Military heritage site on top of and surrounded by stratified archaeological sites.
Details of Site Location: Bounded by the Humber River on three sides, the area is on a point of land known today as Baby Point. Primary access to the area is from Jane Street, which encloses the point on the east side.
Current Use of Property: Housing.
Historical Description: The French Regime in the Toronto area opened with the 1615 trip down the Toronto Carrying Place Trail by Étienne Brûlé. This event led to the use of the Humber portage route by French fur traders, other explorers and mapmakers, and missionaries. In order to protect their trade, the French built a series of three forts, of which this one was the first. On the authority and with funds supplied by the French monarch, the Governor of Canada, the Marquis Philippe de Rigaud de Vaudreuil, ordered this fort built at what is now Baby Point, on the site of layers of aboriginal villages and encampments stretching back centuries. In 1720, M. Douville constructed the fort of logs. It was quite small, but had a village and boatyard associated with it, and it was garrisoned by French regulars. Its purpose was to capture fur traders before they reached Albany on the south side of Lake Ontario, where the English controlled trade. Trade was much greater than the capacity of the little rectangular building and it was abandoned after its successor was built. The fort was called “Le Magasin Royal” – the Royal Store – because of its royal connection; it is also believed to be the only location in the area where the Royal Standard of France was flown. This humble log building was the first structure ever built in the Toronto region.
Relative Importance: As a whole, Baby Point is of overwhelming archaeological importance, as it contains centuries of history. As a French military site or structure of any kind built by non natives, it is of first importance. Local residents have collected artefacts, and surveys by archaeologists have consistently identified the site as one of first importance. Given the existence of the housing subdivision, archaeological investigation is not possible at present, but it is believed that there are great numbers of artefacts and a large history to be unearthed at some future time. Where houses have been built, the site has been destroyed to the depth of the foundations but is otherwise intact.
Planning Implications: It is most strongly recommended that no alteration of Baby Point be permitted without full archaeological investigation preceding the alterations. The area should be designated as a Heritage Conservation District and be placed in the Official Plan as a Historic Precinct.
Reference Sources: Victor Konrad, Archaeological Survey 1950, Ministry of Culture; La Société d’histoire de Toronto, The Founding of Toronto and the Francophone Presence from 1720 to Date (1991); Joe C.W. Armstrong map collection.
Acknowledgements: La Société d’histoire de Toronto; Maps Project.