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

St. Lawrence Hall 1850

Photos by Alan L Brown - April 2004

Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, sang to packed houses here in 1851. Ten years later, Tom Thumb attracted scores of fascinated spectators. It's quite a building at 155 King St East. Here's what the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board plaque has to say:

Erected in 1850 this structure provided a grand public hall in the St. Lawrence market-place, then the centre of Toronto, for concerts, balls, meetings and other civic events. Seating a thousand, it was proudly regarded as one of the city's finest buildings. Here Jenny Lind sang, the Anti-Slavery Society met, and George Brown addressed ardent Reform gatherings before Confederation. When the centre of the city shifted north and west in the 1870's, St. Lawrence Hall's great era ended.

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.650252 -79.372283

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Posted January 3, 2009
I think it's also important to note that long before the abolitionist movement, slaves were bought at sold at St. Lawrence market. This ought to be added to your page as well.

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