Court House Square Historical Plaque

Toronto's Historical Plaques

Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Court House Square

The plaque, apparently located here in Court House Square behind the original York County Courthouse at 57 Adelaide Street East, appears to be missing. According to Heritage Toronto, it's a Toronto Historical Board plaque and the text of the plaque says:

Between 1826 and 1838, Court House Square was used for a variety of religious and political gatherings. David Willson and his Children Of Peace (builders of Sharon Temple in Newmarket) held assemblies here. Supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie rallied here after his ejections from the Legislative Assembly in 1832. With its proximity to the Home District Court House and the jail, the square was used for public floggings and for punishment in the stocks - their last recorded use: Ellen Halfpenny, for drunken and disorderly conduct in 1834. The first hanging here was on 23 October 1828: Charles French for the midnight shooting of Edward Knowlan. The most famous hangings, and the last performed here, were on 12 April 1 1838: Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews, for their participation in the 1837 Rebellion.

Location Co-ordinates: 43.650663 -79.375577

Related page from my "Ontario's Provincial Plaques" website
Sharon Temple

More 'Parks and Recreation' pages

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