Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Kensington Market

Photo and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - January, 2010

Photo by Alan L Brown - March, 2010

Photo and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - January, 2010

On the north side of Bellevue Square near Augusta Avenue is this dual Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque. Here's what it says:

For generations, people of diverse origins have lived and worked along the narrow streets of this colourful and distinctive neighbourhood. In the mid-19th century these streets were laid out over the Denison family estate. The tightly knit blocks of businesses, homes, and community institutions evolved as successive waves of immigrants, attracted by the relative affordability of the area, added their cultural imprint to the city. The district was first occupied by British workers, then by Jewish immigrants who converted the Victorian houses into small family-run stores by adding makeshift ground-floor shops. As a result, the area was known for decades as the Jewish market. After the Second World War, new Canadians from Italy, Portugal, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia were drawn here, each in turn adding to the vibrant life of this culturally diverse marketplace. Tolerance and integration have been vital to the development of this cosmopolitan community, which is distinguished by constant renewal. Filled with scents and sounds from around the world, Kensington Market recalls the history of the Canadian urban immigrant experience in the 20th century.

Location Co-ordinates: 43.653679 -79.402034

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Posted March 11, 2010
As of March 10th, 2010, the right-hand plaque has been remounted in the proper orientation. It is hoped that the graffiti visible in the photo of the left-hand plaque will be removed as soon as possible using the proper cleaning methods.

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