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

Fort Rouillé

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 2004

Photo Source - Canadian Heritage Gallery

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 2004

This monument stands in the west end of Exhibition Place, just to the west of the bandshell. The area aound it marks where the walls of the old French fort stood. Two plaques, one provincial, one city, give us details. The Ontario Heritage Trust plaque, attached to the monument, says:

The last French post built in present-day Southern Ontario, Fort Rouillé, more commonly known as Fort Toronto, was erected on this site in 1750-51. It was established by order of the Marquis de la Jonquière, Governor of New France, to help strengthen French control of the Great Lakes and was located here near an important portage to capture the trade of Indians travelling southeast toward the British fur-trading centre at Oswego. A small frontier post, Fort Rouillé was a palisaded fortification with four bastions and five main buildings. It apparently prospered until hostilities between the French and British increased in the mid-1750s. Following the capitulation of other French posts on Lake Ontario, Fort Rouillé was destroyed by its garrison in July 1759.

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 2004

The 1986 Toronto Sesquicentennial Board plaque, just north of the monument, has this to say:

The concrete walkways in this area delineate the walls of Fort Rouillé, a French trading post located on this site from 1750 to 1759. The reconstructed ground plan of Fort Rouillé is based on archaeological excavations conducted in 1979 and 1980 by the Toronto Historical Board, and on an excavation conducted in 1982 by the Youth Committee, Toronto Sesquicentennial Board. Over fifty young people, directed by professional archaeologists, participated in this excavation.

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: N 43 37.837 W 79 25.414

More Conflict pages

Here are the comments for this page.

Posted August 24, 2008
This is a very important piece of history for all Canadians to learn. It is amazing that the site has been kept and preserved for over 200 years! The addition of Scadding Cabin adds to the historical significance of the fort.
David B. Purvis

Here's where you can 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).