St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church (demolished 1891), designed by architect F.X. Rochleau (dies 1812), is built of stone on the corner of Bagot and William Streets.

In 1808, Rochleau builds at 70-72 Princess Street - likely the earliest stone building still surviving in Kingston. The arrow points to the datestone: FXR 1808.

Photos by Jennifer McKendry©

The War of 1812 establishes Kingston as a major military centre.

George Okill Stuart (1776-1862) is the minister at St George’s Church from 1812 to 1862 (the year it becomes a cathedral).

Fort Henry is built on Point Henry in defence of the naval dockyard at Point Frederick. See the entry for 1832.

After the war, direct British immigration increases the area’s population and gives rise to the need for more buildings.

Gardiner House is built in brick – an unusual use of this material at this early a date. When first built, it is a farmhouse on a bay-shore of Lake Ontario; Portsmouth Village grows up around it. It still stands at 9 Kennedy St but the bay has been extensively filled-in.

Photo: J. McKendry ©

The Stone Frigate is built to store naval supplies at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is built of stone by Archibald Fraser on Princess Street at Clergy, burns in 1888 and is replaced by the present building (architects Power & Son).

There is an ever-increasing general trend to building in stone. The dominant style is Classical Revival.

The cornerstone of the present St George's Anglican Cathedral is laid on King St E. at Johnson St. This is the first known architectural commission for Thomas Rogers (1778/82-1853). His design is altered c1840 when the front of the church is rebuilt and a new bell tower installed by architect William Coverdale (1801-65); this work is in turn altered by an enlargement of the structure in 1891 by Power & Son. See also entries for 1785 and 1792.

 Photo of present appearance by J. McKendry©

The Gildersleeve House, one of an important group of stone neoclassical houses, is built about 1830 on the corner of King St East and Johnson St. Other houses include Charles Place (c1830) at 75 Lower Union St, and the Cartwright House (1833) at 191 King St E.

 Photo: J. McKendry©

1831

 Population 3,587.

Robert Drummond (dies 1834) and James Morton (1808-64) run a brewery, known as “Morton’s Distillery” as late as 1900. The stone brewery and distillery (owned by the City) is in use today for a variety of functions, and is known as the J.K. Tett Creativity Complex at 370 King St West.

English-born architect Edward Horsey (1809-69) arrives in Kingston His commissions include the Frontenac County Court House of 1855, with which he is assisted by his son Henry Horsey (1830-1911). Edward Horsey is the Penitentiary Architect 1846-69.

1832

 The Rideau Canal from Kingston to Bytown (now Ottawa) is completed. Experienced stone masons are engaged in building projects in the area.

The construction in stone of a new Fort Henry, on the same site as the fort of 1813, begins following ten years of planning by two Ordnance Board commissions and four years of preparation by Royal Engineers.

Alwington House (burnt 1958) is completed as the residence for Baron Longueuil on the eastern outskirts of Portsmouth Village; it is altered by architect George Browne to act as Government House, the vice-regal residence of the Governor General from 1841 to 1844.

1833

 Kingston Penitentiary (“KP”) is established as the Provincial Penitentiary; it receives its first inmates in 1835 and thus becomes Canada’s oldest reform penitentiary. It is a steady source of employment for the inhabitants of Portsmouth Village, which grows around it. KP is still in use today as a federal maximum security institution. See entries for 1845 and 1846.

English-born architect William Coverdale (1801-65) arrives in Kingston from south of Montreal to work at the Provincial Penitentiary from 1834 to 1846. He is City Architect from 1846 to 1865.

Aerial view of the Provincial Penitentiary, Kingston, 1919. National Archives of Canada PA30472

1835

John A. Macdonald (1815-91) opens his law practice in Kingston at 171 Wellington Street, and is admitted to the Bar of Upper Canada the following year. During these years, he lives at 110-112 Rideau Street.

Sir Richard Cartwright (1835-1912), the grandson of the Hon. Richard Cartwright (1759-1815, one of Kingston's first residents), is born in the Cartwright House (191 King St E.) of 1833; he becomes Minister of Trade and Commerce, 1873-78.

