HISTORY 
Danforth Village, north of the Danforth, was land originally held by the Church of England. Local street names like Glebemount, and Glebeholme, are reminders that this was once Church land.

The land south of the Danforth was not held by the Church. This land was originally owned by families engaged in either farming or in the brick making business.

After being annexed to the City of Toronto in 1908 Danforth Village began to be subdivided. The two most significant events in the growth of this neighbourhood were the completion of the Prince Edward Viaduct in 1918, and the opening of the Bloor - Danforth subway in 1966.

 

OVERVIEW
Danforth Village is well known for its shopping district along Danforth Avenue. The Danforth's many shops and restaurants reflect the multicultural flavour of the residents who live in this neighbourhood.

 

The relative affordability of the houses in Danforth Village, together with the convenience of the Bloor-Danforth subway line make this neighbourhood an excellent choice for first time home buyers.

LESLIEVILLE

HISTORY
Leslieville began as a small village back in the 1850's. The village grew up around the Toronto Nurseries owned by George Leslie and sons, after whom this neighbourhood is named.

Most of Leslieville's residents were either market gardeners or were employed at one of several brick making companies that used to operate in the area.

 

One of the first buildings in the village was the Leslieville Public School, built in 1863. Leslieville's first principal was Alexander Muir who composed "The Maple Leaf Forever".

 

Muir's poetic verse was inspired when a brilliant autumn maple leaf fell from a Leslieville tree onto his jacket.

 

That maple tree is still standing today and has become Leslieville's most famous landmark. It is designated by an historic plaque at the intersection of Laing Street and Memory Lane.

 

OVERVIEW
The green and white Leslieville street signs that run along Queen Street were installed in 1987. These historic markers are symbolic of a renewed interest and pride in Leslieville among the residents of this quiet east end neighbourhood.

 

Leslieville, still feels very much like a small village. It's cozy houses, quaint stores, and tree lined streets, seem surprisingly serene and peaceful considering Leslieville's close proximity to downtown Toronto.

 

PLAYTER ESTATES

HISTORY
Playter Estates is named after the Playter family who held the original land grants on both sides of the Don River near Bloor Street. Captain George Playter, the patriarch of the family, was an United Empire Loyalist who emigrated to Canada from Pennsylvania in the 1790's. George's son James Playter, owned the land where Playter Estates is today. However, it was James' eldest brother John who actually settled on this land. John's grandson, John Lea Playter, erected the Playter Homestead at 28 Playter Crescent in the mid 1870's. This charming brick home is still owned by members of the Playter family. The property around the homestead was used for farmland up until 1912, when the current neighbourhood was developed.

 

OVERVIEW
Playter Estates is an exclusive enclave of homes located just east of the Don Valley. This neighbourhood has many desirable features including beautiful homes, a first class shopping district on Danforth Avenue, and convenient access to Toronto's transit system.

RIVERDALE

HISTORY
Riverdale was a small rural community until the Grand Trunk Railway began steaming through here in the 1850's. The railway brought industry and employment opportunities to Riverdale. It also attracted a pool of labourers who built the first homes in Riverdale, south of the railway tracks.

North of Queen Street Riverdale remained largely undeveloped until 1884 when it was annexed by the City of Toronto. At that time Riverdale was called Riverside. The name was probably changed to Riverdale as a reference to the city park of the same name, that has long been a landmark in this area.

Riverdale's development was accelerated in 1918 with the building of Toronto's largest bridge, the Prince Edward Viaduct. The Viaduct provided Riverdale with an important link to the City of Toronto, west of the Don River, and marked a coming of age for this popular Toronto neighbourhood.

 

OVERVIEW
Riverdale is the gateway to Toronto's east end neighbourhoods. It is a large and diverse community that is especially well known for its colourful shopping districts and quaint Victorian homes.

North Riverdale from Gerrard to the Danforth is very popular with young affluent professionals, while South Riverdale has traditionally attracted a wide mix of people looking for affordable homes close to downtown.

 

 

HISTORY
The Beach was first settled by the Ashbridge family who came to Canada from Philadelphia, in 1793. Ashbridge's Bay Park is named after these pioneers. The Ashbridges, and a handful of other families, farmed this district until the latter part of the 1800's, when many of The Beach properties were subdivided. At that time, large parcels of land were set aside for local parks.

Woodbine, Kew Gardens, Scarboro, Balmy Beach and Victoria Park collectively became Toronto's playgrounds by the lake. These amusement parks also attracted many summer cottagers to the area.

By the 1920's, the City of Toronto was expanding eastward and The Beach was subdivided for year round residential development. Over the years The Beach has emerged as one of Toronto's most popular neighbourhoods.

 

OVERVIEW
The Beach looks and feels more like a lakeside resort town, than a big city neighbourhood. In the summertime, thousands of Torontonians and tourists flock to The Beach to walk on The Boardwalk, exercise along the Martin Goodman Trail, relax by the water, or shop and dine at the colourful stores and restaurants along Queen Street.

 

The social centre of The Beach neighbourhood is Kew Gardens, which hosts many annual events including a Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting festival, a Jazz festival, and an Arts and Crafts show.

 

Ed. Note: A long standing debate has ensued over the proper name for this neighbourhood. Some refer to it as The Beach, others as the Beaches. To be politically correct use The Beach, otherwise both are acceptable.