The Chinese in Early 20th Century Toronto: 175 St. Patrick St. (1899) (now 567 Dundas St. W.)

In a July 1900 letter to Rev. Mackay noted in Valerie’s Mah’s Bachelor Society , 175 St. Patrick Street was an address associated with early Chinese immigrants to the city of Toronto. 175 St. Patrick Street was located at the intersection of what is now Dundas Street West and Kensington Road. In 1899, according to tax documents, eight people were residing in this brick residence, three of them children, suggesting it to be a residence for multiple people, possibly immigrants. It was owned by Robert Crates, but the main tenant was Robert McLelland.  It is possible that some of the other residents may have been Chinese since the location was relatively close to where old Chinatown used to be. In 1901 the ownership of the building changed hands. Robert McLelland became not only the tenant but the taxable owner as well of the building. The number of residents did not change. This building has since been torn down and is now part of a public housing complex only a block away from the heart of Chinatown at Spadina St. and Dundas St. W.

Works Cited

Assessment Roll: Ward 4 Division 1 1899, Toronto Archives.

Assessment Roll: Ward 4 Division 1 1900, Toronto Archives.

Assessment Roll: Ward 4 Division 1 1901 Toronto Archives.

Goads Fire Insurance Plan: Central Toronto (1899); Toronto Archives Website

Goads Fire Insurance Plan: Central Toronto (1924); Toronto Archives Website