The stone Kingston General Hospital is completed but not opened due to a lack of funds. It is converted into a legislative building when Kingston becomes the capital of the united province of Canada East and Canada West, 1841-44. Extensively enlarged, it is still in use today. 

1836

 Construction begins on Summerhill, the impressive Palladian villa of Archdeacon George Okill Stuart (1776-1862), son of the Rev. John Stuart (1740-1811); it becomes the first permanent building of Queen's University in 1853.

Photo of south-west portico (restored) on centre pavilion by J. McKendry© 

1837

 Queen Victoria (born 1819) comes to the throne and rules until her death in 1901.

Rebellion breaks out first in Lower Canada and then in Upper Canada.

Regiopolis College is founded and its building cornerstone laid by Bishop Alexander Macdonell (1762-1840) in 1839. The college, a training school for priests and located at 123 Sydenham Street (see also entry for 1892), is closed in 1869. 

1837-38

 During the Rebellions the local militia is concentrated in Kingston to replace the British regular troops who are sent to Lower Canada.

Lt Col Sir Richard Bonnycastle (1791-1847), Royal Engineers, is in charge of the completion of Fort Henry when the Rebellions break out; he organizes the local militia and prepares the defences of Kingston against a rebel attack. 

1838

 Kingston becomes a town with Thomas Kirkpatrick (1805-70) as first mayor. 

1840

 Act of Union creates the United Province of Canada uniting Upper and Lower Canada.

The first Board of Trustees of Queen’s College (granted a Royal Charter in 1841 and now known as Queen’s University) meets in St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.  

1841

Kingston becomes the first capital of the new province, which unites Canada East (now Quebec) and Canada West (now Ontario), until early 1844.

Governor General, Lord Sydenham (1799-1841), moves into Government House (Alwington House, see entry for 1832), but dies before the end of the year and is buried in a vault under St George’s Church.

The first parliament meets in the vacant hospital (see entry for 1835); some of the members are housed in Summerhill (see entry for 1836).

Irish-born architect George Browne (1811-85) arrives in Kingston as government architect and leaves when the capital moves to Montreal early in 1844. Among his commissions are Rockwood Villa, the City Hall, and St Andrew’s Manse. This is a period of intense building activity.  Photo of St Andrew's Manse of 1841 by J. McKendry©

Queen’s College is established by Royal Charter.

Roselawn, a country villa, is built (attributed to George Browne); it later becomes the home of Sir Henry Smith, Solicitor General of Upper Canada and Speaker of the House (1851-68), and in 1974 the Donald Gordon Centre, a conference centre for Queen's University. New structures are incorporated onto the courtyard in 1997; Griffiths Rankin Cook Architects. 

1842

 Sir Charles Bagot (1781-1843) is appointed Governor General and moves into Government House (Alwington House, see entries for 1832 and 1841), where he dies the following year.

Queen’s College opens for classes at 67 Colborne Street.

above    Rockwood Villa is built (architect George Browne) for Sarah and John Cartwright (1804-45) west of Portsmouth Village; in 1856 the estate is sold for the site of an insane asylum (see entry for 1859).        Photo by J. McKendry©                       

Hazeldell, a country villa, is built in Portsmouth Village. From 1860 to 1865 it was John A. Macdonald's legal residence and the home of his mother, who died there, and his sisters, Louisa and Margaret, and Margaret's husband, Professor James Williamson.

For Bellevue House, please see 1848 entry. 

1843

Architect George Browne (1811-85) designs City Hall, completed in 1844. By the time it is occupied, Kingston has lost its status as the capital of the United Canadas. The Shambles, an extensive market wing, burns in 1865, and is replaced by the present truncated version by William Coverdale.

Photos by J. McKendry©

Sir Charles Metcalfe (1785-1846) arrives as Governor General.

The cornerstone of St Mark’s Anglican Church, Barriefield, is laid (architect Alfred Brunel, 1818-87); the Gothic Revival church opens in 1844.

The Commissariat Stores on Point Henry are completed, joining the Advanced Battery, built 1836, to Fort Henry.

The cornerstone of St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral is laid; the building is completed in 1848, and greatly enlarged in 1889 by architect Joseph Connolly (1840-1904). Photo of nave buttresses by J. McKendry© See entry for 1889 for more pictures. 

1844

 The government of the United Province of Canada leaves Kingston for Montreal; architect George Browne leaves as well and William Coverdale completes City Hall. 

1845

 Datestone of 1845 on the north stone gate and walls erected to protect the Provincial Penitentiary; architect, William Coverdale. Planned as early as 1840, the gate – modelled on a Roman triumphant arch – still dominates this part of King St West. 

1846

 Kingston is incorporated as a city; John Counter (1799-1862) is first mayor.

The Oregon crisis spurs a military response in Kingston: four Martello towers (including the Murney Tower, see entry for 1925), the Market Battery in front of City Hall, and two ditch towers completing the defences of Fort Henry are built 1846-48.

Edward Horsey (1809-69) designs and builds Elizabeth Cottage in Gothic Revival style as his home and office; it is converted to a double house in 1883 by architect William Newlands (1854-1926). It is now a retirement home for women. Photo J. McKendry©

The penitentiary dining-hall has exposed cast-iron columns on the interior; architect Edward Horsey.

English-born architect John Power (1816-82) immigrates to Kingston, and designs such buildings as St George’s Hall and the Registry Office. He is City Architect from 1866 to 1882. In 1873 he forms a partnership, Power & Son, with his son Joseph Power (1848-1925). 

1847-48

 A wave of immigrants, fleeing from the Irish famine, arrives in Kingston en route to other destinations. More than 1,400 die of typhus and are buried in a common grave near the Kingston General Hospital.  

1848

John A. and Isabella Macdonald move for  short time into Bellevue House (now a National Historic Site at 35 Centre Street), an “Italian Villa,” attributed to George Browne, c 1842.

Photo: J. McKendry© 

1850

 Gibbs’s detailed map of Kingston is published.

Cataraqui Cemetery, a non-denominational garden cemetery, is incorporated. One of the earliest surviving cemetery gate-lodges in the province is built by architect James Stewart (1821-1902). 

1850s

 Brick begins to displace stone as a popular building material in Kingston. Limited use of iron as a structural material appears.

Gothic Revival style makes an appearance. 

1853

 The Kingston County Grammar School (formerly the Midland District Grammar School) moves into new quarters (now Sydenham Public School); it becomes the Kingston High School in 1871.

Hillcroft, a villa designed by William Coverdale, is built for Francis Hill (1809-54), mayor of Kingston, at 26 Hillcroft Drive; later it becomes the home of Sir Alexander Campbell, a political associate of Sir John A. Macdonald.

Irons Hotel (now the Hotel Frontenac) with four full storeys may be the tallest building in Kingston; architect John Power. 

1855

 John Meagher (1816-78), head of the family that founded Meagher's Distillery Limited of Montreal, one of Canada’s largest producers of liqueurs, builds a stone residence at 85 Barrack Street. 

1856

 The Custom House and Post Office are designed and completed three years later by Hopkins, Lawford & Nelson.

Kingston is connected to Toronto and Montreal by the Grand Trunk Railway.

The Crystal Palace (demolished) is built on Palace Road south of Bath Road as the first permanent hall in Canada for the annual display of manufactured and agricultural goods. The architect is Henry Horsey (1830-1911). 

1857

 John A. Macdonald becomes Premier of the Province of Canada; that same year his wife, Isabella, dies. 

1858

 The Village of Portsmouth is incorporated; a town hall is built in 1865; architect William Coverdale. In 1952 the City of Kingston annexes Portsmouth.

above: The Classical Revival stone Frontenac County Court House (architect Edward Horsey) is opened, complete with jail (demolished 1973-74 along with the perimeter walls) and jailer’s house.      Photo by J. McKendry© 

1859

 The Wolfe Island Township Hall is erected; architect Edward Horsey.

Rockwood Lunatic Asylum is built 1859-70 (architect William Coverdale) on the western outskirts of Portsmouth Village. Built according to the Kirkbride “linear plan,” it is a state-of-the-art hospital. It is the forerunner of the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, built in 1959 and taken over by PCCC Mental Health Services in 2001. The future of the old stone asylum, closed since 1997 as a residence for persons with mental disabilities, is uncertain. See also entry for 2002.

