The buildings and structures you see at Exhibition Place today reflect the growth and development of the grounds from rather humble origins in 1879 into an exciting venue playing host to numerous trade and consumer shows each year, including the Canadian National Exhibition.
Early Trade Connection
While the Toronto Industrial Exhibition (renamed the CNE in 1912) was founded in 1879, it can be argued that the grounds have been a hub of trade activity since 1750 with the construction of Fort Rouille. The fort was built by the French as a means of enticing natives to trade with them instead of with the English. Indeed, Fort Rouille proved to be a successful trading post and in 1757, 150 bales of furs were traded there. In the same year, only 20 to 30 bales were traded through the English fort at Kingston. In 1759, the French destroyed Fort Rouille to keep it from falling into the hands of invading English troops. A cement outline of the Fort walls remains to give visitors an idea as to the original size and shape of the structure (south west of the Bandshell Stage).
The Crystal Palace, 1879-1906
The main exhibit hall of the newly founded exhibition was the Crystal Palace (located approximately where the Horticulture Building is today). After attending a preview of the first CNE, a reporter for the Globe newspaper stated that: The ground floor of the Crystal Palace will be devoted to musical instruments, gas fittings, saddlery, hardware, chinaware, billiard tables, etc. In the fountain in the centre will be a large exhibit of fish. On the first floor at the east-end will be shown the exhibits of tweeds and other woollen goods, sent by about eighteen different mills and factories. The upper gallery will be devoted largely to exhibits of interest to the fair sex. Ladies' work in all its varieties will be shown at the east-end, and on the west will be sewing, knitting, and other machines of a like nature. The north recess will be occupied by a large and fine-toned organ. The south recess will be devoted to a varied assortment of canaries and other feathered pets. The Art Gallery, which opens off the ground floor of the main building, is under the supervision of the Ontario Society of Artists, whose committees are now at work hanging the pictures and arranging the exhibits of photographs. On Thanksgiving Day of 1906, the Crystal Palace burned to the ground.
Early exhibition buildings, 1905-1912
At the turn of the twentieth century, architect George W. Gouinlock was given the task of redesigning the west-end of the exhibition grounds. The goal was to provide new exhibit halls worthy of a national exposition. Although Gouinlock designed and constructed fifteen buildings for Exhibition Place, only five remain today: the Press Building (1905), the Horticulture Building (1907), the Music Building (1907), the Government Building, now home to Medieval Times (1912), and the Fire Hall/Police Station (1912). A plaque dedicated to Gouinlock's work can be found in front of the Press Building.
The 1920s and 1930s
By the mid-1920s, the popularity of the CNE had grown to the point where additional land and buildings were needed. Alfred Chapman was commissioned to develop a fifty-year plan for the east-end of the grounds that included the construction of sweeping vistas and grand exhibit halls. Although his plan was never fully implemented, Chapman was responsible for the design of the Ontario Government Building (1927 and now home to Liberty Grand), the Princes' Gates (1927) and the Electrical and Engineering Building (1928, demolished in 1972). Various other architects also had a hand in developing the east end of the grounds during this time period, resulting in the construction of the Automotive Building (1929), the Coliseum Arena (1922) and the Horse Palace (1931).
With the construction of the Coliseum in 1922, Exhibition Place also became home to the ever-popular Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
The 1950s to the 1980s
In post World War II Canada, the economy boomed, manufacturing increased and consumer spending was on the rise. And the pre-eminent venue for bringing manufacturers and consumers together was the CNE. New and modern buildings, designed with an emphasis on clean lines and open, functional spaces, became the hallmark of the post-war CNE. The first building constructed in this style was the Food Building (1954), followed by the Queen Elizabeth Building (1957), the Dufferin Gate (1959), the Better Living Centre (1962) and Exhibition Stadium (1975).
It was during this era when the buildings of Exhibition Place increasingly came to be used year-round for trade and consumer shows, such as the International Trade Fair, The Boat Show, the Sportsman Show, and the Home Show. Exhibition Place also became home to the Indy, Caribana and the CHIN Picnic.
Direct Energy Centre
Built in 1997, the Direct Energy Centre is the showpiece of Exhibition Place. It is the largest convention and exhibition centre in Canada and the sixth largest in North America, offering over one million square feet of exhibit space.
The planning phase at Exhibition Place has been a long one, starting in 1879 and continuing through to today. With attention now focused on the re-generation of Toronto's waterfront, future changes may be on the horizon, allowing Exhibition Place to play a key role in the re-development and integration of the waterfront.