Return of the Magri Stecchi
Where you are standing was once the commercial centre of the Town of York, Toronto's forerunner. It is part of a 2.2 ha site which was officially dedicated as a market in 1803. The area, now bounded by King, Jarvis, Front and Church streets, was an uneven parcel of land with a small stream running diagonally across it. The ten original blocks of the Town of York are located just to the east of here.
The first market building, an 8 m by 12 m, single-storey wooden structure, was built in 1814. Held every Saturday, the market was the only place farmers could sell their produce to Town residents. Water was needed for the market, so, the Town's first public well was dug near here in 1823.
As the early focus of business and social activity in the community, the market often became the setting for civic activities and functions. Public punishment of criminals also took place here. Stocks that once stood in the market square were last used in 1834.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.