Toronto in 1868 - The Bank of Toronto

 

This was originally posted on my Instagram account on July 3rd, 2021.  

You can find me on Instagram @fiennesclinton

This early branch of the Bank of Toronto opened in 1863, at the northwest corner of Church & Wellington streets.  It survived for nearly a century but was demolished in 1961.  The Bank of Toronto merged with the Dominion Bank in 195 & became the Toronto Dominion Bank.

Excerpts from Octavius Thompson’s original text from “Toronto in the Camera” read as follows.

“This Bank commenced business under an Act of Incorporation, of the Canadian Parliament, in July, 1856. Its paid up capital was then only $100,000. This amount was increased from time to time, as fresh calls were made, but it was not until the year 1862 that the shares were fully paid up, and the capital augmented to its present amount of $800,000.

The Bank was founded by a number of persons engaged in the produce trade, and from small beginnings has gradually risen to its present position of influence and importance.

It was at first located on Church Street, occupying the building then just vacated by the City Bank of Montreal, which it occupied until the year 1863, when it removed into the present noble edifice, which was erected from designs by W. Kauffmann, Esq. We regret having been unable to obtain from the Architect any particulars respecting the building which might have been interesting to the public.

The first President, J. G. Chewett, Esq., and the first Cashier and second President, Angus Cameron, Esq., to whose united ability and energy the Bank is in no small degree indebted for its present proud position, died within a few months of each other: the former before the new building was completed, and the latter soon after.”