1787
The Toronto Purchase was the surrender of lands in the Toronto area from the Mississaugas of New Credit to the British crown. An initial, disputed, agreement was made in 1787, in exchange for various items.
The agreement was revisited in 1805, intended to clarify the area purchased. The agreement remained in dispute for over 200 years, until 2010, when a settlement for the land was made between the Government of Canada and the Mississaugas for the land and other lands in the area.
The 1787 purchase, according to British records, was conducted on September 23, 1787, at the “Carrying-Place” of Bay of Quinte. The British crown and the Mississaugas of New Credit met to arrange for the surrender of lands along Lake Ontario.
In the case of the Toronto area, the Mississaugas of New Credit exchanged 250,808 acres (101,498 ha) of land in what became York County (most of current Toronto and the Regional Municipality of York bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, approximately Etobicoke Creek/Highway 27 to the west, approximately Ashbridge’s Bay/Woodbine Avenue-Highway 404 to the east and approximately south of Sideroad 15-Bloomington Road to the north) for some money, 2,000 gun flints, 24 brass kettles, 120 mirrors, 24 laced hats, a bale of flowered flannel, and 96 gallons of rum.
At the time, the Mississaugas believed that the agreement was not a purchase extinguishing their rights to the land, but a rental of the lands for British use in exchange for gifts and presents in perpetuity. W
1791
Upper Canada created by splitting the former colony of Quebec into two – Upper & Lower Canada. W
1792
The capital of Upper Canada was moved from what is now Niagara-On-The-Lake to the north shore of Lake Ontario to provide better protection from the U.S. The capital was originally named York, but was renamed in 1834 to Toronto.
1796
York Mills established as a transfer point for Northwest Company boats. Boats went up the Don River to York Mills then were hauled on wheels to Holland Landing. JH
Yonge Street opened. JH
1800 (ca)
Land was granted or sold in the area that was part of York County and would later become North York.
1801
Samuel Heron built a mill at York Mills but went bankrupt two years later. JH
1804
Andrew McGlashan emigrated from Scotland and built a log cabin east of Bayview Avenue and north of York Mills Road. JH
1805 (ca)
The first school, a log cabin, was built to serve the Hogg’s Hollow area behind the Miller Tavern. JH
1812-1814
All the able-bodied citizens of the area were part of the militia and served in many of the battles that took place against the American invasion of the then British territory.
1815
Andrew McGlashan sold the south half of his property to William Harrison and moved to Hogg’s Hollow where he built North York’s first Tannery of mud bricks. JH
1816
St. John’s Anglican Church, the first in North York, was opened in a small log building. JH
1817
Thomas Arnold, Township assessor, erected a sawmill on the west side of Yonge Street in Hogg’s Hollow. He later built a three-storey flour mill on the east side of Yonge. JH
1820s
First industry opened in North York — wool and saw mills near Lawrence and Leslie streets, built by Scottish immigrant Alexander Milne. SG
1824
James Hogg bought the Arnold Mills and more land on the Don River and built a distillery. He called his property York Mills. JH
1826
David Gibson immigrated to Upper Canada from Scotland.
1827
The Golden Lion Hotel was built on the south-west corner of Yonge & Sheppard. The first Golden Lion was carved but was later stolen.
The Toronto Cricket Club was founded. JH
1833
York Mills Baptist Church (102 York Mills Road) dedicated on June 3.
1833 (ca)
Reuben Burr built a one-storey square Georgian-style cottage just north of York Mills. The house would later become known as the Charles W. Jefferys House. JH
Yonge Street was straightened through Hogg’s Hollow by Rowland Burr who built the York Mills Bridge. JH
1834
The name of the Upper Canada capital was changed from York to Toronto and Toronto was incorporated as a city.
1834 (ca)
The second full sized Golden Lion was carved out of oak and decorated the front of the Golden Lion Hotel until it was demolished circa 1933.
This Golden Lion still exists and has had a number of homes. He is now on display in the North York Central Library.
