King Street Gaol (1798)

Built in 1798, the Town of York's (now Toronto, Ontario) first jail was a log structure with 10 cells and a hanging yard. It was located on the south-east corner of King Street and Yonge Street, where the King Edward Hotel stands today. Commonly known as the "Old Log Gaol", it was replaced by a brick jail in 1827.[1]

The first person to be executed at the jail was John Sullivan on October 11, 1798. A tailor by trade, Sullivan was convicted of stealing a forged note worth about one dollar.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Jails - Toronto Archives
  2. ^ Bruce Bell History Project (See "History Project" on menu)