There are excellent collections of historical Toronto maps at the Toronto Reference Library, North York Central Library, the City of Toronto Archives, the University of Toronto’s Robarts Library and the Archives of Ontario. See our Libraries and Archives page for contact information before you visit in person. Several of these repositories also have free online collections.
The Toronto Public Library has a large number of Toronto maps in its online digital collection. Note that by using the menu on the left of the TPL page, you can narrow your search results by publication year. Choose the subject “Fire Insurance” to select very detailed maps showing building footprints and construction materials.
The City of Toronto Archives has a good collection of maps and aerial photos online.
The University of Toronto’s Map & Data Library also has many online Toronto maps.
Nathan Ng has created several excellent alternative sites for navigating and understanding the maps in these online collections:
GOAD’S ATLAS OF TORONTO—ONLINE! provides a key to the fire insurance maps and makes it easier to locate a specific area. It includes maps for 1880, 1884, 1889, 1890, 1893, 1899, 1903, 1910, 1913 and 1924.
HISTORICAL MAPS OF TORONTO gathers a wonderful selection of maps and arranges them chronologically.
FORT YORK AND GARRISON COMMON MAPS is a collaboration with the Friends of Fort York.