Details of Site Location: 29 Frederick Street on the east side.
Current Use of Property: Hydro’s Esplanade Transformer Station; only the rear of this property covers the site, as the front is at 106 Lower Sherbourne Street.
Historical Description: It was C.S. Clark, writing in 1898, who described the shoeless street urchins selling newspapers downtown. There were many orphans or children other-wise abandoned to fend for themselves; the more enterprising among them were involved in selling papers – even out-of-date papers. These were the street people of their time. Among the many benevolent citizens of the period was George W. Allan. As shown in the 1870 Assessment Rolls, the Newsboys’ Home was owned by Allan and set up on his land. It was a two-storey brick house, 44′ x 32′, and was valued at $4,908. The number of “persons” recorded as residents that year was eleven. By 1871, the owner was registered as News Boys Lodgings, and the number of “persons” had risen to seventeen. The 1875 city directory lists Hon. George Allan as chairman of that body, and a Mrs. Caitley as matron. In 1883, the name was changed again to Newsboys Lodging and Industrial Home, and its street number was 43 Frederick. Allan was still the chairman, and a Mrs. Chapman was matron. The change in name implies a change in focus from mere lodging and care to a training program. This was the pattern for a number of early institutions.
Relative Importance: This is an excellent example of the charitable institutions that played an important role in Toronto in the 19th century. Often, distinguished individuals such as Allan were involved in their development.
Reference Sources: Assessment Rolls 1870, 1871; City Directories 1875, 1883; C.S. Clark, Of Toronto the Good (1898).
Acknowledgements: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse.