Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Jean-Baptiste Rousseaux 1758-1812

Photos and plaque text by contributor Wayne Adam - January 2007

Finding this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque is an adventure in itself! Here's how to locate it as sent to me by contributor Wayne Adam who photographed the plaque (below) for me. "From the Gardiner Exwy. or The Queensway, go north on the South Kingsway. Immediately to the west (left) you'll see a gas station. Just before the gas station, south of it, is a driveway into a small lot. Enter there and look for a driveable pathway on the far side of the lot, to the left. Follow that downhill toward the river. (A boat launch is, I believe, at the end.) Before the river, look left and you'll see a walking pathway (unpaved). Walk south on it about 25 paces, and look to the west (right). You should see the plaque there. A small side-path leads to it. If you reach a paved walking/biking trail that leads under The Queensway, you've gone too far. In summer, the plaque is obstructed from the walking path by foliage, and the side-path off of it is easily missed." By the way, what appears to be snow on the plaque is actually peeling paint! Here's the text of the plaque, courtesy of Wayne Adam:

Rousseaux was the first European to settle in the Toronto area. He and his father were interpreters for the Indian Department and were licensed to trade in this region. In 1787 Jean-Baptiste married Margaret Clyne, a ward of Mohawk chief Joseph Brant, and by 1791 he had built a trading post here at the Toronto Carrying Place. When Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe arrived by schooner to establish the provincial capital of York in 1793, Rousseaux piloted him into harbour. He served Simcoe's government as an interpreter thereafter. Intent on expanding his business activities, Rousseaux moved to Ancaster in 1795, where he prospered as a merchant and landowner. He fell ill and died while serving at Fort George during the War of 1812.

Related Toronto plaque page
The Toronto Carrying Place

Related Ontario plaque page
The Founding of Ancaster

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.635384 -79.475452

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Posted May 1, 2008
Hunting for plaques is a fun hobby on any day, but finding hidden ones like this is a treasure hunt. If you don't have a lot of time, it can be frustrating when trying to visit as many sites as possible. But if you're up for an urban adventure, this is a gem.
By the way, Alan Brown took the top photo; I took the close-up.
Wayne

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