Schmap Toronto Historical Background

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Toronto - Historical Background
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If you think that Toronto, like so many other North American cities, is relatively young, think again. More than 8,000 years ago this spot on the northern shores of Lake Ontario was home to prehistoric humans hunting the dense woods for bears and elk. They were followed by a rich and diverse Iroquois culture spread across nearly 200 villages in the Toronto area alone.

British and French fur traders and explorers arriving in the late 16th century changed the power balance in the region. At first, Toronto was interesting for them only as the end of the canoe route from Quebec City. Etienne Brulé, the first European known to visit the canoe "carrying place" the Hurons called Toronto, had no idea he was standing on the site of Canada's largest city-to-be.

In 1751, the French erected Fort Rouillé where Toronto stands today, thus making the city's earliest European roots French rather than British. Destroyed only eight years later in the Seven Years' War, the fort lay burnt until hundreds of British loyalists, fleeing the newly formed United States following the War of Independence, populated the Lake Ontario area.

Swampy Garrison Town

John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada (now Ontario), set up a strategically well-positioned but swampy garrison town of 12 cottages on the lakeshore around the former French post and, in 1793, the town was named Fort York in honour of the Duke of York. Fort York (now an open-air museum) was soon made the capital of Upper Canada, and later of Ontario.

Ironically, Simcoe's family decided to leave "Muddy York" in 1796, thinking that the stagnating settlement didn't have much of a future. Nevertheless, by 1800, the rectangular grid-iron that still defines Toronto was laid out, largely ignoring the deep ravines, hills and small rivers that shaped the landscape.

The 700 inhabitants of York came under American occupation for a few days during the British-American War of 1812. But the Americans quickly retreated when the war started to go badly for them. In 1834, it took another influential politician to switch the city's name back to Toronto. However, it wasn't all clear sailing for William Lyon Mackenzie, the first mayor of the 9,000-population city under its new (old) name. In 1837, the fiery Scot was forced to flee to the U.S. after leading a failed rebellion to achieve political reform against the so-called "Family Compact," a group of British nobles who ran the city at their discretion without any checks or balances. The group was finally brought down thanks to public outcry, and Mackenzie returned to Canada 12 years later following a pardon.

Reflecting Puritanical Roots

Looking at a map of Toronto in the late 19th century, you can see an urban area reflecting its puritanical roots in the conservative layout. It also lived up to its nickname of "The Big Smoke" with a New World version of industrial London: a busy, polluting harbour, factory chimneys spewing untreated soot into the air, coal-black railways chugging away and the obligatory slums as well as mansions, Victorian colleges and churches. The nickname took on a tragic significance in 1904 when a fire destroyed more than 100 buildings in the downtown core Fifty years earlier, nature had actually helped create a part of Toronto: The Islands, a 15-minute ferry ride from the downtown Harbourfront, were formed by a heavy storm cutting off a spit of land from the mainland.

Toronto lost 10,000 lives when many of its British immigrant inhabitants volunteered to fight in World War I. Then came the Great Depression of the 1930's, bringing hunger, homelessness and an unemployment rate of over 30 percent. World War II again meant Canadian men trooping off to fight in Europe, but also British children fleeing the bombings and European refugees coming to Canada, with many settling in Toronto.

Post-war Toronto, even though it claimed close to 1 million inhabitants, was nothing like the city of today: no skyscrapers, no large Chinese, Portuguese, Greek or Italian communities, no extensive subway system, no bars and closed and curtained shops on Sundays. The new council of Metro Toronto, joining the city and its suburbs in 1953, initiated an unparalleled construction boom in the 1960's.

A City of Superlatives

Torontonians are proud of their superlatives and sometimes see life as an extension of the "Guinness Book of World Records," an attitude that helps puff up the city's collective chest but also lends some credence to its reputation for egocentricity (as in the long-standing joke in the newspaper headline, "Toronto Unscathed in World-Wide Nuclear Holocaust!"). The city lays claim to the tallest free-standing structure in the world (the CN Tower at 553m), the first fully-retractable roofed stadium (Rogers Centre), the longest street (Yonge Street, more than 1,900 km), Canada's biggest museum (Royal Ontario Museum) and university (University of Toronto), the biggest castle in North America (Casa Loma), North America's second largest public transit system (the TTC), and an 11-km maze of underground malls.

