Life at Niagara began in pioneer conditions and the nuns first occupied the tavern building, which had been standing on the site since the 1830s. The former property owner (Colin Skinner) had established the Canada House, also known as the “Ontario House” tavern on Lot 160, immediately adjacent to Portage Road.
The Irish-based Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary had arrived in Toronto in 1847 to serve the needs of the immigrant Irish population, which helped the Ladies of Loretto to move here in 1961.