The History of the Distillery District

By Distillery
  • Worts emigrates to Canada and grist mill is founded

    Worts emigrates to Canada and grist mill is founded

    1831-1831
    James Worts and his brother-in-law William Gooderham, emigrated to Canada from England. After becoming a success in England, Gooderham invested in Worts' milling business, which then led to the Gooderham and Worts partnership. After the death of Worts' wife, he committed suicide, leaving Gooderham and Worts' eldest son to run the business.
  • Gooderham's business grows

    Gooderham's business grows

    1837-1837
    Due to the increase in demand for grain in Upper Canada, Gooderham opened a distillery. From that business, he was able to make his own whiskey.
  • The business increases in size

    The business increases in size

    1850-1859 During this time period, the business has grown and prospered. The new additions include various flour mills, a wharf, storage houses, an icehouse, a cooper shop as well as a dairy.
  • The new distillery opens

    The new distillery opens

    1859-1859 On Mill St, east of Parliament Ave., a new distillery is built. What was considered one of Toronto's important contributions to manufacturing, the new distillery was built with steam mills, and distillery stands which are five storeys high. In addition, there was a chimney that stood 100 ft high.

  • Fire destroys the main building

    1869-1869
    Although a fire occurred in the interior's main building, the fire did not dampen the business overall. Reconstruction to the building totalled over $100,000.
  • Production increases

    Production increases

    1871-1871
    By this year, whiskey production had totalled 2.1 million gallons. While nearly half the production was done in Ontario, exports were sent internationally. Some of the countries included the U.S., Brazil and Argentina.
  • A turning point

    A turning point

    1881-1881
    After the deaths of William Gooderham and James Warts Jr, George Gooderham inherited the distillery.
  • World War I and prohibition cause problems

    World War I and prohibition cause problems

    1914-1927 The distillery was affected by the war because their production had to be turned over to manufacturing acetone. This created problems overall for the area. In 1920, the prohibition era brought alcoholic production to a halt.
  • A new owner takes over

    A new owner takes over

    1923-1923
    Due to business troubles, Harry C. Hatch, a self-made millionaire, bought the distillery. In 1927, after buying Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd and merging the two businesses, the focus shifted to growing the Canadian Club brand. From there, operations moved to Windsor, ON.

  • Distillery closes

    1990-1990
    In 1990, Gooderham & Worts stopped production. They had been in production for over 150 years. Over time, the distillery was able to find new life as a filming location and over 1,700 films have used the distillery.
  • A new era

    A new era

    2003-Present
    In May of 2003, the Distillery District reopens and it has become a large tourist attraction. It is also considered to be a vital part of Toronto.