Peter Ustinov once called modern-day Toronto a "New York run by the Swiss." Now that New York seems itself to be run by the Swiss, that label might no longer be appropriate. Nevertheless, the city prides itself on its clean and safe streets and large, open green spaces. More importantly, it is the cultural and financial centre of the country, an economic powerhouse with a budget bigger than that of the province of Saskatchewan, and home within a 160-km area to a full one-third of all Canadians.

Over half of Toronto's residents are non-white and are shifting the city's ethnic neighbourhoods around;old Victorian areas, once rundown or abandoned, are being gentrified; the skyline glitters from afar with bank towers and shopping skyscrapers like the 65-storey Scotia Plaza; and urban development is about to radically change the lakeshore. Outdoor festivals, patios, a new openness and willingness to have fun and to partake in public life—this is the Toronto of today.

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CN Tower

World's tallest free-standing structure

301 Front Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 2T6
Canada
+1 416 601 4729
http://www.cntower.ca/

At 553.3 metres, this is officially the world's tallest building. Since its spectacular opening in 1976, the tower has hosted close to two million visitors a year. One of the most exciting ways to see the world is from the exterior, glass-floored observation deck, located 342 metres above the ground. Or you can go up to the Space Deck at 447 metres, the world's tallest observation deck with a 160-kilometre view. The revolving 360 Degrees Restaurant and Horizons Bar complete the dizzying picture.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Casa Loma

Taste of the Edwardian 1 Austin Terrace
(At Spadina)
Toronto, ON M5R 1X8
Canada
+1 416 923 1171
http://www.casaloma.org/ A visit to Toronto's grand castle estate, the former home to financier Sir Henry Pellatt, is like stepping back into the Edwardian era. You can tour 98 richly decorated rooms, secret passages, towers, and an 800-foot tunnel connecting the castle to its magnificent stables. Outside, you will find a five-acre estate, with gardens offering dazzling colors, sculptures and water fountains. The on-site café and gift shop offer delightful food, souvenirs, and breathtaking views.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Fort York

War of 1812 brought to life 100 Garrison Road
(off Fleet Street)
Toronto, ON M5V 3K9
Canada
+1 416 392 6907 / +1 416 338 3888 (Events)
http://www.toronto.ca/culture/... Built in 1793, to protect Toronto Bay from American invasion, this fort just east of Exhibition Place represents Canada's largest concentration of original War of 1812 buildings. Period-costumed staff provide guided tours highlighting the blockhouses, barracks and officers' quarters. The staff give demonstrations of what military life was like in the early 18th century. Special events throughout the year include a Battle of York Commemoration (April 30), Victoria Day Celebration and Canada Day at Fort York.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Harbourfront Centre

From Docklands to Tourist Lands 235 Queens Quay W
(At York)
Toronto, ON M5J 2G8
Canada
+1 416 973 4000 (General Information and Box Office)
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com Used primarily as the city's industrial docklands for decades, the Harbourfront area has been developed over the last 30 years into a recreational and cultural attraction that now draws more than three million visitors per year. Part of Harbourfront's attraction is that it is many things to many people. Some shop at the Newcourt Centre; others take in an outdoor concert at Molson Place or attend a festival at the York Quay Centre; while others turn out for the annual book reading events.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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PATH

Taking shelter underground 31 Adelaide St East
(at Victoria Street)
Toronto, ON M5C 2J8
Canada
+1 416 410 1656 / +1 877 455 7284
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/... Unlike much of the city, Toronto's financial district is compressed into a conveniently walkable area—even in bad weather. That's thanks to the "underground city," covering 11 kilometres of adjoining passageways under the streets and connecting to more than 1,200 retail stores and services. If you are a little nervous about doing the trek alone, join one of the organized tours such as Silk Path Tours. Call +1 416 410 1656 or contact silkpath@canada.com for more information on schedules.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Rogers Centre