1836
A post office was opened at York Mills. JH
A little wooden Scottish Presbyterian Church was built in Hogg’s Hollow near Ivor Road and Donino Avenue. JH
1837
Many of the residents of the area participated in the organization of both sides in the 1837 Rebellion. The rebellion itself was a fiasco, but the strong sentiments that came up through the rebellion eventually led to a more responsive form of government.
Several people who were part of the rebel force fled to the United States. David Gibson was one of those who fled. His house in North York was the only one burned by the loyalist forces.
Cornelius Van Nostrand set up a large grist and sawmill in the valley. JH
Sisters Cornelia, 13, and Charlotte, 15, De Grassi warn government forces about advancing rebels during December 1837 Rebellion. De Grassi St. in downtown Toronto, near Queen and Broadview, named after De Grassi family. “The Kids of Degrassi Street” TV series named after the street. SG
1838
John Armour bought land on the west side of Yonge from James Hogg. JH
Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews were hanged for their participation in the 1837 Rebellion. This caused so much discontent that others were transported to Tasmania rather than being hanged. Some escaped and went to the United States.
1840
Cornelius Van Nostrand converted his mill to steam power. He shipped high quality flour to Great Britain until 1846 when the Corn Laws were repealed. JH
1843
David Gibson was pardoned by Queen Victoria for his role in the 1837 Rebellion. He continued to live in the USA and manage his property in Willowdale through his wife and other family members.
1844
Andrew McGlashan Sr. died and Andrew II took over the business and sold the family home to William Goodwin. The house became known as the William Goodwin House. JH
1846
Great Britain repealed the Corn Laws. JH
1847
The second school in the Hogg’s Hollow area was built on the north-west corner of Yonge and John Streets (now known as Carson Cr.). JH
1848
David Gibson returned to Willowdale and began planning to rebuild his house which had been burned in 1837. He was soon restored to many of the positions he had held prior to fleeing to the USA.
1852
The current David Gibson house was completed on the same site where the original house had been burned.
1855
First post office opened in Willowdale, at Yonge and Park Home streets. SG
1856
The present Miller Tavern was built after fire destroyed the original tavern. Over the years, it has been known as Hogg’s Inn, Birrell’s Hotel, Carson’s Inn, the York Mills Hotel, and The Jolly Miller. JH
1859
The York Mills Presbyterian Church built in 1836 was torn down, piece by piece, and rebuilt on two acres of land on the west side of Yonge opposite Mill Street. A burial ground was laid out on the top of the hill. JH
1860
Robert Gray, York Mills carpenter, built the first of many Millworkers Cottages on John Street. JH
The McGlashan Tannery prospered until it was shut down in 1860. JH
1861
David Gibson died suddenly while on a trip to England to petition for a more democratic government.
1869
Zion Public School built on what is now Finch between Leslie and Woodbine streets. Now a historic site. Longest-lasting one-room school house in North York. SG
1872
William Goodwin died but family members continued to live in the house until ca. 1908. JH
1874
A second room was added to the school in Hogg’s Hollow built in 1847. JH
1876
Andrew Bathgate bought the McGlashan House. After Andrew was shot in a hunting accident his wife Agnes and son James lived in the house. JH
1882 (ca)
The Henry Mason House at 24 Mason Boulevard was built. JH
1885
The York Mills Presbyterian congregation joined Barron’s Church and the York Mills church and cemetery fell into disuse. JH
1886 (ca)
The Pratt House at 17 Mill Street was built. It is said to be the first house in Ontario built of poured concrete. JH
1888
First telephone installed in North York, at Lindsay, Francis & Co. general store. SG
1890
The York Mills Presbyterian Church burned down. JH
1893
A modern schoolhouse was built on the south side of York Mills Road just east of Yonge Street. JH
