History Under Foot

by Wendy Soloduik

If development is progress, then salvage is preservation.

A piece of Toronto’s historic waterfront is for sale, right here in King Township. Northern Wide Plank specializes in the installation of wide plank floors made from timber taken from the site of Toronto’s Queens Wharf.

The Queen’s Wharf, named for Queen Victoria, was built in 1833. It was used as a supply dock, and in its prime, it saw a steady flow of frigates and military vessels. The Wharf’s lighthouse, which still exists today at the foot of Bathurst St.
and Front St., was the marker, indicating the west entrance to the city’s harbour.

As “progress” ensued, Toronto’s shoreline expanded, and historically precious sites, such as the Queen’s Wharf,
found themselves buried and forgotten. In this case, the Wharf lay undisturbed for more than a hundred years.

In the spring of 2006, she awoke, only to be dismantled. As construction began on a condominium project, the site of the historical wharf was excavated by Malibu Investments. Since preservation of the site was not an
option, preservation of materials was the best that could be done for the old girl, and she was sold off, piece by piece.

One section of the Wharf moved to Fort York, and timbers, previously serving as a landing point, and built in the 1790’s
were sold as flooring.

“It had to be pulled out,” said Michael Loconte, construction manager for Malibu. “It was within our site. I didn’t know what else to do with the stuff other than just put it in a bin and chuck it.”

But companies like Northern Wide Plank are ensuring that this part of Toronto’s history will not be “chuckedout”,
but refinished, and reused.

As their slogan says, “spanning two of the world’s greatest centuries these truly unique treasures of history are brought to
life again at your feet”.

Northern, who also manufactures wood flooring from new materials, has gained a reputation amongst archeologists
and home builders for their product range, including the well-preserved timbers from the wharf.

Northern Wide Plank is located in Schomberg. For more information, please contact them at 905 939-9858.