Close
Return
Return to Map
Return to previous page
  • A black and white sketch drawing of the scorched remains of a church after a fire. The buildings windows are broken and there are char marks on the exterior of the structure.
  • Black and white photograph of the interior of St. James Cathedral. The pews are empty and there is a large organ, along with a curved staircase, and pointed arches.
  • Black and white photo of a church with a tall spire. The photo is taken from an angle, facing the side of the church, and there is a busy road with many horses and carriages between the photographer and the church itself.
  • A coloured painting of a horse drawn bus driving down the road with a dog running down the road in the opposite direction. Buildings visible in the background of the painting. The colour palette is mainly pastel colours.

A drawing of the scorched remains of the first St. James Cathedral following the 1849 fire. Martin Henry, 1849. Courtesy of Toronto Public Library.

St. James Anglican Cathedral, 1882. Courtesy of the Toronto Public Library.

St. James' Anglican Cathedral (opened 1853), King St. E., north east corner Church St., Toronto, Ont. 1880. Courtesy of the Toronto Public Library Archives.

H. Burt William's omnibus at the Red Lion Inn, painted by Owen Staples, 1914. Courtesy of the Toronto Public Library.

  • St. James Church

    St. James offered not only religious services, but community gatherings and social services. It served as a hospital during the War of 1812 and in the cholera epidemics of 1832 and 1834. St James Cathedral is also the final resting place for several noteworthy Torontonians, including Toronto’s first Anglican bishop, John Strachan.


    2 / 4  (use arrows at bottom right to navigate)

  • “City Cabs” First Taxicab Service

    With its central location, it functioned as a stop for the city’s first cab service, “City Cabs”, started by Thornton and Lucie Blackburn. Having fled from Louisville, Kentucky via the Underground Railway, the Blackburn’s first relocated in Detroit. However, after living in Detroit for several years they were recognized and jailed. They once again escaped and arrived in Toronto in 1834.


    3 / 4  (use arrows at bottom right to navigate)

  • Thorton and Lucie Blackburn

    The Blackburn’s were prominent figures within Toronto’s Black community and played an instrumental role in settling Black refugees who reached Canada through the Underground Railroad. They used the profits from the cab company to provide housing for Black immigrants. Many of the city’s early cab companies stemmed from “City Cabs,” and the iconic red and yellow colours for the cab were used by the Toronto Transit Commission for their first streetcars.


    4 / 4  (use arrows at bottom right to navigate)
Next Slide Previous Slide
Next Slide Previous Slide
Top of Page

Stay informed.

Our What’s On newsletter, issued every month, highlights the latest in heritage news and events.

Heritage Toronto

Historic St. Lawrence Hall
157 King Street East, 3rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5C 1G9

416-338-0684

Heritage Toronto is a charitable agency of the City of Toronto

Registered charity
#119266609RR0001

Presenting Sponsors

Logo of City of Toronto
Logo of TD Bank and their program The Ready Commitment

© 2020 Heritage Toronto

Privacy Policy