Trip on Thursday June 9th - Mackenzie House & historic walk of St Lawrence Market

FYI - thanks to our three parent volunteers Amelia's dad, Jolie's mom and Taiyara's mom joining us on Thursday.

Please note that we will eat lunch in the yard at Mackenzie House, then walk over to St Lawrence Market.  I will be stopping for a washroom break and quick visit at the St Lawrence Market, there will be lots of treats to look at.  Parents, it is at your discretion to allow your child to bring $5 for a treat, it is not a necessity.  The focus is seeing the historical buildings :)

Landmarks we will see:

St. Lawrence Market

The old market building on the right holds this great market hall, which was constructed around the city's second city hall (1844-45). The pedimented facade that you see as you stand in the center of the hall was originally the center block of the city hall.

Exit the market where you came in. Cross Wellington St. and cut through Market Lane Park and the shops at Market Sq., past the N market building. Turn right onto King St. to:

St. Lawrence Hall

This was the focal point of the community in the mid-19th century. This hall, once the site of grand city occasions, political rallies, balls, and entertainment, was where Frederick Douglass delivered an antislavery lecture; Jenny Lind and Adelina Patti sang in 1851 and 1860, respectively; Gen. Tom Thumb appeared in 1862; and George Brown campaigned for Confederation. William Thomas designed the elegant Palladian-style building, which boasts a domed cupola.

Cross King Street and enter the 19th-century garden. It has a cast-iron drinking fountain for people, horses, and dogs, and flowerbeds filled with seasonal blooms.

Flatiron or Gooderham Building

This building was the headquarters of George Gooderham, who expanded his distilling business into railroads, insurance, and philanthropy; the original factories are now the Distillery District. At one time, his liquor business was the biggest in the British Empire. The very attractive five-story building occupies a triangular site, with the windows at the western edge beautifully curved and topped with a semicircular tower. 

We will then walk North until King St E and then take the 504 Streetcar east to Broadview Station, then Eastbound back to Donlands Station.

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/toronto/717112#ixzz4Ar5BnmH3