House of Industry

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

This symmetrical building, here on the southwest corner of Elm and Elizabeth streets, has a 1988 Toronto Historical Board plaque on site which gives us this information:

Plaque coordinates: 43.656804 -79.386150

A building for Toronto's historic House of Industry was erected on this site in 1848. Designed by William Thomas, it was later enlarged by architects Joseph Sheard (1858) and E.J. Lennox (1898). This charitable institution had been founded in 1837 to provide permanent and temporary lodging as well as food and fuel to the needy in the community, who often were required to do chores in return for help. To meet changing times, in 1947 the building was made into a home for the elderly renamed Laughlen Lodge after Arthur and Frances Laughlen long-time Superintendents. When new senior citizens' housing was constructed 1975-83, in association with the Rotary Club of Toronto, this north section of the old House of Industry was preserved as part of the Rotary-Laughlen Centre.

Related Toronto plaques
House of Providence
Joseph Sheard Parkette

Related Ontario plaque
Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge

More
Institutional Buildings

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

Posted April 20, 2013
Too bad about the missing plaque. For the last two years every Monday night I walked by the building wondering about its history and never getting around to looking up the address. It was just by chance that I was sent info about a Jane's Walk today and got to this site through a few links. Though I generally like to discover historical plaques on my own, I think I will start using your site. Would you like people to notify you about the removal of plaques that you have already documented? [Editor's Response: Yes please, via email.]
Regardless, Thanks- Michelle

Posted September 24, 2012
I have been looking for information about my grandfather, who left my grandmother in Liverpool and emigrated to Canada in 1923. I have just today finally received a copy of his death certificate, and it seems he died in 1960 in Laughlin Lodge. Can anybody tell me if any archives have been kept and if so, where can I access them. Our family so desperately want to know more about him and his life in Canada. If you have any info about life at the lodge at that time, or any archival info, please contact me at emp8096@hotmail.com
Many thanks, Eunice

Posted December 27, 2011
Studying the House of Industry in Toronto and I would love to interview anyone who had relative that stayed in the House of Industry please contact me andrea.regan@rci.rogers.com

Posted March 30, 2011
I remember looking down at this building from the window of the 5th floor at Sick Kids. I went to see it today and they have taken the plaque down. That's a shame, I hope they put the plaque back up after the renovations are completed.

Posted March 23, 2011
my family,,,,,,Sara and George Gillespie lived here in 1851...after the potato famine

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