Military and commercial heritage site.
Details of Site Location: The CNE grounds near the foot of Dufferin Street adjacent to Scadding cabin, this site is marked by a monument.
Boundary History: The actual boundaries of the fort itself have been determined through archaeological investigation, but the entire site which includes other features has not been investigated. From research it is known that the fort was built on the original shoreline, and that north of it were outbuildings, a village and burial ground, so that the entire site is estimated to occupy from 15 to 20 acres from the original shoreline north to Saskatchewan Road (which covers part of the site).
Current Use of Property: Parkland with roads.
Historical Description: When trade outgrew Fort Toronto, planning for an even larger and more elaborate fort began in 1748/49. The site selected was no longer on the Humber but on the Lake Ontario shoreline for military reasons. With Pierre Robineau, Chevalier de Portneuf, still in charge, construction of Fort Rouille was carried out by workmen under the direction of contractor Joseph Dufaux. Of rough-sawn planks, the palisades were based upon a square plan with bastions at each corner – the classic French design at that time. The palisades enclosed five buildings: the store itself, a blacksmith’s shop, a bakery, and two buildings to house soldiers and their commandant. On the north side, were three, possibly four, more buildings for use as storage or barracks. The village is believed to have existed on the north side of the barracks, and the burial ground was directly north again. The numbers of burials of French inhabitants and their Indian allies is not known at present, but what is clear is that the British used this burial ground in 1813 for their own war dead. Most, if not all, of the British burials were moved to other locations afterwards, and the cemetery fell into history. If there ever were markers or records of the earlier period, these have not Been discovered as yet, although the search for them continues. In 1982-84 and as part of Toronto’s Sesquicentennial Celebrations, an archaeological dig was conducted on the fort alone. These added to investigations made in 1979-80 on the area along the northern edge of the fort. Both contributed greatly to understanding of the fort and its functions. Although 1759 ended the French Regime in a formal sense, it did not erase the French founding of the city, or the continuing French presence.
Relative Importance: As well as being the third of three French forts, and the largest of all, the site’s importance extends beyond that for the neglected burial ground is one of many burial areas within the CNE grounds, and certainly the earliest of these. It is the only site remaining from the French Regime which is marked in any significant way for the purpose of public education and benefit. But the monument gives little hint of the French presence or role in the founding of Toronto.
Planning Implications: Planning must fully protect the entire site and concrete p;ans for further archaeology must be prepared soon. The burial site merits serious investigation and special marking and enhancement. Public education programs should he drawn up to explain the fort and the French Regime in Toronto, and the role of the French in founding the city.
Reference Sources: Donald A. Brown, Fort Rouille Excavation, Summer 1982, and related documents and reports filed with the Ministry of Culture; Percy Robinson, Toronto During the French Regime; Joe C.W. Armstrong, map collection.
Acknowledgements: The Rousseau Project; La Societe d’histoire de Toronto,. Toronto Military Heritage Association.