The Canadian National Exhibition and Exhibition Place in Toronto boast a vibrant history spanning over 140 years. Throughout this time, some earlier buildings and structures, such as the magnificent Crystal Palace and the expansive Manufacturers’ Building, were lost due to fires, while others were replaced due to deterioration, or the need for larger facilities.
Below are several of the buildings and structures that once stood on Exhibition grounds, including their years of existence, their purpose, the architect responsible for their design, and the circumstances under which they were lost.
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Crystal Palace (1878-1906)
The history of the Crystal Palace dates back to 1858 when the thirteenth Provincial Agricultural Exhibition was held in Toronto. Sir Collingwood Schreiber and Sir Sandford designed a grand structure made of iron, glass, and wood for the fair, which stood north of King St W, west of Shaw St.
In 1878, the new larger exhibition site was chosen by the shores of Lake Ontario to permanently house the event – today’s Exhibition Place. So the original Crystal Palace was dismantled and relocated to the site. The building was expanded with reconstruction designs by architects Stewart and Strickland and featured a main floor and two tiers of galleries crowned by a Baroque-styled cupola. The Crystal Palace was the primary exhibit building and the pride of Toronto’s Industrial Exhibition.
The beautiful building burned to the ground on Thanksgiving in 1906, and a year later, the Horticulture Building was built on the site (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1548, Series 393, Item 17926-1)
Hockey/Sports Hall of Fame (1961-2006)
The Hockey Hall of Fame opened in 1961 with thousands in attendance, including Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and many hockey greats. The architectural firm Allward & Gouinlock designed the Moderne-style structure. In 1967, a wing was added to the building’s east side to further expand all other sports. In 1993, the Hockey Hall of Fame moved to its present-day location at the northwest corner of Yonge St and Front St W.
In 2006, the Halls of Fame building at Exhibition Place was torn down to make way for the soccer stadium; however, pieces of it have been preserved and are located at Gate 5 of BMO Field (Courtesy of the Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)
Shell Oil Tower (1955-1985)
This 12-storey tower, built in 1955 for Shell Oil Company in its signature yellow and red colours, featured two large analog clocks at the top. Architect George Robb designed the tower, which included two 139-step stairwells and a 25-passenger elevator leading to an observation platform. In 1965, the analog clocks were replaced with digital ones, and in 1973, Bulova took over sponsorship of the tower.
Unfortunately, due to deterioration, the landmark was dismantled in 1985 (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 150, Item 13)
The Flyer (1953-1992)
The ride made its grand debut at the 1953 CNE. Designed by the renowned American roller coaster king Joe McKee for Conklin Shows, the Flyer held the title of the highest and fastest roller coaster in the world at the time. With its towering peak reaching 19 meters (62 feet) and speeds of up to 104 km/h (65 miles per hour), the 1-minute and 40-second ride was a thrilling experience that left riders feeling exhilarated, traumatized or with happy nausea. After 39 years of thrilling over 9 million riders, the Flyer was dismantled in 1992.
In a nod to its history, a restored FLYER roller coaster sign was on display at the 2023 Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand (1948-1999)
The venue was completed in time for the 1948 CNE. With initial seating for 23,500, the stadium was a groundbreaking postwar Modernist structure at Exhibition Place, designed by architects Marani & Morris. This iconic venue hosted legendary performances from The Jackson 5 to Rush and was also home to the Toronto Argonauts, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Toronto Blizzard. Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand were demolished in 1999 to make way for BMO Field, which opened in 2007.
Today, at the west side of Parking Lot 2, just south of BMO Field, four engraved stone plaques commemorate the exact position of the stadium’s former baseball diamond, including its three bases and home plate (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 363, Item 12)
CNE Flagpole (1930-2008)
It was donated by the Timberland Lumber Co Ltd of New Westminster, British Columbia. Due to its immense size, the pole couldn’t be transported by railway, so it embarked on an incredible 13,679 km or 8,500-mile journey from BC by ship, which included passing through the Panama Canal and arriving in Toronto in the summer of 1929. After the pole dried for one year, the flag-raising ceremony was held in August 1930.
Unfortunately, due to deterioration, the flagpole was taken down in 1976. Although it was replaced the next year, decay led to its removal once again in 2008. Following this, only the flagpole’s cement base and the plaques commemorating its significance remained on the site until August 2024, when they were also removed. The plaques are in storage at the Exhibition Place Archives (Courtesy of the Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)
Engineering & Electrical Building (1928-1972)
Constructed from poured concrete, the building was designed by architects Chapman & Oxley to showcase modern electrical technology. The front of the building featured a colonnade adorned with eight statues created by artist Charles McKechnie. It later served other roles during the annual fair, including for general exhibits.
Despite its demolition in 1972, the legacy of the building lives on, as four of McKechnie’s statues are showcased in Heritage Court at the Enercare Centre (CNE Archives)
Dufferin Gate (1912-1958)
This impressive gate was built in 1912 and designed by architect George W Gouinlock. Created to stir anticipation, the festive-looking entryway cost $50,000 to construct and was originally called the Dufferin Memorial Gate. It was demolished in November 1958 to make way for the Gardiner Expressway.
