A plan of Toronto Harbour in 1828. The town is still a compact grid at this point; in a few years a building boom will explode the boundaries considerably.
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Plan of Toronto Harbour, Lake Ontario surveyed under the direction of Captn W.F.W. Owen, R.N. by Lieut (now Commander) H.W. Bayfield, R.N. drawn by Geo. D. Cranfield, Lieut 90th Lt. Infy. 1828.
Image courtesy Toronto Public Library: T1828/4Msm
This map appeared as an accompaniment to the 1889 Polk Toronto City Directory. Look at that beautiful Remington typewriter...
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New map of the city of Toronto published for the Toronto City Directory, 1889, published by R. L. Polk & Co., Toronto.
Image courtesy of Toronto Public Library
The next map was printed in 1891 for The Toronto Mail, a newspaper originally founded by Sir John A. Macdonald, which later became The Mail and Empire, and then The Globe and Mail. The green area denotes the Toronto limits.
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Alexander & Cable’s Map of the City of Toronto & Suburbs, 1891
Compiled and Drawn by Alexander & Cable. Published for 'The Mail'
Image courtesy of Toronto Public Library
This map showed the city ward divisions in 1895. It was a foldable portable map intended to be carried in one’s vest pocket. Each of the red squares was half a mile.
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Foster’s vest pocket map of Toronto, 1895
Published by J.G. Foster & Co.
Image courtesy of Toronto Public Library
The following map shows the extent of the main and feeder railway lines that reached out from Toronto by 1898. These lines established Toronto as the hub for the surrounding countryside. The first railway, the Ontario, Simcoe & Huron, started in 1853 and ran north from Toronto through Bradford and passed west of Cook's Bay on Lake Simcoe.
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Cyclists' Road Map for the County of York Including Portions of Ontario, Peel and Simcoe, 1898
Printed map. 59.1 x 47.0 cm. Published by J.G. Foster & Co.
Image courtesy of Toronto Public Library
Other Maps, Not on this Site (To be done?)
1873 Copp, Clark & Co.: City of Toronto compiled from surveys made to the present date, 18731878 Hart & Rawlinson's Map of the City of Toronto, with Suburbs of Yorkville, Parkdale, Seaton Village, Brockton, and Ben-Lamond. Another copy.
1884 Polk: City of Toronto, published expressly for the Toronto City Directory by R. L. Polk & Company. Room "S" Victoria Chambers
1885 Alexander, Clare & Cable: County of York
1887 Star Engraving Co. map of Toronto
1888 Bryce's new index map of Toronto
1891 Penson: Plan of the City of Toronto and suburbs shewing new & old ward divisions
1892 Might: Correct map of the City of Toronto published for the Toronto City Directory
1892 City Engineer's Office: Plan of the city of Toronto
1895 Galt/Might: Map of the city of Toronto published by Might Directory Co. prepared in the office of John Galt, C. E. and M. E.
1899 Foster's map of Toronto
1903 Pilkey: Plan of the City of Toronto
1905 Evening Telegram: Plan of the City of Toronto showing proposed diagonal streets
1907 Rust: Plan of the City of Toronto — showing road surfacing (See also: U of T copy: 1908 version)
1908 Toronto Guild of Civic Art: Plan of Improvements to the City of Toronto
1916 The Map Co.: Map of Greater Toronto and Suburbs - a really nice street map. Lots of street changes to hunt down and pore over here.
External Resources
I’ve put together a couple of lists of online resources for researchers, for those who want to investigate further into the history of our fair city. Happy hunting!
Resources for Budding Cartographers & Closet HistoriansToronto History Links and Resources
Please ‘Like’ and Share these maps with other Toronto history enthusiasts! (+1s are also welcome!)