Early 19th century waterfront industry.
Details of Site Location: Located on the harbour shoreline just to the east of the original foot of Yonge Street. Note that the shoreline of today has reached farther out into the harbour and is not at all the same as in Freeland’s time.
Boundary History: Bounded by the waters of Toronto Harbour on the south, east, and west sides, the factory was gradually built out over a wharf called Freeland’s Wharf in the days of the factory. Part of the factory resided on the shoreline on the north side.
Current Use of Property: Today, the site is occupied by the Toronto Star building in part, and by parking areas in part.
Historical Description: Peter and William Freeland were Scots who came to York in 1830 and began one of the 19th century’s earliest manufactories on this site. With a small piece of the actual shoreline, they built their factory out into the water on stone cribs, and the building they constructed on the platform or wharf created was extremely large: three storeys in height and 40′ x 90′. In later years, additions were made along the mainland. From their native Scotland they imported huge iron kettles and candle moulds from the U.S.A. Rendered tallow in barrels came from both Canadian and American sources. Palm oil came from Africa. The imported ingredients arrived on wooden sailing ships, which moored at the wharf. The two men began by making candles and branched out into soap- making. By the time Peter’s son, Robert, invented a soap making machine, Peter had taken over the business. The extension of properties out into the harbour led to some limits placed by authorities in the form of the Windmill Line. A succession of businesses followed the Freelands, and the wharf became known as the Yonge Street Wharf.
Relative Importance: The Freeland Works is important as a very early industry on the waterfront, and because the wharf took on even greater importance in the years that followed.
Planning Implications: No archaeology was done during the construction of the Toronto Star building or the construction of the Gardiner and other highways and streets that disturbed the site, so there is nothing that can be learned from this field of research. The Toronto Star might be encouraged to mount a special permanent exhibit about the first industry on the site.
References and Acknowledgements: F.B. Poole watercolour, 1912, Toronto Reference Library; Thomas Roy, Survey of York Harbour and Don River Mouth, 1833, Archives of Ontario; the Rousseau Project; Toronto Military Heritage Association.