Our Industrial Heritage
Toronto's early industrial heritage thrived in West Toronto Junction when the Stockyards relocated from downtown Toronto to the southwest corner of St. Clair and Keele in 1903. Until 1945, the majority of livestock sold at the Ontario Stock Yards were transported by rail and while most were slaughtered in the Junction area, some were also shipped out by rail to national and international markets. This attracted meatpacking companies, including Gunns, Swift Canadian, the Harris Abattoir and a variety of industry-related businesses to agglomerate in the vicinity. Rail became an important feature in the urban landscape, as it provided employment, connected distant markets, stimulated engineering and local economy. However, the preference of rail shifted to trucks and highways during the 1950-60s. Local packing businesses shut down in the late 20th century as their location on the outskirts of the City stopped being advantageous. The Ontario Stock Yards closed in 1994.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.