During the 19th century, the purpose of sailing shifted from trade and defense to recreation, and a series of yacht clubs were established in Toronto Harbour. The second of these, Queen City Yacht Club (QCYC), was formed on August 15, 1889. Originally located on the Toronto Canoe Club wharf, between Simcoe and York Streets, the QCYC immediately began holding weekly races during the sailing months.
In 1902, a new clubhouse was designed by club member and prominent Toronto architect E.J. Lennox and built on the Argonaut Rowing Club Wharf at the base of York Street which would be currently located under the Gardiner Expressway due to infilling. Plans for the club to move to Sunfish (later Algonquin) Island were expedited in 1920, when the clubhouse sank into the harbour. The following year, the Club moved to its current location. Founded as a "cooperatively-run club accessible to ordinary men," QCYC has been instrumental in the development of Toronto's sailing culture.