1874 Hart & Rawlinson City of Toronto with Fire Limits

‘Fire protection by-laws regulated the construction materials and methods that could be used in the central area of the city. By 1874 three levels of regulation, as shown here, were in use. Property owners could petition to have their street included in a stricter regulation zone in order to prevent the building of poor-quality houses. (Note the extensions to limit B, shown in yellow). Such streets were usually already the preserves of the affluent, so this practice produced a type of zoning based on status.

In contrast to the hundreds of building by-laws of today, the fire protection by-laws were the only restriction on building in Toronto during its first century.’

- Isobel Ganton & Joan Winearls, MAPPING TORONTO'S FIRST CENTURY 1787-1884

Also observe the notation regarding how street numbering worked.

See also: Goad’s Atlas of Toronto -- Online! [In particular, see Plate 2 of the 1889 Insurance Plan for a detailed listing of fire district building criteria.]

Click the image to view a full-size (2MB) version. 

City of Toronto Compiled from Surveys made to the present date 1874.
Published by Hart & Rawlinson, Toronto. Lithograped & Printed by Copp Clark & Co. Toronto. 1874. [H.J. & W.A. Browne, cartographers]
Coloured lithograph; 1 inch to 800 feet. Image courtesy Toronto Public Library: T1874/4Msm c2
Compare zones to: 1866 - LAC NMC 25145

It’s a fun exercise to scrutinize the above 1874 map and compare it to Hart & Rawlinson’s 1878 map of Toronto, which is clearly the same document, but with Yorkville & Seaton Village added to the north. The 1878 version contains several changes, as well as minor emendations. For example, note how the Agricultural Fairgrounds moves from just south of the Lunatic Asylum to the Exhibition Grounds east of Dufferin, south of the Great Western Railway line.

Click the image to view a full-size version (TPL hosted). 

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