April 7, 1849

Duke Street narrowly avoids Great Fire of 1849

The Great Fire of 1849 destroyed entire city blocks in downtown Toronto, including historically significant sites such as St. James Cathedral and Market Square. According to a damage report that appeared in the 10 April 1849 edition of the British Colonist, the only property on Duke Street to be affected was the Colonel William Allan’s Bank of Upper Canada. All books and papers were saved.

Lithograph by Thomas Young, Looking East on King Street East, 1835. Most of the buildings depicted were destroyed in the fire.
The British Colonist – 10 April 1849

Source:

  • Report – The British Colonist, 10 April 1849
  • Image – Toronto Public Library (http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?R=DC-JRR262)