The Princes' Gates is a triumphal arch and a monumental gateway at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Made out of cement and stone, the triumphal arch is flanked by colonnades on both of its sides, with curved pylons at both ends. The structure serves as the eastern gateway to the Canadian National Exhibition, an annual agricultural and provincial fair held at Exhibition Place.
The Princes' Gates was initially conceived in the 1920s, forming part of a larger redevelopment effort of the eastern portions of Exhibition Place. Work began on Princes' Gates in April 1927, and was completed several months later in August. The structure was initially planned to be named the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation Gates, with its opening coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. However, the structure was named Princes' Gates, after Edward, Prince of Wales and Prince George were scheduled to officially open the new structure. The structure was officially opened by the two princes on August 30, 1927. Since its completion, the structure has undergone several restorations. In 1987, the municipal government named Princes' Gates as a "structure of architectural and historic interest" under the Ontario Heritage Act.
History
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) was established in 1879 at the foot of Dufferin Street, leasing the western-most portion of the Military Reserve attached to the Toronto Garrison. Over time, the CNE expanded eastward and took over more of the Reserve. By the 1920s, it was now looking to expand to the easternmost section of the Reserve site at the foot of Strachan Avenue. In 1924, the Chapman and Oxley architectural firm was contracted to make a 50-year development plan for the eastern portions of the Exhibition Grounds (now known as "Exhibition Place"); including the Princes' Gates. Princes' Gates was initially intended to serve as the main entrance to a walled park; Additionally, Princes' Gates was intended to serve as the grand entrance for the Exhibition Grounds and the CNE; with the primary entrance to the CNE before 1927 being situated at Dufferin Gate, at the west-end of the Exhibition Grounds. Alfred Chapman of Chapman and Oxley was contracted as the lead designer of the east-side entrance in 1926.
Inspiration for the design of Princes' Gates came from other British and French triumphal arches that Chapman visited while visiting western Europe for the 1925 British Empire Exhibition. Although plans for Princes' Gates were conceived in the early 1920s construction of the structure did not take place until 1927. A municipal referendum was held on January 1, 1927, to approve the construction of the triumphal arch and a boulevard that would lead to it at the cost of ($ in dollars). Construction for the triumphal arches took place later that year, from April 14 to August 30, with the structure itself costing approximate ($ in dollars). Strachan Avenue was straightened and extended south in front of Princes' Gates to Lake Shore Boulevard during the same period that Princes' Gates was being built.
With construction taking place on the 60th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, the triumphal arch was known as the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation Gates. However, Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) and Prince George, Duke of Kent were later scheduled to open the triumphal arches as a part of their royal tour of Canada in 1927, resulting in the triumphal arches to be renamed Princes' Gates on August 5, 1927, after the two princes. Princes' Gates was officially opened to the public on August 30, 1927 by the Prince of Wales with a pair of golden scissors, accompanied by the Duke of Kent. A procession of veterans then passed through the gate, followed by the royal party. Since the Princes' Gates were opened in 1927, a procession of veterans has marched through the arch for every Warriors' Day parade held at the CNE. Nearly a year later, on August 28, 1928, a plaque commemorating the unveiling of Princes' Gates by the two princes was installed on the structure.
In 1977, on the 50th anniversary of Princes' Gates opening, a commemorative plaque was unveiled just inside the gate by the Ontario Heritage Foundation. The historical plaque was unveiled by W. B. Sullivan, one of the original builders of the structure. A decade later, on June 15, 1987, the municipal government of Toronto named Princes' Gates as a structure of architectural and historic interest, as authorized by the Ontario Heritage Act.