1895
Mills built by Cornelius Van Nostrand were destroyed by fire. JH
1897
Lester Bowles Pearson, Canada’s 14th prime minister (1963-68) born in Newtonbrook neighbourhood of North York. SG
1908
John Squire, a caretaker at St. John’s Anglican Church, bought the William Goodwin House and lived there until his death in 1931. JH
1910
Frederick Burton Robins bought land from John Armour hoping to develop a subdivision of 500 lots. JH
1910 (ca)
Charles W. Jefferys came to York Mills, renting the house just north of York Mills on Yonge as a summer retreat for his family. JH
1911
Mulholland, Wood, and Armour farms were purchased by British developers. JH
1913
Bell Barn raising. A
First Provincial Ploughing Match held at Sunnybrook Farm — later became International Ploughing Match. PH
1914
The outbreak of WW1 put an end to the dreams of developers in the York Mills area. JH
Strathrobyn was built by Frederick Burton Robins on land purchased from John Armour. JH
1915
WW1
1916
WW1
1917
WW1
North York’s first airfield was opened at Armour Heights in 1917 as an air force training school for pilots from Canada and Great Britain. JH
1918
WW1
1918-1919
The most damaging pandemic of influenza — for Canada and the world — was an H1N1 virus that appeared during the First World War. Despite its unknown geographic origins, it is commonly called the Spanish Flu. In 1918-19, it killed between 20 and 100 million people, including some 50,000 Canadians. CE
1919
Herb Carnegie, Canada’s first Black hockey star, is born in North York. He played in the 1940s-1950s. SG
1921
The election in Ontario of a Farmers’ Party paved the way for the secession of North York, East York, and Etobicoke from the Township of York. This gave the mostly rural areas more say over the use of taxes for such things as improved roads which the farmers needed to get their produce to market.
1922
James Bathgate became the Borough of North York’s first treasurer and served until 1931. JH
Charles W. Jefferys purchased the house in York Mills he had been renting as a summer retreat. JH
North York secession from York Township. PH
1923
Frederick Burton Robins sold 37 lots in the Armour Heights and Ridley Park developments on the opening day of the sale in April. JH
First fire chief appointed (volunteer). PH
Roy Risebrough became chief constable. PH
The Municipal Office Building was built. PH
The Armour Heights Subdivision was laid on on the land formerly occupied by the Armour Heights Airfield. JH
Fire destroyed most of the Township records. PH
1924
Small grant for Don Mills Library (1920’s-30’s). PH
1925
Barker Airfield opened. PH
The school built in 1893 burned. PH
1926
Canadian Legion British Empire Service League (BESL) organized. PH
The Enterprise weekly newspaper founded. PH
Cornerstone laid for Lawrence and Avenue Rd. campus of Havergal College, one of Canada’s best known private girls day and boarding schools. SG
The Toronto Cricket Club moved into new facilities at Armour Heights. JH
Baron Renfrew School opened. It was a school to serve the Hogg’s Hollow area. It was named for Edward, Prince of Wales, who adopted the title Baron Renfrew while touring Canada in 1919. After King Edward abdicated, the school was again known as York Mills School. JH
North York Township outdoor market opened at city limits on Yonge Street on June 19. JH
1927
More classrooms were added to York Mills (Baron Renfrew) School. JH
1928
Loretto Abbey in Armour Heights was built after outgrowing several locations around the city. JH
Senator Frank O’Connor, founder of Laura Secord Candy Shops, builds an estate “Maryvale” (named after his daughter Mary) on 600 acres at Victoria Park and Ellesmere. SG
Sunnybrook farm deeded to City of Toronto as a park. PH
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada plant opened. PH
North York’s first high school was established. PH
Township School Area established with joint board for schools in York Mills-Willowdale-Newtonbrook. PH
1929
First Hoggs Hollow Bridge and Bayview Avenue bridge completed. PH
Depression
