Corktown was originally settled by working class immigrants in the early 1800’s. Many of these families came from the County of Cork in Ireland, which explains how this neighbourhood became known as Corktown.  

Most Corktown residents found employment at one of the local breweries or brickyards. These families were very poor and could not afford the lofty pew rents at nearby St. James Cathedral. 

This led to the building of their own “Little Trinity Church” in 1843. Little Trinity Church is still standing today at 417 King Street East. The Trinity Schoolhouse on Trinity Street, just south of Little Trinity Church was built in 1848. This was Toronto’s first ‘free school’. Its benefactor was Enoch Turner, a prominent Corktown brewer, and one of Toronto’s great philanthropists. 

A century and a half later children and adults are still being educated in the Trinity Schoolhouse, which is now run as a museum designed to replicate a mid-nineteenth century classroom. 

Corktown contains some of the oldest Victorian row-houses in Toronto. Some of these houses date back to the 1850’s and 1860’s. These former workers’ cottages can be found on the quaint narrow laneways that are discreetly tucked away off Corktown’s main streets.  

Corktown is popular with young professionals, who value this downtown location for its convenience to Toronto’s business and entertainment districts. Many of Corktown’s commercial buildings have been converted into live-work studios, condominium lofts and professional offices, which has given this neighbourhood an added charm and vitality.

Neighbourhood landmarks include the historic Little Trinity Church and the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. Corktown Common and Underpass Park are newer parks that have won awards for their design. Underpass Park hosts a popular Farmers’ Market.