Last updated on 2026-08-02

Hi. It’s been a really long time since I updated.

I am currently working on understanding the timeline of water and wastewater in Toronto, Ontario. There is a lot of really excellent scholarship on this topic, but the particular thing I am trying to resolve is the terminology used in primary sources.

I plan on using this post to document assumptions I am making about how names for things have changed over time, with references to the primary sources that inform those assumptions. A quick example is Main Pumping Station. That could refer to The Toronto Water Works pumping station that is now called John Street or it can refer to “M” building at Ashbridges Bay. Very different things!

To be clear: I have no authoritative knowledge on the topic. Where my working experience or anecdotes people have shared are involved I will try to be specific. Otherwise it’s just how I am interpreting primary sources.

I will be including copies of the primary resources when available, but include a link to the source. The reason for mirroring the file is to ensure it is available to refer to even if the reference link changes. I will only do this where the copyright permissions allow it.

Goad’s Atlas is widely available on the Toronto Public Library Digital Archive and Library and Archives Canada so I see not value in mirroring these files. I will reference date and plate number where applicable.

Another note is I am publishing this as the work continues. It will change over time and at any point should be considered incomplete and the quality of information poor. Please use it as a piece of the puzzle and not a listing of facts.

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St. Andrews Yard

This is likely a reference to a “yard” or storage space in the block currently bordered by Richmond Street West, Brant Street, Adelaide Street and Maud Street.

It appears in Toronto Archive files in Fonds 200 > Series 372 > Subseries 72> which is the Toronto Water Works Photograph collection.

The image above is Fonds 200 > Series 372 > Subseries 72> Item 490. The building is visually consistent with St. Andrews Market and the use is consistent with the future Water Works Building in 1932.

Goad’s Atlas inclusions

This is inconclusive. “City yards” is not helpful.

Year	Inclusion
1884	No
1890	No
1893	No
1899	No
1903	No
1910	Plate 18 “City Yard”
1912	Plate 18 “City Yard”
1923	Plate 18 “City Yard”

Toronto Fire Insurance Plans

These are accessed Via the U of T Map and Data Library but I don’t have the bibliographic data and can’t be bothered to look for it at the moment.

This is the highest quality evidence that the “St. Andrews Yard” used in the Toronto Archives refers to this location.

Year	Inclusion
1880	No
1889	No
1892	No
1909	Yes, shows “Toronto Water Works Dept. Stores ETC.” in the market building on Sheet 22 as well as the “City Yard” on Sheet 23.
1918	Yes, shows “Toronto Water Works Dept. Stores ETC.” in the market building on Sheet 22 as well as the “City Yard” on Sheet 23.

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