Rare 1860s Photos Capture Canada's Confederation Era
A collection of historical photographs documents Canada around the time of its Confederation in 1867. The images, sourced from Library and Archives Canada and Toronto Public Library, show urban scenes, architecture, and daily life in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Highlights include the proclamation reading at Market Square in Kingston, Notre Dame Street in Montreal, military review on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and Yonge Street in Toronto. The photos were taken using large-format glass-plate cameras, a nascent technology in the 1860s. The collection was shared by PetaPixel on Canada Day, July 1, 2026, marking 159 years since the Dominion of Canada was formed.
Key facts
- 159 years ago, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick formed the Dominion of Canada.
- Confederation proclamation was read at Market Square, Kingston, Ontario on July 1, 1867.
- Photographs from the 1860s show cities like Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston.
- Images include Notre Dame Street, Parliament Hill, Yonge Street, and King Street.
- Photography used large-format glass-plate cameras requiring long exposures.
- Sources: Library and Archives Canada and Toronto Public Library.
- Collection published by PetaPixel on July 1, 2026.
- Canada did not become fully independent from Britain in 1867.
Entities
Institutions
- Library and Archives Canada
- Toronto Public Library
- PetaPixel
- News Dog Media
Locations
- Canada
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Kingston
- Montreal
- Ottawa
- Toronto
- Market Square, Kingston
- Notre Dame Street, Montreal
- Parliament Hill, Ottawa
- Yonge Street, Toronto
- King Street, Toronto
- Adelaide Street, Toronto
- Globe Building, Toronto
- New Fort, Toronto
- Exhibition grounds, Toronto
- Queen Street, Toronto
- Union Suspension Bridge, Ottawa
- Government House
- Jesuit College, New Brunswick
- Upper Town Market, New Brunswick