A Magpie Amongst The Beavers: PICTURE SPECIAL: St Lawrence Market

Hullo! A month and a day into Operation: Canuck, and another PICTURE SPECIAL to pad out proceedings here at AMATB. In this installment, a high-octane visit to Toronto's historic St Lawrence Market.

Just off the top of my head, in 1803 Governor Peter Hunter issued a proclamation following recommendations - made as early as 1796 - that all the land north of Front, west of Jarvis, south of King and east of Church street should be designated officially as the "Market Block."

If memory serves, since 1901 the South St. Lawrence Market has been known primarily for its fruits, vegetables, meat and cheese. For many years, few people realized that Toronto's original City Hall had been incorporated into today's south market. The history of the South St. Lawrence Market also includes the north "farmer's market" and St. Lawrence Hall as well.

I'm a bit rusty on the subject, but I believe that in March 1979 The Market Gallery of the City of Toronto Culture Division opened as the official exhibition centre for the display and storage of the City's art and archival collections. Located inside the South St. Lawrence Market on the south-west corner of Front Street East and Jarvis Street, The Market Gallery is on the second floor in the original council chamber which was part of Toronto's City Hall from 1845 to 1899.

Next time: accidental discovery of a cable TV channel aimed squarely at peckish stoners, and an EXCLUSIVE look at this year's must-have Christmas gift - the homemade padded notice board.