Sports architectural wonder One Blue Jays Way
Toronto, ON M5V 1J1
Canada
+1 416 341 3663 / +1 888 654 6529
http://www.rogerscentre.com/ Home to the Toronto Blue Jays since the 1989 season, as well as the Toronto Argonauts Football Team, this CAD500-million-plus architectural marvel is the first stadium to have a fully retractable roof. Rogers Centre facility's versatility allows it to accommodate a variety of events suited for an arena, a domed stadium and an open-air facility. Seating more than 50,000 for baseball, the stadium boasts the world's largest JumboTron scoreboard, a 346-room hotel with some suites facing the field, and a Hard Rock Café with field-view seating. Come late Autumn, Rogers hosts the wildly successful annual Canadian Aboriginal Festival.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Royal Ontario Museum

Art & Science Museum 100 Queen's Park
Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
Canada
+1 416 586 5549
http://www.rom.on.ca/ This museum incorporates a unique mix of galleries to present art, archaeological objects and scientific specimens. The museum, which sees more than a million visitors annually, houses a collection of over six million objects on three floors. This is the only place in Toronto where you can enjoy unraveling the mysteries of the Egyptian mummies, watch and hear an active beehive, and view inspiring artwork from many different countries. On leaving this museum, you will take along unique experiences.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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TTC (Toronto Transit Commission)

Ride the rocket 1900 Yonge Street
(Head Office)
Toronto, ON M4S 1Z1
Canada
+1 416 393 4636
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/... This commission operates all of Toronto's public transit systems, including subways, buses and streetcars. There are essentially three subway lines: the Bloor-Danforth line runs east-west across the city, while the Yonge and University-Spadina lines, though linked, are really two north-south lines meeting in a horseshoe at Union Station. Designated waiting areas are located on all subway platforms for your safety. There is 24 hour bus service on major routes. Cash fare: CAD2.25 adults; CAD1.50 students and seniors with ID; CAD0.50 children.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Toronto Islands

Escape the hustle and bustle 84 Advance Road
(Bay Street and Queen's Quay)
Toronto, ON M8Z 2TZ
Canada
+1 416 203 0405
http://www.torontoisland.org About a ten-minute ferry ride from the Bay Street docks (next to the Westin Harbour Castle) you'll find three islands; Centre Island, Ward's Island and Hanlon's Point;that leave the city's hustle and bustle far behind. Once on the islands, there are plenty of attractions including the Centreville Amusement Park, paddle boats and bikes for rent, in-line skating paths and numerous beaches for sunbathing, picnics or barbecues.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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University of Toronto

Largest and most famous 214 College Street
Toronto, ON M5S 1A1
Canada
+1 416 978 2011
http://www.utoronto.ca/ Founded in 1827 and now home to over 53,000 students, this is Canada's largest and arguably most famous university. Some of the more interesting sites to visit are the main room of the University of Toronto Bookstore, the chapel and the dining hall at Trinity College, the great rooms on the second floor of the University College, Hart House and its art gallery, and the Sydney Fisher Rare Book Library. The university offers daily tours during the summer, starting at Hart House. The campus is right in the heart of the downtown core.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Yonge Street

The world's longest Queen's Quay West north to City Limits
Toronto, ON M4W 2H1
Canada
+1 416 597 0255 (Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area)
http://www.downtownyonge.com/ Not only does this street designate Toronto's east-west split, it is also the city's longest thoroughfare. In fact, Yonge is known as the world's longest street, stretching from Lake Ontario to the town of Rainy River, more than 1900 km away. Originally used as a trail by the Hurons, the road became an official passage in the 1790s. Today it is a burgeoning commercial district and a beehive of activity, especially in the section between Front and Lawrence. One of Toronto's three subway lines operates along this route.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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