Historical Atlas of Toronto

Renowned map historian Derek Hayes provides a unique perspective on Toronto's colourful past.

In just two centuries, Toronto has grown from a tiny outpost of the British Empire to a world-class city, by far the largest in Canada. First a native village, then a French trading fort, the site became the capital of the newly established Upper Canada in 1793. The little settlement survived two attacks by the American army in the War of 1812, and became a city—Toronto—in 1834, just as it became necessary to withstand the challenge of armed rebellion from within, led by William Lyon Mackenzie, who had been the first mayor of Toronto. The city went on to become a railway hub, and developed an industrial and trading base the equal of no other...