Today’s Dufferin Gate was completed for the opening of the 1959 CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 536, Item 80, Desmond E. Wainwright – photographer)
Women’s Building (1912-1961)
Built between 1911 and 1912, architect George W Gouinlock designed the structure. The Women’s Building featured a balcony that served as the setting for daily tea gatherings. It was here that the Directors’ wives took on the role of hostesses, welcoming representatives from women’s organizations spanning the country. Throughout the annual fair, the Women’s Building came alive with women’s programs and events. From concerts and lectures to fashion shows and craft and food judging contests, the building was a hub of creativity and cultural celebration.
The Women’s Building was attached to the Manufacturers Building, and in 1961, they were both destroyed by fire (CNE Archives)
Pure Food Building (1922-1953)
The Pure Food Building, designed by architects Chapman & Oxley in collaboration with Roy Bishop, featured an impressive central entrance. Constructed for the 1922 CNE at a cost of $150,000, the Pure Food Building was quickly considered to be too small. Following the 1953 CNE, the structure was demolished, and the present-day Food Building took its place in 1954 (Toronto Public Library R-TSPA_0112033F)
Gooderham Fountain (1911-1958)
In 1911, George Horace Gooderham, President of the CNE and an Ontario MPP, generously donated a stunning fountain to the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. The fountain, crafted from Carrara marble, stood at an impressive 4.6 m (15 ft) tall and paid homage to George’s grandfather, William Gooderham, and his great uncle, James Worts, who established the renowned Gooderham & Worts distillery in 1837. This magnificent structure was a replica of the Fountains of St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Italy.
In 1958, although there were plans to relocate and restore the Gooderham Fountain at an estimated cost of $70,000, it was taken down. Later that same year, the Princess Margaret Fountain was installed in its place at the intersection of Princes’ Blvd and Manitoba Dr (CNE Archives)
Press Bureau (1906-1950s)
The Press Bureau was built in 1906 and designed by architect George W Gouinlock. The building featured a two-storey centre block flanked by one-storey wings. According to historical CNE maps, the Press Bureau building no longer existed in the mid-1950s (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1548, Series 393, Item 19616, John Boyd Sr – photographer)
Dairy Building, later the Music Building (1903-1950s)
Constructed in 1903 for the CNE, the building was designed by George W Gouinlock to exhibit various dairy products such as ice cream, milk, and cheeses. It also housed a theatre for hosting lectures and demonstrations. In the mid-1920s, the building was repurposed as the Music Building and its amphitheatre hosted concerts, including performances by winners of different fair contests.
As its final role before being demolished in the mid-1950s to make room for the Queen Elizabeth Building, it was used to display General Exhibits (Courtesy of the Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)
Dog Building (circa 1903-1940)
The wooden building at the CNE was a lively place, filled with dogs of all shapes and sizes, from tiny toy breeds to towering Great Danes. Fairgoers could easily locate the building by following the sound of barking. At the 1913 CNE, almost 700 dogs were on display at the annual fair.
Although the architect and the exact date of the building’s construction could not be determined, historical maps of the CNE and the city indicate that the structure first appeared on a 1903 map and had disappeared by the 1940 version. In its latter years, it was also known as the Dog & Cat Building (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1443, James Victor Salmon – photographer)
Graphic Art & Photography Building (1902-1955)
In 1902, the Canadian National Exhibition built its inaugural fine art exhibition building. Architect Jarvis Beaumont designed this first building in the classical Greek style. Its art exhibitions quickly became very popular, which led to the construction of a larger Art Gallery in 1905. The original art gallery was repurposed as the Graphic Arts & Photography Building, showcasing international photographic exhibits. Meanwhile, the new Art Gallery (once located on the west side of Manitoba Dr) displayed paintings and sculptures from around the world.
The Graphic Arts & Photography Building was demolished in 1955 to make way for the Queen Elizabeth Building (City of Toronto Archives, William James family fonds, Fonds 1244, Item 2026)
Machinery Hall (1914-1959)
In 1914, architect George W Gouinlock designed the spacious wooden building to showcase massive steam engines. Just a few years later, the building evolved to display machines and motors. Purposely situated next to the railway tracks, machinery for exhibits was efficiently transported from railway cars onto a platform and then directly into the hall.
During the early 1930s, the hall was renamed the Stove Building and featured the latest domestic technology. However, as the CNE reopened post-World War II, the hall transitioned to storage rather than exhibits.
In the late 1950s, Machinery Hall, along with the second Dufferin Gate, was demolished for the construction of the Gardiner Expressway (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1462, James Victor Salmon – photographer)
Live Stock Building (circa 1913–1931)
Built around 1913, the grand structure was designed by architect George W Gouinlock to exhibit various livestock during the CNE and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The building was demolished to make way for the elegant Horse Palace, which was completed for the 1931 Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)
Transportation Building (1909-1974)
The Transportation Building, constructed in 1909 at the cost of $95,000, was designed by architect George W Gouinlock. It featured a facade of red pressed brick with Roman stone trimmings and was topped by a steel truss roof. True to its name, the building housed exhibitions of “automobiles, carriages, and launches, as well as other types of conveyances.” Over the years, the building underwent various transitions, functioning as the International Pavilion and later as the Business Equipment Building.
