2020 – Old City Hall, serving today as an Ontario Court of Justice courthouse, is located at 60 Queen St W, in downtown Toronto
Old City Hall and York County Court House, serving today as an Ontario Court of Justice courthouse, is located at 60 Queen St W (bordered by Bay St, Albert St and James St) in downtown Toronto.
In 1885, the City held an international competition to design a courthouse. The budget was $200,000, and 50 architects submitted designs. These plans fell through as the budget was too low for the vast land space to be filled. A year later, the City held another competition, and the pool of architects was much smaller. Edward James Lennox was one of them, and his design for the courthouse was the winning proposal.
Excavation for the building had begun; however, costs were again an issue. The land sat excavated for months, and during that time, City councillors determined that a city hall was also needed. In 1887, Mr Lennox drafted new plans for the dual-purpose building.
Toronto’s third City Hall is designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. During the 1890s, EJ Lennox was one of the many architects throughout Canada and the US influenced by American architect Henry Hobson Richardson’s style. This was especially true regarding town halls and courthouses, as they displayed a sense of pride, stature and dignity. Construction on Toronto’s monumental, quadrangular structure finally began in 1889.
The Bold Exterior
1920 – The gargoyle at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 1, Item 350)
The facades are made with massive and richly textured sandstone – the rose from Credit Valley and the brown for trimmings from New Brunswick. Architectural highlights of the structure include a monumental off-centre clock tower with gargoyles, a centre courtyard, a triple-arched entrance on the south side that’s reached by a flight of steps, substantial window openings, towers and steeply pitched, hipped copper roofs with gable dormers.
There are also intricate stone carvings which include finials, voussoirs and grotesques. Some of the grotesques are said to be caricatures of the councillors who disapproved of and fought EJ Lennox. He came under great criticism when it was discovered that he secretly had his name, “EJ LENNOX ARCHITECT” spelled out in the stone carvings under the eaves.
The Picturesque Interior
May 22, 1936 – Old City Hall Foyer Old (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 137a)
Inside the two-storey entrance hall is a magnificent, divided staircase with marble treads and landings as well as bronze and iron detailing. Facing the entranceway, on the staircase, is an enormous, allegorical stained-glass window by Robert McCausland. The Council Chamber features a stunning gallery.
Other elements of the exquisite interior include a mosaic floor, doorknobs with the City’s crest, wrought-iron grotesques and gas-lamp standards, columns with plaster capitals, moulded beams and panelled ceilings. Many skilled tradespeople and artists were involved in creating the landmark, including George Agnew Reid, who painted the foyer murals.
Interesting Facts
1901 – Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 311)
After many stumbling blocks, including cost issues, disagreements, lawsuits and scandals, Toronto’s City Hall and York County Court House were finally completed in 1899. The cost was $2.5 million.
The building was in use until 1965 when the Toronto City Hall we know today was completed. Soon after, Old City Hall was threatened with demolition to make room for the Eaton Centre. All that would be left was the clock tower as a monument. Thankfully, this incredible piece of Toronto and Canada’s architectural heritage was saved by the preservationist group “Friends of Old City Hall.”
Toronto’s Old City Hall received heritage status from the City in 1973; however, it became a National Historic Site in 1984.
The building continues to serve as a courthouse for the Ontario Court of Justice. There’s been talk over the years about the majestic and finely crafted building becoming a museum.
Haunted Tales
Courtroom 33 is rumoured to be haunted. There’s a theory that it’s the spirits of the last two men sentenced to capital punishment in Canada in 1962.
In a rear stairwell, there are reports of footsteps being heard, plus judges have felt tugging on their robes. Moans have been heard in the cellars of the majestic old building, which was the holding area for prisoners. Click for more haunted tales.
Did You Know?
When the town of York became the City of Toronto in 1834, the City’s officials met in a market building located at the southwest corner of King St E and Jarvis St. Although it was temporary, it was considered the first City Hall. Today it’s home to St Lawrence Hall.
Toronto’s second City Hall, built in 1844, was at Front and Jarvis Sts, on the southwest corner and where the St Lawrence Market South building stands today. A portion of that structure still exists at the market’s entrance. At the time, it was a multi-use municipal building housing Council Chambers, the Mayor’s Office, a police station, a jail and a corn exchange.
