest streets in North America. It was even compared to Regent Street in London. King Street developed, and Toronto grew along with it. In 1834, Toronto achieved city status. And King Street continued to be its main commercial street. However, new shopping centres and stores began to appear in Toronto. As a result, King Street’s prominence began to wane somewhat.
In 1849, the Great Fire of Toronto destroyed a significant portion of the buildings and structures on King Street. Fortunately, everything was eventually rebuilt. Incidentally, the original street ran from George Street to Berkeley Street and was extended in 1901.
The City’s Main Commercial Street: The Modern Era
Many years have passed since King Street’s inception, yet it still remains an important cultural and historical heart of Toronto. Notably, the street is home to numerous theatres, forming what is known as the “Theatre District” on King Street West. The street features such renowned theatres as the Princess of Wales Theatre and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The latter is the oldest continuously operating theatre in North America, having opened in 1907.
Furthermore, this area of Toronto is known for its designer boutiques and restaurants. That’s why this part of the metropolis is beloved by tourists and Torontonians alike. There are also historic buildings on the street, such as the OMNI King Edward Hotel, which opened in 1903 and was designed by the renowned architect E.J. Lennox.
Additionally, King Street is close to major attractions like the Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome), Scotiabank Arena (formerly Air Canada Centre), the Distillery District, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Roy Thomson Hall, Meridian Hall (formerly Sony Centre for the Performing Arts), and St. Lawrence Market, among others.
King Street is a central street in Toronto. It’s a venue for many cultural events and festivals. Undoubtedly, this street is a symbol of Toronto’s history and development, as it was built when our city was still called York.
So, there you have it – an insightful look at King Street. We hope you found it interesting and learned more about your city and the development of its central King Street.
What’s your favourite spot on King Street? We look forward to your comments on social media. Your opinion matters to us!