A fire in 1974 led to the loss of this historic building. Today, the site of the former Transportation Building has been replaced by a parking lot. The glass dome in the background on the right of the photo belongs to the building that is today home to Medieval Times (Toronto Public Library R-2752, Pringle & Booth – photographer)
Process & Implements Building (1906-1960s)
In 1906, architect George W Gouinlock designed a double H-shaped building at the cost of $95,000 to demonstrate “the process of manufacture.” Featuring 74,000 square feet of floor space, the structure was built using concrete, brick, and stone, and was adorned with a central dome atop its roof. The interior could be accessed through eight entrances.
Over the years, the building underwent name changes, from the Industrial Building to the General Exhibits Building. However, in the early 1960s, it met its end and is today the site of a parking lot (Courtesy of the Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives)
Art Gallery (1905-1973)
The Art Gallery, designed by architect George W Gouinlock and completed in 1905 at the cost of $40,000, was a U-shaped Neoclassical building. Its walls were constructed of brick and stone, while the floors and roof were made of reinforced concrete. The names of famous painters were carved into its walls. The two main entrances were adorned with Greek pillared porticos and short flights of stone steps. To make for optimal viewing of the paintings, along with electric illumination, natural light poured in from skylights. During its early years, the gallery showcased works by Canadian artists alongside rare and valuable paintings from prominent galleries in England and from private collectors.
The building was demolished in 1973 due to its poor condition and financial struggles. Today, the site where the Art Gallery once stood is a parking lot (CNE Archives)
Manufacturers’ Building (1903-1961)
Completed in 1903 at the cost of $110,000, the Manufacturers’ & Liberal Arts Building was the first of many buildings on Exhibition grounds designed by architect George W Gouinlock. It replaced the fair’s previous main building, the Crystal Palace, which was later destroyed by fire in 1906.
The Manufacturers’ Building was a large, one-storey, rectangular brick-clad structure. Its steel truss roof was the second largest in the city at the time (the former University Avenue Armouries was wider) and was topped with a skylight.
Various Canadian and international manufacturers displayed their products in elegant booths, which included everything from household appliances and furnishings to fine silverware and corn syrup. The displays were more for brand recognition; generally, products were not sold to the public. Attached to the south side of the Manufacturers’ Building was Hemstead’s Restaurant (in the former Women’s Building).
In January 1961, after closing for the night, restaurant caretakers said grease exploded. It ignited a 3-alarm blaze that drew thousands of spectators. Within two hours, the restaurant and the Manufacturers’ Building were burnt-out shells. At the time, damage was estimated at over $3 million. Opening for the 1962 CNE, The Better Living Centre was built on the site (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 587, Series 409, Item 43)
Independent Order of Foresters Arch (1902-1907)
Before being donated to the CNE, the Independent Order of Foresters Arch was used to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Toronto for their 1901 Royal visit. The arch was designed by architect George W Gouinlock and was originally located at the intersection of Bay St and Richmond St W, next to the Foresters headquarters, the Temple Building.
The following year, the arch was moved to Exhibition grounds. The four-fronted arch rested on huge abutments, supporting a dome topped with a 25 ft golden Tudor crown. Other details included the Maltese cross, staffs and shields.
The Forresters’ Arch was removed in 1907. In the background of the archive photo, Lake Ontario and Toronto Island are visible (City of Toronto Archives, William James Family Fonds 1244, Item 2027)
The Early Wooden Exhibition Buildings (1878/79-circa 1900)
The Agricultural Implements Hall was used to display machinery and tools for use in performing farm operations, including harvesters, mowers, straw cutters and corn shellers. The hall and offices were replaced by new buildings circa 1904.
The early wooden structures, some featuring fanciful Carpenter Gothic and Queen Anne style architectural elements, were the work of architects Stewart & Strickland, with the assistance of Mark Hall (Toronto Public Library PICTURES-R-3451)
They were constructed in 1878/79 and designed by architects Stewart & Strickland with the assistance of Mark Hall. The buildings in the distance were the New Fort. The only building from the fort that survives today is Stanley Barracks (CNE Archives)
It was purposely situated next to the railway tracks so heavy machinery for display could be easily moved from railway cars onto a platform and then directly into the building. A new Machinery Hall was constructed on the site in 1914 (CNE Archives)
- CNE Heritage
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Sep 3, 1902, pg 9
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Sep 10, 1904, pg 9
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Jun 28, 1907, pg 6
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Sep 2, 1913, pg 15
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Nov 22, 1913, pg 1
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Mar 17, 1973, pg 7
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Aug 28, 1974, pg 7
- Construction: Aug 1909, Volume 2, Issue 10, pg 59-64
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Public Library, CNE Heritage & Canadian National Exhibition Association Archives
