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Toronto's
First Post Office
260 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5A 1N1
Phone: (416) 865 1833
Toronto's First Post Office is part of historic block of
buildings, which includes Bank of Upper Canada. It is the
only surviving example of post office, operating as
department of British postal service, prior to the
establishment of Canadian postal service in 1851.
Originally opened in 1833, it served as the 4th post
office in the Town of York and after incorporation of City
of Toronto, on March 6, 1834, Toronto's First Post Office.
As the only post office in the provincial capital, it was
important center of communication and commerce, serving
population of about 9000.
The building was also the residence of James Scott Howard,
who had been Postmaster of York, since 1828. One week
after the rebellion of 1837, he was dismissed without
formal charges. Despite eloquent pleas for reinstatement,
he failed to regain his position. He was succeeded by
Charles Albert Berczy, who later founded Consumers Gas
Company.
Since 1839, the building at "Duke and George"
have been put to many uses: As private residence, Catholic
boys' school, annex to Christie's biscuit factory,
recruitment and records center for Royal Air Force during
World War I, farmers' co-operative organization, butter
factory and egg storage facility.
Recent period of decline and abandonment culminated in
fire in 1987. Threatened by demolition, the block was
bought by private investors and rehabilitated. Careful
research uncovered the story of James Scott Howard and his
post office. Original bills and letters gave guidance in
the restoration.
A commemorative postage stamp featuring First Post Office
was issued by Canada Post in 1987.
Toronto's First Post Office is administrated by Town of
York Historical Society.
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