Toronto's Historical Plaques
Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.
Edward Hanlan
In front of this steam tug at the west end of Stanley Barracks at Exhibition Place, you can see two plaques. The one on the left, an Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque, says this:
Ned Hanlan was born in Toronto. In an era when rowing was a highly popular spectator sport in the English-speaking world, he was the sport's greatest exponent. He became Canadian champion in 1877 and shortly thereafter American and English champion. He won the world title in 1880, retaining it until 1884. When Hanlan retired from sculling in 1897, after approximately 350 matches, he had been defeated only some six times. Popularly known as "The Boy in Blue", he was one of Canada's first national sporting heroes and was the focus of public adulation in his home city until his death.
Location Co-ordinates: 43.632651 -79.413611
Photo by Alan L Brown - September 2007
The plaque on the right tells us about the tug. Here's what it says:
Steam Tug "Ned Hanlan". Donated by the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. The preservation of this vessel was made possible by the generosity of David Macdonald Stewart, President Macdonald Tobacco Inc. Restored by the Toronto Historical Board, 1972.
Photo by Alan L Brown - September 2007
Related page
"Ned" Hanlan 1855-1908
Here are the comments for this page.
Posted November 10, 2008
I grew up on Alvin Ave at Yonge & St. Clair and went to Deer Park PS. Just near the school off Heath st east on the edge of the ravine there were two big houses and the story was that Ned Hanlan had lived there. I am sure that the two houses are gone now and replaced by something else but do you have any information on whether this was his or his decendants house and is there a plaque there?
Write a comment for this page.
(Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.)
Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).