2022 – Looking northeast towards the former Garibaldi House at the corner of King St E and Berkeley St, in the St Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto. Today it’s home to Neglia Design, a graphic design agency
The former Garibaldi House is located at 302 King St E (at Berkeley St on the northeast corner) in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto.
The Garibaldi House – Built in 1859
Built in 1859 with a roughcast exterior, the tavern was operated by J Matthews. It’s situated on the bend of King St E. For travellers heading east, that jog in the road meant it was the last street leading out of Toronto. Before their journey, a traveller could stop there and rest. Several inns and taverns were in the area to ease the difficult horse ride across the province to Ottawa and beyond. For those travelling west, that bend in the road also meant they’d reached the gateway into Toronto. The tavern was named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian General. At some point, the building became home to the druggist, R. Oliver.
302 King St received heritage status in 1973. Today Neglia Design, a graphic design agency, occupies the historic property.
55-77 Berkeley Street Workmen’s Cottages
1971 – Looking towards the former Garibaldi House and the Berkeley Street Row Houses from King St E and Berkeley St in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 65, Item 138)
From 55 to 79 Berkeley St on the east side, between King and Adelaide Sts E, there is a row of 13 grey-stucco houses. These simple workmen’s cottages were constructed for John Irwin in 1871/72. They reflect the working-class character of the neighbourhood in the late 19th century. Their early occupants would have included labourers, distillers and machinists.
In 1969, architect Joan Burt renovated and restored the row houses. Ms Burt was the 21st woman to graduate from the University of Toronto’s architecture program (1956). She fought to save the city’s historic structures and other heritage properties. The row of houses received heritage status in 2011.
Across from them at the southwest corner of Berkeley St and Adelaide St E is the Alumnae Theatre Company, originally the Berkeley Street Fire Hall No. 4.
Did You Know?
Berkeley St was originally called Parliament St. In the late 1700s, it was home to the town of York’s first Parliament buildings (just south of where Front and Berkeley Sts cross today). Major John Small had a home at the southwest corner of King and Berkeley Sts. He named it the Berkeley House after the town he came from in England. It was demolished in 1925.
Garibaldi House & 55-79 Berkeley St Photos
1972 – Looking northeast towards the former Garibaldi House located at 302 King St E and Berkeley St in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 21, Item 19)2020 – Looking northeast towards the former Garibaldi House located at 302 King St E and Berkeley St in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto. Today it’s home to Neglia Design, a graphic design agency1981 – Looking east towards the former Garibaldi House located at 302 King St E and Berkeley St in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 73, Item 71) 1981 – The renovations at the former Garibaldi House located at 302 King St E and Berkeley St in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 66, Item 4) 1981 – Looking northwest towards the renovations at the former Garibaldi House located at 302 King St E and Berkeley St (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 66, Item 6) 1979 – Looking east towards the former Garibaldi House located at 302 King St E and Berkeley St in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto. Built in 1859 with a roughcast exterior, the tavern was operated by J Matthews. It’s situated on the bend of King St E. For travellers heading east, that jog in the road meant it was the last street leading out of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 65, Item 136)1975 – Looking northeast towards the former Garibaldi House located at 302 King St E and the Berkeley St historic row houses located between King St E and Adelaide St E in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 124, File 3, ID 40) 2021 – Looking northeast toward the former Garibaldi House at the corner of King St E and Berkeley St2022 – Looking northeast towards the former Garibaldi House at the corner of King St E and Berkeley St. Today, it’s home to Neglia Design, a graphic design agencyBetween 1972 and 1985 – The former Garibaldi House located at 302 King St E and Berkeley St in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2043, Series 2523, File 143, Item 21)2020 – The Berkeley St row houses are located between King St E and Adelaide St E. The historic homes are just north of the former Garibaldi House, which is at the northeast corner at King St E and Berkeley St1972 – Looking southeast towards the Berkeley St row houses located between King St E and Adelaide St E in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto. These simple 13 grey-stucco houses were constructed for John Irwin in 1871/72 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 21, Item 24)Between 1972 and 1985 – Looking northeast towards the Berkeley St row houses located between King St E and Adelaide St E in the Old Town neighbourhood. In 1969, architect Joan Burt renovated and restored the row houses. Ms Burt was the 21st woman to graduate from the University of Toronto’s architecture program (1956). She fought to save the historic structures and other heritage properties throughout the City. The row of houses received heritage status in 2011 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2043, Series 2523, File 143, Item 14)Between 1972 and 1985 – Looking southeast towards the Berkeley St row houses located between Adelaide St E and King St E in the Old Town neighbourhood. Did you know that Berkeley St was originally called Parliament St. In the late 1700s; it was home to the town of York’s first Parliament buildings just south of where Front St E and Berkeley St cross today (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2043, Series 2523, File 143, Item 22)1971 – Looking towards the former Garibaldi House and the Berkeley Street Row Houses from King St E and Berkeley St in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 65, Item 138)May 18, 1937 – Looking north from the rear of 55-79 Berkeley St Row Houses towards Adelaide St E in the Old Town neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 33, Item 213)2022 – The heritage plaque reads:
55-79 Berkeley Street 1871, altered 1969
“Constructed for John Irwin, this row of houses reflects the working-class character of this area in the late-19th century. Early tenants included labourers, machinists, and a distiller.”
City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties – Heritage Toronto 20112021 – The heritage plaque at the former Garibaldi House 302 King St E reads:
Tavern and Druggist Shop 1859 J. McKormack and R. Oliver, proprietors
City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties – Heritage Toronto 1880 – Goads Map showing the location of the former Garibaldi House and the Berkeley Street Row Houses from King St E and Adelaide St E (Toronto Public Library)
