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In the late 1800s, the federal government realized that they needed to provide their volunteer soldiers with centralized locations for training, as this was being done in drill sheds scattered throughout the city. The decision was made to build the Toronto Armouries, and architect Thomas Fuller was retained to design the structure that would sit on land facing University Avenue, behind Osgoode Hall. His building, completed in 1894, was a red-brick Romanesque style fortification reminiscent of a medieval castle - with towers, turrets, and castellations. The building was a grand structure with the drill hall measuring 125' x 280', making it the largest armoury in Canada. Opening day in 1894 was a grand event with a Military Tournament that included several regiments, among them the Queen's Own, 48th Highlanders, and the Royal Dragoons. Soldiers that trained at the Toronto Armouries would go on to represent Canada in the Boer War as well as both World War I and II. In the 1960s, it had been decided that the building was no longer needed and would be demolished. Citizens rallied to save this military heritage structure, but in 1963 it was torn down to make room for the Provincial Court House.