Neighbourhoods
Queensway Village
The Queensway began as a small farming community in the late 1800′s. One of the few reminders of the Queensway’s rural past is the little, white, stucco cottage that sits in an old farmers field at 694 Royal York Road.
Sunnylea Village
The history of the Sunnylea neighbourhood revolves around Alexander Thompson who purchased two hundreds acres of land in this area in 1803, after his discharge from the Kings Rangers.
Kingsway Village
The Kingsway is situated on former Clergy Reserve lands that were deeded to the Church of England in the early 1800′s. The church leased this property to farmers until 1908 when it was acquired by Robert Home Smith, the visionary who planned The Kingsway neighbourhood.
Mimico Village
Mimico was originally known by the First Nations People as “Omimeca,” meaning “the resting place of the wild pigeons.” The Passenger Pigeon is now an extinct species whose memory lives on in the name of this community.
High Park Village
The High Park neighbourhood contains a wealth of history. The area north of Bloor Street was formerly part of the Town of West Toronto Junction, which was annexed by the City of Toronto in 1909.
The historical house at 191 High Park Avenue was built in 1888 for D.W. Clendenan, the first mayor of West Toronto Junction.
The High Park property south of Bloor Street, was purchased in 1836 by John Howard ò Toronto’s first surveyor. Howard named his estate High Park because of its magnificent view of Lake Ontario.
Roncesvalles Village
Parkdale’s history began in the late 1800′s when it was an elite residential suburb, that rivaled Rosedale as Toronto’s most desirable address. Parkdale’s popularity led to its incorporation as a village in 1878. Then in 1889, after many heated public debates, Parkdale’s citizens voted in favour of amalgamation with the City of Toronto.
Bloor West Village
In the 1850′s, the area now known as Bloor West Village was the property of Lieutenant
The present day neighbourhood began to be developed in 1909 when this district became part of the City of Toronto. Soon after amalgamation with Toronto, Bloor West’s roads were paved and city services were made available.
