WOMEN
OF THE
WARD
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Getting Started
Welcome to the Women of the Ward Walking Tour! Through this interactive map, you can explore Toronto's city streets as they stood over 100 years ago. To follow the order of the tour, simply use this side menu to move from one point to another.
The main part of the tour consists of four primary destinations, where you will encounter four different women from The Ward's past.
Click on the icon below the zoom buttons to locate yourself on the map.
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Using the Map
The black markers indicate the locations of Women of the Ward. You can either find audio of the monologues by clicking on the marker or by navigating through the side menu.
The camera icons on the map show the location of photographs of the neighbourhood. You can see the photographs by clicking on the cameras, or by going through the sidebar menu following the monologues.
The menu at the top-left of the screen lets you switch from the 1910 view to the modern satellite view. Things have changed, of course, so be sure to use it if you get lost.
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The Women
Cecilia Jane Reynolds— Joined the African-American community in Toronto after escaping slavery and initiated a longstanding correspondence with her former enslaver in order to obtain freedom for her mother and brother.
Elizabeth Neufeld— A Jewish-American social worker who established Central Neighbourhood House, the first settlement agency in Toronto
Annie Whelan— An Irish immigrant who ran an underground bootlegging operation in order to support her family.
Jean Lumb— An activist and owner of a Chinese restaurant who helped break down barriers for the Chinese community in Toronto.
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Chapters
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Begin the Tour
Begin the tour at the Church of the Holy Trinity, between City Hall and the Eaton Centre.
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What is The Ward?
Press the play button below to listen to a history of St. John's Ward.
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Walk to Centre and Armoury
As you walk north up Centre Street, you will run into the original location of Cecilia Jane Reynolds' home.
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Cecilia Jane Reynolds 1/2
Click the play button below to listen to a history of Cecilia Reynolds, the ex-slave who started a new life in The Ward.
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Cecilia Jane Reynolds 2/2
Click the play button below to listen to Cecelia Reynolds talk about her experience escaping slavery and living in the Ward.
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Walk to Gerrard St. West
Walk north to Gerrard St West towards the marker, where you'll meet Elizabeth Neufeld at Central Neighbourhood House
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Elizabeth Neufeld 1/2
Click the play button below to listen to a history of Elizabeth Neufeld, who advocated for the people of The Ward through Central Neighbourhood House
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Elizabeth Neufeld 2/2
Click on the play button below to listen to Elizabeth Neufeld speak about Central Neighbourhood House and raising funds for a playground at the Elizabeth Street School.
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Walk south on Bay Street
Follow Elizabeth Neufeld as she marches down Terauley (Bay St.) towards City Hall. Turn right and you'll run into Annie Whelan, who is on her way back from the courthouse.
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Annie Whelan 1/2
Click on the play button below to listen to the history of prohibition—and its rulebreakers—in Toronto
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Annie Whelan 2/2
Click on the play button below to listen to Annie Whelan talk about her neighbourhood speakeasy.
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Head towards Elizabeth Street
Walk north on Elizabeth Street, where you'll find Jean Lumb and the Kwong Chow restaurant
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Jean Lumb 1/2
Click on the play button below to hear the story of Jean Lumb and to learn more about Chinese-Canadian history in Toronto
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Jean Lumb 2/2
Listen to Jean Lumb talk about introducing Chinese cuisine—including Dim Sum—to Toronto.
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Congratulations, you've completed the Women of the Ward Walking Tour! Below, we've included some original photographs of The Ward courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives.
Photography
In the early 20th century, the City of Toronto captured hundreds of photographs of The Ward and its residents. Here are some highlights from the neighbourhood.
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Trinity Church
Church of the Holy Trinity. Photograph taken between 1920 and 1940 (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Max Silverman
The Ward's rough conditions didn't prevent entrepreneurs like Max Silverman from starting their own businesses (Image source: City of Toronto Archives).
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142 Agnes Street
142 Agnes (Dundas) street. A typical slum courtyard in the Ward (Image source: City of Toronto Archives).
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110-112 Elm Street
A corner store on Elm Street. Today, SickKids hospital occupies this city block. (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Elizabeth Street School
The Elizabeth Street School Playground. Elizabeth Neufeld marched with children from the Ward to fund a new playground at the school. (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Walton and Terauley
A corner store on the southeast corner of Walton and Bay in 1928. The methodist church on Edward Street is visible in the background.
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Elm and Bay
A typical street scene at the corner of Terauley (Bay st. and Elm). The outline of this house is visible on the 1910 map. (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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50 Terauley St.
European immigrants, many of them posessing little to no money upon arrival, packed into the Ward's tight quarters. (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Eaton's on James St.
Many of the Ward's residents worked in the Eaton's complex located just east of the neighbourhood. (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Albert and Terauley
The old city hall at Terauley (Bay) and Queen St. West overlooked St. John's Ward. (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Terauley Street
The corner of Terauley (Bay) and Albert.(Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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21 Elizabeth Street
The housing block above stood at the location of Nathan Phillips Square. (Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Albert and Elizabeth
This store at Albert and Elizabeth contained a display written in Hebrew, one of the many indications of the Ward's Jewish presence in the early 20th century.(Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Albert and Chestnut
A typical street corner in the Ward.(Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Nanking Restaurant
Opened in 1947, the Nanking Restaurant and Tavern was part of a Chinese restaurant boom in The Ward's old commercial spine.
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Lichee Gardens
Opened by Harry Lem in 1948, not only was Lichee Gardens a favourite among Toronto's Chinese population, but among non-Chinese diners as well.
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Osgoode Hall
While Osgoode Hall has undergone extensive renovations during the past century, the building and property remains relatively unchanged.(Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Canada Life Tower
A view of The Ward from the Canada Life tower in 1929.(Image source: City of Toronto Archives)
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Credits
Produced By
Myseum of Toronto
The Tell
Tour Written By
John Lorinc
Tatum Taylor
Myseum of Toronto
Monologues Performed and Written By
Meghan Swaby
Marjorie Chan
Coleen MacPherson
Ali Joy Richardson
Katie Ryerson
Special Thanks
John Lorinc
Tatum Taylor
QGIS
Mapbox
Geojson.io
Imagery Provided By
City of Toronto Archives
Priam Thomas
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