First Toronto Post Office and Its Rich History

The first Toronto Post Office was a humble affair, established in 1801 in a small building on King Street. It was a vital hub for communication in the young city.

The post office was located in a wooden building that was previously used as a tavern. This building was chosen for its strategic location, close to the city's central square.

The first postmaster of the Toronto Post Office was John McGill, a Scottish-born merchant who played a significant role in the city's early development.

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The Fourth York Post Office, also known as Toronto's First Post Office, has a rich history dating back to 1833. It was built before York became the City of Toronto, making it a significant landmark in the city's development.

The building served as a post office until 1837, with James Scott Howard as its first postmaster.

The building was used for various purposes after it stopped being a post office, including being leased for uses such as a school.

In 1925, the United Farmers' Co-Operative Company bought the building and converted it into a cold storage food warehouse, a use it served until 1956.

The building was left vacant from 1971 until it was bought by Sheldon and Judith Godfrey for restoration.

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The First Toronto Post Office has a rich history that spans over a century. It was built in 1832, although it wasn't used as a post office until 1836.

The building served as a post office for only four years, from 1836 to 1837, under the first postmaster, James Scott Howard. This is a relatively short period in the life of a building that would go on to have many other uses.

The post office was known as the "Fourth York Post Office" and "Toronto's First Post Office", reflecting its dual identity as both a successor to earlier post offices and the first to serve the newly incorporated city of Toronto.

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The James Scott Howard house on Adelaide Street East has been a significant part of Toronto's history, serving as the city's first post office.

In 1870, the house was still a private residence, but it would soon take on a new role as a post office.

Toronto's first post office was officially opened in 1912, with the James Scott Howard house serving as its location.

A photo from 1980 shows the house with its windows rounded and bricked up, a change from its original state.

By 1984, the post office had been restored to its original appearance, with antique postal boxes on display.

The building's exterior has remained relatively unchanged since its restoration, with a modern post box visible on the street in front.

Here's a timeline of the James Scott Howard house's history as Toronto's first post office:

The first post office in Toronto was established in 1803, and it was located on the waterfront.

In the early days, mail was carried by horseback, with riders traveling long distances to deliver letters and packages.

The first mail carrier in Toronto was a man named William Allan, who was appointed as the postmaster in 1803.

Mail was carried in a leather saddlebag, which was a common method of carrying mail at the time.

The mail route was a long and difficult one, with riders facing challenges such as inclement weather and rough terrain.

In 1851, the first steam-powered ship arrived in Toronto, revolutionizing the transportation of mail.

The mail carrier's job became much easier with the introduction of the steam-powered ship, but it was still a challenging task.

The mail carrier's route took them through the streets of Toronto, where they would deliver mail to homes and businesses.

The mail carrier's work was essential to the community, and they played a vital role in keeping people connected.

In the late 1800s, the mail carrier's job became even more efficient with the introduction of the railway.

The railway allowed mail to be transported quickly and efficiently, making it easier for people to communicate with each other.

The mail carrier's role continued to evolve over the years, with the introduction of new technologies and transportation methods.