Toronto-born EJ Lennox is responsible for many of the City’s beautiful heritage buildings. Known as “the Builder of Toronto,” a few of the buildings he designed include the Casa Loma, King Edward Hotel and the Bank of Toronto Building (at Yonge and Shuter Sts).
Completed in 1965, new Toronto City Hall is located to the west at 100 Queen St W.
Old City Hall Photos
2020 – Old City Hall, serving today as an Ontario Court of Justice courthouse, is located at 60 Queen St W, in downtown Toronto1899 – Old City Hall at 60 Queen St W in Toronto. Construction began in 1889, and this photo was taken the year it was completed. Notice the clock had not yet been installed (Toronto Public Library R-822)2023 – Looking southeast towards the Old City Hall from Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto1901 – Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 311)2022 – Looking southeast towards the Old City Hall, serving today as an Ontario Court of Justice courthouse, is located at 60 Queen St W in downtown Toronto1979 – Looking southeast from Nathan Phillips Square towards Old City Hall in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 13, Item 74) Between 1980 and 1991 – Looking east towards the Old City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 418, Item 13) 1924 – Looking southeast towards Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 323a) 1930 – Looking up Bay St from above Adelaide St W towards the Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 1212) 1978 – Looking west from Queen St W and Yonge St towards Woolworth’s, the Old City Hall and in the background, the Canada Life Building (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 90, Item 7) 2022 – Looking northeast towards the Old City Hall and the Cenotaph located at 60 Queen St W in downtown Toronto2022 – The Bay St entrance to Old City Hall in downtown Toronto. Notice the intricate stonework details and the words “COURT HOUSE” over the entrance2020 – Old City Hall located at 60 Queen St W, in downtown Toronto1975 – Looking northeast along Queen St W towards Old City Hall and Eatons in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 124, File 3, ID 54) 2021 – Looking northeast from Queen St W towards Old City Hall in downtown Toronto1960s – Looking northeast from Queen St W and Bay St towards Old City Hall in downtown. Toronto. Notice the Eatons building in the background on the right (City of Toronto Archives, Series 65, File 561, Item 17)Circa 1960 – An aerial view looking northeast towards what we know today as Old City Hall. Notice the land cleared on the left for the construction of Toronto’s New City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. Also notice in the right foreground, the Broadway Theatre, where the Coco-Cola sign is (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1128, Series 380, Item 399) 1966 – A Model of Eaton Centre Development, demolishing Old City Hall. Notice the tower on the right (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 420, Item 14) 1960s – Old City Hall and the yellow Metro Police car on Bay St in front of the side entrance (City of Toronto Archives, Series 65, File 651, Item 2) 2020 – Looking east on the north side of Old City Hall on Albert St between Bay St and James St in downtown Toronto2021 – Looking north toward the Cenotaph located at the front steps of Old City Hall at 60 Queen St W, in downtown Toronto1940s – Looking northeast from Bay St and Adelaide St W towards the Old City Hall Tower on Queen St W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 3) September 30, 1914 – Nurses on the steps of the Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 32, Item 353) 1951 – Toronto City Council at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 1224) Circa 1915 – Lobby at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 2407) 1910 – Main floor of Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 323F) May 22, 1936 – Old City Hall Foyer (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 137a) 2022 – Inside the Old City Hall located at 60 Queen St W in downtown Toronto1936 – The Memorial window in the foyer at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 137b) Between 1908 and 1910 – Court Room at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 637) 1926 – Looking north from the foot of Bay St towards the Old City Hall on Queen St W in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 519) 1907 – Looking north up Bay St towards Queen St W and Old City Hall Clock Tower. Notice the former Temple Building on the left (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 7141)Circa 1920 – Looking southeast toward Old City Hall from approximately Hagerman St, west of Bay St. The intersection in the photo was Bay St and the former Louisa St (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 1127) Between 1980 to 1998 – Looking east from the Canada Life Building toward Toronto’s New and Old City Halls (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 55, ID 6)1929 – Looking east from the Canada Life Building towards Osgoode Hall, The Ward (future site of new Toronto City Hall) and Old City Hall in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 89) 2022 – Construction began on Old City Hall in 1889, and after many delays, it was completed a decade later2022 – Construction on Old City Hall was completed in 18981920 – The gargoyle at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 1, Item 350) July 9, 1920 – Roofing repairs at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 1, Item 340) 1977 – Close view of Grotesques on the Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1526, File 13, Item 89) July 9, 1920 – Roofing repairs