Historic Fort York

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This historic site is where present-day Toronto began. Lt-Governor John Graves Simcoe founded the fort in 1793 to protect the town of York, as Toronto was then known (the town was incorporated the same year). The fort only saw real military action once, at the Battle of York in 1813. It was sacked by the Americans, but rebuilt shortly thereafter (and the English went on to win the larger war, thus ensuring the future of the Canadian nation). In the 20th century, many of the forts' vintage buildings were destroyed to make way for the Gardiner Expressway, but a few gems survived. The museum offers guided tours and historical re-enactments, and performances of period music and dance.