Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 13th Year - 2017

To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page

Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone in Landscape mode (Horizontal)

Poulton Block 1885

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted August, 2007

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted February, 2010

At 798 Queen Street East at Boulton Avenue, attached near the door of this 132-year-old building (as of 2017), is this 2007 Heritage Toronto plaque erected with support from the Riverdale Historical Society. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.659606 -79.346974

This prominent building was constructed for William B. Poulton, a painter and a Mason, primarily for use by the Masonic Orient Lodge. The block was designed by Kennedy, Gaviller & Holland, Architects, in Gothic Revival style. Early occupants of the ground-floor shops included a druggist and a bank. The third floor, marked by Moorish window arches, served as 'Orient Hall' until 1912. From 1888 to 1910, the Toronto Public Library's 'Eastern Branch', its first branch east of the Don River, was located in rooms at the back of the building.

More Heritage Toronto/Riverdale Historical Society plaques
Allen's Danforth Theatre 1919
Cranfield House 1902
Dingman's Hall (later Broadview Hotel) 1891
The Don Jail 1859-1864
The Don River Bridge, 1803
Dr. Garon Cleland House 1906
Frederick Hubbard House 1909
Owen Staples House and Studio 1904
Riverdale Courts 1913
The Scadding Cabin, 1794
St. Matthew's Anglican Church 1890
St. Matthew's Lawn Bowling Clubhouse
Straightening the Don, 1890
Thomas Hogarth House circa 1875
William Peyton Hubbard 1842-1935

More
Commercial buildings

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted December 30, 2013
My mother is a Poulton (Cynthia died December 1st 2011, Aurora, Ontario) and a descendant of this family. There were 18 children in her family. There are 2 elder Poulton's still alive, Raymond (80) and Stanly (December 2013). Raymond retains many of the stories related to the family. His twin brother Stan is a known and respected Toronto commercial developer having been involved in the 2nd and 3rd enclosed malls in the entire country. They were all innovative and accomplished in their fields even through the generations. The youngest of the Poulton family (Brent Poulton) would now be in his 50's and is the owner of a well known chicken wing franchise company in Ontario. He lives in North Toronto with his family. Of the Poulton women who married but did not retain the name there are a multitude of family members still residing in Toronto to this day many of which still involved in land development, building and endeavouring to make Toronto a better place to live.

> Posted June 5, 2013
Why is the block named Poulton, but the street named Boulton? Were they related and mis-spelled somewhere along the line? The names seem to similar to be coincidental.

Here's where you can sent me a comment for this page.

Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.

To send me your comment, click [email protected].

Thanks
Webmaster

Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click here.