The Royal Canadian Yacht Club was founded in 1852, in the British tradition of a recreational yachting club that would serve unofficially as an auxiliary to the navy. Established under the name of the Toronto Boat Club, in 1854, with Queen Victoria’s permission, the club was renamed the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
Long associated with the Toronto Islands, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club did not move there until 1881, first occupying various locations on the Toronto waterfront. The first island clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1904. Its successor, officially opened in 1906, was also irreparably damaged by fire in 1918. On August 25, 1919, Edward, Prince of Wales laid the corner stone for the gracious two-story Southern-style clubhouse that has been the RCYC’s summer home ever since.