Photo of a portion of the south-west facade, by J. McKendry© 

1862

 The stone Orphans’ Home is opened by the Widows' Friend Society on the corner of University Avenue and Union Street, attributed to William Coverdale. In 1927, it was acquired by Queen's to become part of the Students’ Memorial Union (burnt 1947).

St George’s becomes a cathedral in 1862. (See entries for 1825 and 1899.) 

1867

The Dominion of Canada is formed on 1 July; John A. Macdonald is appointed Prime Minister. 

1870

 The last British troops to be garrisoned in Kingston are withdrawn. 

1871

 The Kingston and Pembroke Railway is incorporated and construction begins in 1872. 

1872

The Market Battery is demolished (see 1846 entry); and on the site a park is built in 1876. In 1885 with the building of the Kingston and Pembroke Railway station, it becomes Kingston's “Inner Station” until 1961. In 1967 the area is redesigned and renamed Confederation Park.

The Kingston High School is renamed the Kingston Collegiate Institute.

Macnee & Minnes dry goods store (rebuilt after a fire in 1990 for a drug store by architect Ernest A. Cromarty) at Bagot and Princess Streets may be the first use of the Corinthian Order as a major exterior element in Kingston; architect John Power.

Tradecut from letterhead dated 1893, priv. coll. © 

1873

 Alexander Mackenzie (1822-92), a member of the Liberal party, becomes Canada’s Prime Minister until 1878. During this time Kingston benefits by the establishment of the Royal Military College; architect Robert Gage (1841-post1916). Mackenzie worked as a stone mason in Kingston in the 1840s.

The architectural firm of Power & Son is formed (see also the entry for 1846).

1879

 Still in use today, the Grand Theatre is opened on Princess Street as Kingston’s Opera House. It is undergoing a renovation in 2006-07

Population 14,091.

William Newlands (1853-1926), a native of Kingston, begins his career as an architect.

The Cotton Mill commences manufacturing cotton textiles on Cataraqui Street. In 1931, it is converted for processing wool, and closes in 1966. See entry for 1996.

The new Theology Building, 1879 by Gordon & Helliwell, is only the second purpose-built school building at Queen’s University. 

1888

 Electricity is introduced in Kingston. St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (architect, Joseph Power) will be one of the first new buildings to benefit from electricity. 

1889

St Mary’s (Roman Catholic) Cathedral of 1843 is greatly enlarged by    architect Joseph Connolly (1840-1904) in Gothic Revival style.

Photos by J. McKendry© 

1890

 Sir John A. Macdonald lays the cornerstone for the Kingston Dry Dock, a federal repair facility. It is leased in 1910 by the Kingston Shipbuilding Company, which builds ships until 1968. Today it is part of the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes complex on Ontario Street.

The city builds a pumping station, designed in brick by Joseph Power in Romanesque Revival and – despite of a threat to demolish it in 1960 - open today as a tourist site. 

1891

 Sir John A. Macdonald is buried in Cataraqui Cemetery. The Kingston Historical Society commemorates this each 6 June at the grave site.

Population 19,263. 

1892

 The Religious Hospitallers of St Joseph, who came to Kingston in 1847 to care for the sick and orphaned immigrants, open the Hotel Dieu hospital in the original Regiopolis College building (see entry for 1837).

Sir George Airey Kirkpatrick (1841-99), son of the first mayor of Kingston (see 1838), is appointed lieutenant governor of Ontario. In 1903 a fountain is dedicated to him in front of the Frontenac County Court House.

Church of the Good Thief is built in stone Romanesque Revival by architect Joseph Connolly in Portsmouth Village (now part of Kingston). 

1893

 The Kingston Historical Society is founded during an era of interest in historic matters. Still active today, their website is www.kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca (off site link)

1899

 After a devastating fire on 1 January, St George’s Anglican Cathedral is rebuilt by Power & Son, architects (Joseph Power, 1848-1925). 

1901

 Death of Queen Victoria who has reigned since 1837. Her son Edward (born 1841) reigns until his death in 1910.

Population 17,961.

