Sports and recreational facility.

Details of Site Location: Near the head of Beverley Street, just east of that street and south of College.

Boundary History: The track grounds occupied most of the width of Park Lot 13 and was bounded on the west by Spadina Avenue and Russell Creek, on the east by Taddle Creek and bush adjoining Queen’s Park.

Current Use of Property: Housing, some commercial buildings, a parking garage and parking lots, and the Toronto Board of Education at 255 College Street.

Historical Description: The Boulton family has enormous importance for Toronto’s history because of their roles with the Family Compact and because of the powerful public offices held by family members. William Henry Boulton, of the third generation of the family in the city and heir to The Grange, twice served as Toronto’s Mayor: 1845-47, and 1858. He was treasurer of the association that held races over a two-day period. The first organized races had been held at Runnymede. As a lawyer, Boulton was successful, and as a “gentleman” he held sway over a large amount of land upon which he developed a racetrack called, at first, the Toronto Race Course. It was also known as The Union Course and The Boulton Course. It was developed on lands that were part of the Grange estate within Park Lot 13 and was to the north of the house. It is estimated, from historic maps, to have been a half-mile track, as it filled the width of the Park Lot, and it was somewhat irregular in shape. Races were held on this track in 1841 and 1843. The track was used for approximately ten years. William ran into conflicts with the Baldwins, who owned the adjoining Park Lot, and with many other creditors, and put his affairs into the hands of trusts after one creditor had him arrested. He ended up keeping the old estate house, but the lands were sold off. In 1872, a housing subdivision, Cecil Street, and a cricket pitch occupied the site, and other building lots were laid out.

Relative Importance: At one time, all of the racetracks in the region were privately owned, and this one by an important political and social figure, who was instrumental in bringing about the organiz­ation that eventually put out of business all of the indep­end-ently owned tracks. This track played a role in the history of horseracing in Toronto.

Planning Implications: The future of 255 College Street is currently in doubt, but this would be the logical building for mounting a plaque. If this present building is sold, either for reuse or for redevelopment, the next owners should be invited to plaque the building commemorating both the St. Leger Course and the administrative building of the largest public school board, that of the former City of Toronto, and the Sesquicentennial Museum it now houses.

Reference Sources: Cane`s map, 1842; City of Toronto Archives; Toronto Reference Library.