Yonge Boulevard bridge was officially opened on January 5, creating a high demand for property in the York Mills area. JH
1930
Depression
Earl Haig High School opened with 300 pupils. PH
1931
The O’Keefe Windmill was built on the west side of Yonge in the Hogg’s Hollow area. JH
North York Township outdoor market moved to old car barns just north of city limits. PH
Depression
1932
Depression
1933
Depression
Cornerstone laid for St. John’s Rehabilitation Hospital, Cummer near Yonge St., Toronto’s first rehab hospital. SG
North York defaulted on bonds. PH
Golden Lion Hotel torn down. PH
1934
Depression
International Ploughing Match held at Maryvale Farm (north of Lawrence on west side of Victoria Park). PH
1935
Depression
North York’s first swimming pool opened behind the Jolly Miller Tavern on the banks of the Don. JH
North York and many other municipalities put under Provincial Government supervision. PH
1936
Graydon Hall (29 rooms), Toronto’s grandest residence after Casa Loma (98 rooms), is built by Toronto financier Henry Rupert Bain. SG
Depression
1937
Depression
St. John’s Rehabilitation Hospital opened. SG
North York paid off defaulted bonds and accrued interest by floating a new issue. PH
1938
North York did not seize either homes or farms for non-payment of taxes but did seize lots owned by speculators. PH
Depression
1939
Best selling Canadian-born author Mazo de la Roche, author of the “Jalna” books, moves into house at Bayview and Steeles which she calls “Windrush.” She lives there until 1945. SG
Sheppard Avenue closed between Dufferin and Keele to expand De Havilland. PH
Gladys Allison first attempt to set up bookmobile service dropped because of a gasoline shortage. PH
1940
WW2
1941
WW2
North York was released from Provincial Government supervision. PH
1942
WW2
Fire Department became a full-time professional organization. PH
St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church became a parish. PH
1943
WW2
1944
WW2
R.E. Edwards purchased site of the first Alexander Milne woolen mill and began to build Edwards Gardens. PH
York Mills Baptist Church (102 York Mills Road) closed.
1945
WW2
Gladys Allison arranged for travelling books to be loaned from Willowdale United Church. PH
More classrooms were added to York Mills (Baron Renfrew) School. JH
Strathrobyn was purchased by the Royal Canadian Air Force to be used as a staff training college. JH
Lions Club formed. PH
Central Community Council established to coordinate activities of Ratepayers Associations and other district organizations – later merged with Southern Community Council in Weston area to form North York Community Council. PH
1946
First summer playgrounds opened. PH
Sunnybrook purchased by Department of Veterans’ Affairs. PH
Sunnybrook Veterans’ Hospital opened for armed forces. PH
Marion Saver first Miss Canada Winner was from North York SG
1947
Builders had to provide gravel roads in new subdivisions. PH
1948
Willow Theatre, North York’s first movie theatre, opened. Located on Yonge St. between Sheppard and Finch. SG
1949
Water shortages begin. PH
York Mills Baptist Church (102 York Mills Road) dismantled. Pulpit used in Spring Garden Baptist Church.
1950
Recreation Commission established. PH
Memorial Community Hall opened (included one room for a library). PH
1951
The Barrie Highway (later 400) finished. PH
North Yorker Winnie Roach Leuszler first Canadian to swim across English Channel. SG
North York Kiwanis formed. PH
1952
The Boyd Gang, then Canada’s notorious bank robbers, captured in isolated area of North York. SG
Rotary Club formed. PH
Section of Highway 401 west of Yonge was completed. PH
Farmers moved outdoor market to Yonge-Finch as York Farmers Marketing Ltd. PH
1953
York Farmers Marketing Ltd. moved to Thornhill. PH
Gladys Allison headed Library Planning commission. PH
2,000 acre Don Mills project announced, North America’s first privately funded “new town,” a mixed use residential and commercial community. SG
Airfield at De Havilland plant (Downsview Airfield) housed RCAF depot for Eastern Canada. PH
First shopping plaza opened at Lawrence Plaza (corner of Bathurst) -2000 parking spaces – Loblaws – 2 restaurants – 2 banks – 31 retail stores. PH
