In the 1890s, the Government of Canada decided to consolidate all of the facilities in Toronto that were used to train and maintain local volunteers and professional militia regiments.

The stones were cut in Belleville, causing the local Stonecutter's Association to complain about the work not being done in Toronto.

Displays included march pasts and musical rides were to all be part of the festival, for which a 3,000-seat set of bleachers would be constructed in the drill hall.

[9] The patrons were the Governor-General of Canada Earl of Aberdeen and Lady Aberdeen; and George Kirkpatrick, the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario; James Patterson, Minister of Militia and Defence; Major-General Ivor Herbert, commander of the militia; Sir Casimir Gzowski; and Warring Kennedy, the Mayor of Toronto and their wives.

The veterans had marched from North Toronto Station down Yonge Street then west to the Armouries.

They were greeted by John Hendrie, the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario and Thomas Church, the Mayor of Toronto.

According to Metro Chairman Fred Gardiner, a search of the downtown found that the most suitable location was the Armouries building.

Architect Charles Dolphin called it a "great sturdy, colourful structure which you can learn to love and appreciate for what it is when you look at all those boxes we are putting up today under the guise of modernism.

"[19] Toronto Alderman Horace Brown called it an "ugly duckling" and "architectural monstrosity.

[20] Toronto City Council voted to waive its right on June 19, 1961, at the urging of Gardiner who warned that they "could make a mess of the square if they block the sale.

The Governor General's Horse Guards and the 5th Column RCASC moved to Denison Armoury at Downsview.

The 42nd Medium Artillery regiment moved to the Falaise Barracks on Lake Shore Boulevard at Spadina.