#ExperienceTO: Stock Yards Historical Tour

"When the Western Cattle Market downtown became inadequate, a group of cattle dealers and businessmen from the Junction area agreed in 1902 to form the Union Stockyard Company. Very important to developments was the Rountree family, who were in real estate and cattle dealing with others in the Junction area; most were members of the West York Agricultural Association. By 1903, the alliance had acquired acreage at the southwest corner of the intersection, moved the existing houses across Keele Street to the east side, and opened the yards with frame and timber structures. A fire in 1908 destroyed most of these, but they were quickly replaced by others with concrete foundations and platforms. The CPR put in a spur line and gained a monopoly. The dealers wanted competition and invited the Grand Trunk Railway to install a spur north of St. Clair, leaving the CPR south of St. Clair. After much controversy, the railway board gave full clearance to the GTR to proceed. Packing houses – Gunn’s, the Harris Abattoir, and others – built along the north side of St. Clair. Maple Leaf arrived in 1927. Swift’s Canadian Company of Chicago had moved in by 1911, created a plant, and occupied most of a block. The stockyards expanded in 1908, 1913–14, and 1917–18 and took over property at Symes Road and St. Clair. During World War I, the stockyards had been taken over for military use as a corral for thousands of horses. The army controlled the site for five years until 1919. From almost the outset, the site had contained an important horse exchange, which remained throughout the war years and resumed normal operations after the war. In 1944, the Ontario government nationalized the stockyards as the Ontario Public Stockyards, then later as the Ontario Stockyards, expropriating the properties and compensating the former owners." (Toronto Historical Association)

Join us for a FREE, public walking tour that will be a good experience for anyone: whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, and whether you’re a curious local, solo traveler, backpacker, newcomer, or part of a group of friends.

ABOUT

Beginning under the gazebo that's in the middle of Maple Claire Park (20 Viella St, Toronto, ON M6N 5C8), the interactive tour will be hosted by Alex Rășcanu and David Hollands. The tour will focus on Stock Yards' history. It will conclude at a nearby coffee shop.

WHEN

Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00am. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes.

WHERE TO MEET

The tour will start under the gazebo that's in the middle of Maple Claire Park (20 Viella St, Toronto, ON M6N 5C8).

WHERE IT ENDS

This tour will end at a nearby coffee shop, where you can order coffee/tea/brunch and spend some more time speaking and connecting with fellow historical tour participants.

GUEST SPEAKER
David Hollands is a Torontonian, a husband, a father, a former head of creative at the Royal Ontario Museum, and an architect.

FACILITATOR
Alex Rășcanu is a Torontonian, a husband, a father of four, and an avid student of our city's history. Stay in touch with him on LinkedIn / X / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube.

#ExperienceTO Stock Yards Historical Tour

Host or Publisher Alex Rascanu