List of oldest buildings and structures in Toronto


This is a list of oldest buildings and structures in Toronto, that were constructed before 1920. The history of Toronto dates back to indigenous settlements in the region approximately 12,000 years ago. However, the oldest standing structures in Toronto were built by European settlers. Remains of a Seneca settlement may be found at the Bead Hill archaeological site, in eastern Toronto.
The first European structure built in Toronto was Magasin Royal, a French trading post established in 1720. In the 1750s, the French built several structures in the area, although the French would later destroy them in 1759, following their defeat at the Battle of Fort Niagara. In 1793, the government of Upper Canada arranged for the purchase of Toronto from the Mississaugas; in order to settle newly landed loyalist. Many of Toronto's oldest structures dates back to this early British settlement, known as York. The town of York was formally incorporated as the City of Toronto in 1834, with the passage of the Incorporation of the City of Toronto Act.

Surviving structures

The oldest intact structure of European settlement may be a piece of St Paul's Cathedral's courtyard railing dating from 1714, designed by Christopher Wren, that is now part of John Howard's tomb in High Park. Howard had it shipped from London in 1875.
The following list does not include structures where only the facade of the building has been preserved.

1794 to 1819

The surviving structures were often moved from the original site years after; they are mostly residential or military structures.
BuildingImageYear completedBuilderStyleAddressNeighbourhoodDistrictRef.
Scadding Cabin1794John ScaddingLog cabinExhibition PlaceOld Toronto
Lavinia Cottagec. 1800–181923 Jason RoadThistletownEtobicoke
John Cox Cottage1807Log cabin 469 Broadview AvenueRiverdaleOld Toronto
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse1809British marine architectureToronto IslandsOld Toronto
Fort York Blockhouse #11813Royal Engineers19th century blockhouse100 Garrison Road Fort YorkOld Toronto
Fort York Blockhouse #21813Royal Engineers19th century blockhouse100 Garrison Road Fort YorkOld Toronto
Fort York Brick Officers Barracks and Mess Room1815Royal Engineers19th century military architecture100 Garrison Road Fort YorkOld Toronto
Fort York Brick Magazine1815Royal Engineers19th century military architecture100 Garrison Road Fort YorkOld Toronto
Fort York Stone Powder Magazine1815Royal Engineers19th century military architecture100 Garrison Road Fort YorkOld Toronto
Fort York Brick Barracks1815Royal Engineers19th century military architecture100 Garrison Road Fort YorkOld Toronto
Daniel Stong Loghouse1816Daniel and Elizabeth Strong1000 Murray Ross Parkway York University HeightsNorth York
The Grange1817D'Arcy BoultonGeorgian317 Dundas Street WestGrange ParkOld Toronto
Gray Grist Mill1819William and James GrayEarly-19th century farm architecture12 Bushbury DriveDon MillsNorth York

1820 to 1839

1840 to 1849

1850 to 1859

1860 to 1869

1870 to 1879

1880 to 1889

1890 to 1899

1900 to 1909

1910 to 1919