Historic Fort York
100 Garrison Road
Toronto, ON M5V 3K9
416-392-6907

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Built in 1793, Fort York National Historic Site is the birthplace of urban Toronto. It is best known as the location where the Battle of York came to its violent climax in 1813 during the War of 1812.

The Fort served as the city’s primary harbour defence between the 1790s and the 1880s, and was the home of a military garrison, built by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe . Fort York was created by Sicmoe due to fears of war with the United States and a naval base was established at Toronto in order to control Lake Ontario.

As another precautionary war tactic, Simcoe also moved the Capital to Toronto rather than the town of Niagara, which he felt had exposed borders. Civilian settlement followed the created of the fort and a community named York began to grow two kilometres east of the fort (York was renamed Toronto in 1834).

In 1812 Simcoe?s worst fears came true when the United States declared war on Canada. On the 27th of April 1813, the U.S. Army and Navy attacked the community of York with 2,700 men on 14 ships and schooners. The defenders put up a strong fight but because of overwhelming odds were forced to fall back to Fort York, eventually abandoning the fort and town to the enemy

Today, Fort York is home to Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. The Fort is open year round and offers a number of services, including tours, exhibits, period room settings and seasonal demonstrations. During the summer months, the site comes alive with the colour and the pageantry of the Fort York Guard. The Fort also provides a wide variety of education programs for groups of all ages.

Hours of Operation

May 19 ? September 2,  10:00am ? 5:00pm daily
Sept. 4 ? Dec. 16,  Weekdays 10:00am ? 4:00pm, Weekends 10:00am ? 5:00pm
Dec. 18 ? Jan. 1,  Fort York is closed to the public for the holidays
January 2 ? May 18,  Weekdays: 10:00am ? 4:30pm, Weekends: 10:00am ? 5:00pm

Admission Fees

Regular: $8.76
Seniors: $4.00
Youth: $4.00
Children: $3.00
Children 5 and under: FREE
(All prices in Canadian Dollars)

Directions and of Map of Fort York

Location:  Fort York is located at 100 Garrison Rd. (Off Fleet St., east of Strachan Avenue, West of Bathurst St., just north of the new Fort York Blvd.)

By Car

From the South or West: Follow the QEW into Toronto, where it turns into the Gardiner Expressway. Exit at Jamieson and continue on Lakeshore Blvd. to Fort York Blvd

From the East: Take Highway 401 into Toronto and exit onto the Don Valley Parkway Southbound. As you approach Downtown, this will turn into the Gardiner Expressway. Exit at the Spadina offramp and keep right for Lakeshore Blvd. to Fort York Blvd.

From the North: Take Highway 400 into Toronto, exiting onto Highway 401 West. Continue until you reach Highway 427 southbound. Follow Highway 427 to downtown via the QEW/Gardiner Expressway. Exit at Jamieson and continue on Lakeshore Blvd. to Fort York Blvd

By Public Transit

Take the 511 streetcar south from Bathurst subway station.  There is a foot bridge connecting Bathurst Street to the fort’s eastern gate.

For more on bus route information call the Toronto Transit Commission for details:  (416)-393-INFO

Map of Fort York Location

Contact Fort York

Email: fortyork at toronto.ca

Telephone: 416-392-6907
Fax:  416-392-6917