Posted on 09/08/2015 1:15:34 PM PDT by Squawk 8888
An interesting historical discovery has recently been made at the site of the North St. Lawrence Market Redevelopment project.
In a news release issued Tuesday, the city said parts of centuries-old markets that previously stood at the site of the current North St. Lawrence Market building were uncovered during an archeological assessment.
According to the release, crews unearthed evidence of markets that existed at the location in 1831, 1851 and 1904.
The items that were uncovered include foundation piers from the 1831 building, a flagstone sewer as part of either the 1831 or the 1851 building and the pre-development ground surface in the interior courtyard of the 1831 building.
Since 1803, the property has housed some type of market where cattle, sheep, poultry and other goods and merchandise were sold.
According to Dr. Peter Popkin, the lead archeologist for the revitalization project, the first brick market was built on the property in 1831 and the north end of the building functioned as the town hall and later city hall until the building was destroyed by a fire in 1849.
Popkin said that in light of the findings, further archeological assessment will likely be required before construction can begin on the new facility to ensure that items of historical significance can be preserved.
The new facility will replace the aging building that currently sits at the site with a four-storey structure that will house a farmers market, an antique market as well as court rooms, a parking garage and an administrative building.
It is not entirely clear how long construction could be delayed.
Canada Ping!
Depends on how long the Archeologist can milk the revenue stream.
When you're out of slits, you're out of pier.
Was in Toronto 10 days ago to pick up my daughter after she got her graduate degree at U of T. We went to St Lawrence Market and had a peameal bacon sandwich. A Toronto tradition surpassed only by the futility of rooting for the Maple Leafs. Also went to Tommy Thompson park. Man made but a great quiet place only 10 mins from Yonge and Queen St.
When you’re out of slits, you’re out of pier.
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OK, that was terrible (in a good way).
But how long have you been waiting for that opportunity and/or how many times have you used it before?
It's just there when the opportunity arises...
...and probably a hundred times, in the course of 50 or so years since I first heard it as a kid.
When my Parisian wife and I were dating we drove by a barn in California said it was built in 1862 - I pointed it out as an old building, she laughed and said the middle school she attended was built in 1680
LOL not much original construction remaining from that far back. Before the town was established in the 1790s, it had been a trading centre for the Iroquois and other tribes in the area because it was at the convergence of several canoe routes that covered much of what is now Ontario, New York, Ohio and Michigan (I was told that Toronto means “Meeting Place” in one of the tribal languages). There are several sites around here where on can still find the occasional arrowhead or shard of pottery.
Very cool photo...
I live within walking distance of the market and get all my meat there- awesome quality and prices slightly better than supermarkets.
I liked it. That is the main market that is still open today; the building being redeveloped is a nondescript box across the street.
That’s too bad. I like descript buildings. = :^)
Buildings with some character add spice to life.
eh?
What crews?
While we were there, we got fruit, bread, and some sliced meat from a deli. They called it “Montreal meat”, but the vendor said that while it was very good, if we were ever to get to Montreal the taste was even better. I thought it was pretty good as it was.
Wow, look at all those single telephone lines! I remember telephone poles like that with 3 o4 4 rows of lines.
Thanks Squawk 8888.
Thanks, Squawk. We moved to Toronto in 1959 and I remember my mother taking us to the St.Lawrence Market. Coming from a small town, we were thrilled at the size and scope of the place. I was by there about a month ago for the first time in about 40 years. Didn’t recognize the place at all. Things happen, but I still have the memories. :)
I observed that alot of the old buildings in paris where in public service. firehouses and such. makes for an interesting city.
Wow, look at all those single telephone lines! I remember telephone poles like that with 3 o4 4 rows of lines.
I noticed that as well
High bandwidth internet.
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