Clarence Square is a small park in downtown

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, Canada, where Wellington Street West meets

Spadina Avenue Spadina Avenue (, less commonly ) is one of the most prominent streets in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Running through the western section of downtown, the road has a very different character in different neighbourhoods. Spadina Avenue runs south ...

. It is a relatively quiet and shady park, with many large trees and a spacious grassy terrain. There are several benches and picnic tables scattered throughout and a drinking fountain in the centre. The origins of the name of the square are unclear, but both are linked to members of the British Royal Family, Prince William Henry or Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence with the former being the likely name as the name appeared on maps in the 1850s. In the northwest corner of the park is a historical plaque honouring Alexander Dunn, born near the park, who was the first Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross. In 1854, he was a participant in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, saving the lives of two fellow soldiers.

Hugh John Macdonald Sir Hugh John Macdonald, (March 13, 1850 – March 29, 1929) was the only surviving son of the first prime minister of Canada, John A. Macdonald. He too was a politician, serving as a member of the House of Commons of Canada and a federal cabi ...

, son of Prime Minister Sir

John Alexander Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald (10 or 11January 18156June 1891) was the first prime minister of Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and from 1878 until his death in 1891. He was the dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, and had a political ...

also lived in the area (#304). Clarence Square row houses

Clarence Square is one of the oldest remaining park spaces in the downtown core of Toronto. The park became a largely neglected space however when the rail yards and industrial warehouses inhabited areas adjacent to the park. Today, however, industry has left the neighbourhood and the area is primarily residential and commercial. Historic buildings along Clarence Square include: * Clarence Terrace (5-15 and 6-16 Clarence Square) built in 1879-1890 * Steele Briggs Seed Company warehouse or Clarence Square Building (originally as 2 Clarence Square now as 49 Spadina Avenue) 5-storey warehouse and office built in 1911-13

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*
City of Toronto – King-Spadina Urban Design Guidelines
{{Parks and squares in Toronto Parks in Toronto Squares in Toronto

See also

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