Toronto's Historical Plaques
Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.
St. Hilda's College
This former college building is located in the north-west corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park just east of Crawford Street. Three plaques are attached to the building on the east side of the entrance. Here's what the 1988 Toronto Historical Board plaque says:
St. Hilda's was founded in 1888 as a women's college affiliated with the University of Trinity College. Opportunities at that time for a higher education for women in Canada were few. Located first on Euclid Avenue and then Shaw Street, St. Hilda's moved in 1899 to this building designed by Eden Smith on the Trinity campus. Initially St. Hilda's students took separate pass lectures, but in 1894 all Trinity classes were opened to women. St. Hilda's nevertheless continued to maintain its own distinct traditions and activities. The University of Trinity College federated with the University of Toronto in 1904, and in 1925 Trinity and St. Hilda's moved to the Queen's Park campus. This building then became a residence for the elderly known as Strachan House. Since 1983 it has served as the Church of the Good Samaritan, a home for men.
Location Co-ordinates: 43.648401 -79.415585
Photo by Alan L Brown - August 2007
Here's what the second plaque, called "The Church of the Good Samaritan", says:
A home for men founded in 1926 by the Rev. John Elias Rogers Gibson and originally known as the Church of the Ascension. In 1958 it was given by him to the Anglican Diocese of Toronto and in 1960 dedicated and renamed the Church of the Good Samaritan.
Photo by Alan L Brown - August 2007
A third plaque called "John Gibson House" has this to say:
Originally founded as St. Hilda's College, this building later became a retirement residence known as Strachan House. Since 1983, it has been a home for men. Formerly known as Church of the Good Samaritan, in 1993 it was renamed John Gibson House in honour of its founder, The Rev. John Elias Gibson.
Photo by Alan L Brown - August 2007
Related page:
Trinity College
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