at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 1, Item 340) January 12, 1921 – Broken stonework finial on the southwest corner at Old City Hall roof (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 1, Item 401) July 14, 1898 – Laying the closure stone on Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1268, Series 1317, Item 216) 2020 – The gargoyles at Old City Hall in downtown Toronto1918 – Looking southeast towards Old City Hall, from the former Louisa St just west of Bay St. Bay St, between Queen St W and College St, was previously known as Terauley St. In 1797, Dr James Macaulay, a former army surgeon for the Queen’s Rangers, was granted several acres of land in the area west of Yonge St and north of Queen St W from the Crown. His residence was called Teraulay Cottage (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 1002) 1923 – From rooftops looking northeast towards the front of what we know today as Old City Hall. Serving today as an Ontario Court of Justice courthouse is located at 60 Queen St W, in downtown Toronto (Fonds 200, Series 372, Sub Series 41, Item 129)2022 – Looking northeast towards Old City Hall, serving today as an Ontario Court of Justice courthouse, is located at 60 Queen St W in downtown Toronto. Construction began in 1889, and after many delays, it was completed a decade later1913 – Looking northeast towards Old City Hall from The Ward, where the water fountain/ice rink stands in Nathan Phillips Square stands today (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 32, Item 187) 1901 – Looking towards the Arch on Bay St for the Royal Tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. Notice the former Temple Building (Independent Order of Foresters) on the left and the Old City Hall clock tower in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1558, Item 504) April 3, 1934 – Toronto Centennial 1834-1934 (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 41, Item 360) May 2, 1911 – Old City Hall was decorated for the inauguration of Toronto Hydro (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1568, Item 361) 1927 – Looking northwest from Queen St W and Bay St during a visit from the Prince of Wales. Today the northwest corner is home to Nathan Phillips Square at Toronto City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 1776)2021 – Looking northwest from Queen St W and Bay St towards Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall and Old City Hall1959 – British Petroleum’s Mr Beep automobile at Old City Hall with Metro Toronto Police Traffic Safety Division vehicles (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7637) 1914 – Demonstration trench at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 951) 2022 – The entrance to Old City Hall located at 60 Queen St W in downtown Toronto1910 – An aerial view looking northwest from King St W and Bay St towards the Old City Hall Clock Tower. The tall building to the left of the tower is the former Temple Building (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 597) 1966 – Looking northeast from Queen St W towards Old City Hall in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 124, File 2, ID 4) May 4, 1922 – Sacks of tax bills in front of Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Sub Series 41, Item 123) Between 1990 and 1992 – Looking southeast from the City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square towards Old City Hall in downtown Toronto. The Archer is a sculpture by the British artist Henry Moore (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 674, Item 27) August 2, 1963 – Metropolitan Toronto Traffic Computer Control Centre, 418 and 1107 consoles at Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 475, Series 2291, File 1, Item 22) March 15, 1963 – Pay tax and water bills at the wickets in Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 475, Series 2291, File 1, Item 17) July 10, 1961 – Strikers inside the Old City Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 2017) Circa 1889 – Globe Foundry on Queen St W, demolished for Old City Hall (Archives of Ontario I0021863)2023 – The heritage plaque reads:
Old City Hall York County Court House
“Built between 1889 and 1899, this impressive Richardsonian Romanesque structure by local architect E.J. Lennox was the solution to the need of both the city of Toronto and York County for new quarters. Its superb downtown site, richly carved sandstone surfaces and variety in colour and texture combine in a clear expression of the region’s late 19th-century self-confidence. “Great buildings,” stated Mayor John Shaw at its opening, “symbolize a people’s deeds and aspirations.” This structure is among Canada’s most important examples of monumentally scaled city halls.”
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada – Government of Canada 2021 – The heritage plaque reads:
“Old” City Hall
“City Hall was designed in 1887 by E.J. Lennox to fit this central site at the head of Bay Street. In one structure, these municipal buildings combined a City Hall, in the east portion and Courthouse, in the west. The building, constructed mostly of Credit River Valley sandstone, was begun in 1889 but not opened until September 18, 1899. Massive, round-arched, and richly carved, it is in the Romanesque Revival style, then popular in expanding cities throughout North America. The interior, as complex and monumental as the exterior, includes a large stained glass window by Robert McCausland. The building was acquired by the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto in 1965 when the City moved to a new City Hall on the adjacent Civic Square.”
Erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Located in front of Old City Hall on Queen St W near James St