List of all SquaresActivitiesDocumentationClassificationEvaluationPsychogeographyNetworkWho We AreContact Us  
   
James Beaty Courtyard, Toronto, 2022[open full screen version]  

 
  Previous St. Jacobs and Elora - two town parks

This is one quite unusual place. It is still good example that something can be done in the old city core to save at least some of the heritage values.

First of all I am naming this space James Beaty Courtyard. It is namless now. It is located in the north edge [King Street] of the first 10 city blocks as etablished in 1793.

When King George Square condominium complex was finished in 2009 this courtyard was squeezed between new building and historic structure in the corner with Jarvis Street.

On December 7th, 2009 the statue of James Beaty was installed in this courtyard. As the installation began the first snowflakes of the season fell, reminiscent of the real James Beaty's 1818 arrival in Muddy York, where an unusual March snowfall had taken place.

  This bronze replica of James Beaty, created by Adrienne Alison, is looking out towards the building on the opposite side of King George Square, which in the mid-1800's was the site of his newspaper "The Leader", and Canada's first steam printing press.

But who is this person and why is he important in the history of Toronto?

James Beaty (2 October 1798 – 5 March 1892) was elected to the 1st Canadian Parliament on 20 September 1867 under the Conservative Party. He was re-elected in 1872 for the 2nd Canadian Parliament, his final term in federal politics. He was a member of the Disciples of Christ Christian denomination.

  In 1852, Beaty established the Toronto Leader newspaper and positioned himself as a champion of unions, when the typographers of Toronto went on strike in 1872. This put him in direct opposition to George Brown and the Globe newspaper.

Quite accidentally, while walking with my granddaughter in the stroller, I observed this courtyard with intriguing statue inside.

My studio #08 is just hundred meters in air line from this courtyard, (look at the photo bellow map), same distance from the St. Lawrence Hall, little bit further away from the St. Michaels Cathedral and still unknown in the neighbourhood.

This is an opportunity now to get more familiar and maybe even visit this space in person.

Next Financial District Courtyard, Toronto

 
           
  East York Civic Centre Park, Toronto, Map  
more about
evaluation method
more about
types of squares
sociability
6
social
x
uses & activities
6
ceremonial
x
access & linkages
9
religious
x
comfort
8
traffic circle
x
image
7
court yard
x
tourist value
2
shopping
x
total
36
with park
x
 
         
   
         
  Market Lane Park, Toronto  
             
  Market Lane Park, Toronto  
     
   
  If you want to read text on the plaque placed behind the statue click on it to enlarge ^ . . .  
   
           
  ..................  
urban squares initiative is licensed under a creative commons attribution-share alike 2.5 canada license
 
List of all SquaresActivitiesDocumentationClassificationEvaluationPsychogeographyNetworkWho We AreContact Us  
Last time updated on January 16, 2024 13:06