Queen’s College expands with the addition of two large stone buildings by architects Symons & Rae – Grant Hall and Ontario Hall. 

1904

 A stone nurses’ residence (architect William Newlands) with Ionic columns opens at the Kingston General Hospital, where nurses’ training had been conducted since 1886. Later the building is named the Ann Baillie Building and today is a health museum. 

1908

 The Story of Old Kingston by Agnes Maule Machar is published.

Population 19,000. 

1910

 Beth Israel Synagogue is built at 148 Queen Street, and is replaced by a new synagogue on Centre Street in 1961. 

1914-18

 Kingstonians strongly support the war effort at home and abroad during the First World War. 

1917

 LaSalle Causeway is opened in connection with the planned construction of the Welland Ship Canal and to make Kingston the terminus of the Great Lakes. 

1920s

 A time of economic prosperity. 

1921

 Population 24,000. 

1923

 The Royal Military College of Canada Memorial Arch is erected in the form of a Roman triumphal arch by architect John M. Lyle (1872-1945). 

1924

The Etherington family builds a new home on University Avenue in the Beaux Arts style. Today, it is the heart of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre. See also entry for 1957.

Photo showing 1924 house by J. McKendry© 

1925

 The Kingston Historical Society opens the Murney Tower (built 1846) as a museum in early August. This function continues today. 

1929

 The Great Depression begins; life in Kingston is greatly affected during the 1930s, including a near riot at City Hall by the city’s unemployed in May 1933.

Kingston opens an airport on 4 June. 

1930

 A grain elevator (demolished) is constructed at Little Cataraqui Bay.

The federal Prison for Women (“P4W”) is constructed in stone and the first female inmates are admitted in 1934; scandal disturbs the prison in 1994, and it is closed in 2000. Plans are under consideration in 2008 to adapt it for use by Queen's University - perhaps as an archives. Photo J.McKendry©

1931

1935

1936

 The restoration of Fort Henry begins under the direction of Ronald Way. Two years later, it opens as a military museum and tourist site. 

1938

 The Thousand Islands Bridge to the USA is opened by President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King. 

1939

 Canada declares war on Germany on September 10; Kingstonians support the war effort at home and abroad during the Second World War (1939-1945).

The Alcan plant is under construction to produce rolled aluminium products. Plans for a 200-acre industrial development by Alcan-Canada Ltd, Kingston Works are unveiled in June 1972. The plant is expanded in September 2000. On 1 January 2005, the name Alcan is changed to Novelis.

1941

Population 30,126. 

1942

 Du Pont (then known as Canadian Industries Ltd) begins operations in Kingston to manufacture nylon.

War-time housing is constructed to accommodate works in war-related industries. Post-war housing is also needed for returning soldiers. 

1944

 Discussions begin that will lead to the incorporation of the Grenville Park Co-operative Housing Association on 3 July 1946. Residences in a modern cubism style are soon under construction.

Photo, priv. coll. © 

1950s

 A time of economic prosperity, the growth of industry and the development of subdivisions such as Polson Park in 1956. The move to the suburbs continues with Calvin Park in 1962. 

In this decade, a number of large military buildings, in a modern "stripped down" classical style, are built on the Canadian Forces Base Kingston.

1950

 Kingston's war monument takes the form of the Kingston Community Memorial Centre, erected in the fair grounds in 1950 to the design of Drever & Smith. Its fate is under debate today. 

1952

 The Kingston Historical Society (see also 1893) begins its annual publication of Historic Kingston. contents of Historic Kingston please use "back" on top tool bar to return

Sentiments are expressed over the fate of the “Simcoe House,” a small frame house then thought to have been a meeting place for Governor Simcoe in 1792. It is dismantled, stored and eventually re-erected at Upper Canada Village.

Kingston annexes over 5,500 acres in Kingston Township, including Portsmouth Village (see also entry for 1858). 

1953

 The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II takes place.

The Celanese Canada plant for manufacturing polyester is built at Millhaven west of Kingston. 

1954

 Construction of Highway 401 in the Kingston vicinity is underway. 

1956

 Population 62,379 in the Kingston area.

Polson Park subdivision. Polson Park Public School is built in 1959.