245 apartments built. PH
1954
Dalziel Pennsylvania German bank barn from 1809 opened as museum (later part of Black Creek Pioneer Village). PH
The swimming pool built in 1935 was destroyed by Hurricane Hazel. JH
Director of Recreation and Director of Parks set up. PH
Formation of Metropolitan Toronto. PH
First amalgamated Board of Education set up. PH
Baycrest opened. PH
1955
Edwards Gardens sold to City of Toronto as a park. PH
Public Library Board appointed. PH
First suburban department store (Henry Morgan & Co) opened at Lawrence Plaza. PH
More classrooms were added to York Mills (Baron Renfrew) School. JH
The Charles W. Jefferys House was moved to allow for the widening of Yonge Street. JH
The York Mills Presbyterian Church cemetery was closed and the land was expropriated for the widening of Yonge Street. JH
1956
Edwards Gardens opened to the public. PH
Widening of Yonge Street was completed. PH
1957
Roy Risebrough retired as chief constable. PH
Parks and Recreation merged. PH
All 13 municipal police forces were combined into Metropolitan Force. PH
The Mirror newspaper opened in Don Mills. PH
Metropolitan Toronto and Regional Conservation Authority formed by merger. PH
Building height restriction lifted (was 35 ft). PH
1958
Water shortages finally end. PH
Bodies from the York Mills Presbyterian cemetery were re-interred in York Cemetery or Forest Lawn Mausoleum when the rest of the church property was sold for development. JH
1959
First permanent Library building opened (Gladys Allison Building). PH
Section of Highway 401 to Bayview completed. PH
The News newspaper opened in Downsview-Weston. PH
1960
York University formed. PH
Don Mills completed. PH
Black Creek Pioneer Village opened. PH
North York Historical Society formed. PH
1961
Charles W. Jefferys died. JH
York University moved to Glendon Hall. PH
1962
Homestead of Alexander Milne destroyed in a three-alarm fire. He had founded the first industry in North York, in the 1820s, home on site of future Edwards Gardens. SG
1963
Sheppard Avenue widened for second time and its new high bridge over the valley west of Yonge completed. PH
Japanese Cultural Centre opened in Don Mills. PH
Expansion of Highway 401 to 12 lanes was begun. PH
Section of Don Valley Parkway opened. PH
1964
Yorkdale News newspaper began. PH
Northern Dancer won the Kentucky Derby – Preakness and Queen’s Plate. PH
Yorkdale Shopping Centre opened (indoor mall – 120 stores). PH
1965
Section of Spadina Expressway (401 to Lawrence) was opened. PH
York University main campus was opened. PH
1966
Sunnybrook Veterans’ Hospital opened to the public. PH
1967
North York became a borough. PH
1968
Ontario Science Centre opened (architect Raymond Moriyama). PH
Comfort Lodge opened. PH
1969
The Enterprise newspaper closed. PH
1970
Fairview Mall opens at Sheppard and Don Mills. First regional shopping centre in northeast Toronto. SG
1973
Mel Lastman elected Mayor.
York Mills subway station opened.
1974
Sheppard and Finch Subway stations opened.
1979
North York incorporated as a city.
1980
Arthur Tunnell, publisher of “Who’s Who in Canada,” died after living in the William Goodwin House for almost 40 years. JH
1981
Yonge Street was to be widened and the William Goodwin House was threatened with demolition. Just ten hours before it was to be demolished, the Ontario Field Naturalists bought it for $1 and had it moved to their property on Leslie Street, beside the 401. It is recognized as the oldest existing house in North York. JH
1982
York Mills (Baron Renfrew) School was closed and eventually occupied by the Metropolitan Toronto Separate School Board. JH
1986
The Millworkers Cottages were moved to a site on Yonge Street and were transformed into The Auberge du Pommier Restaurant. JH
1987
The Auberge du Pommier Restaurant opened. JH
North York Centre subway station opened.
Willow Theatre torn down. Replaced by condominiums. SG
1998
North York amalgamated into Toronto.
2002
Yonge-Sheppard subway line opened.
2005
Maryvale severely damaged in a fire. Restored. Now owned by Toronto Catholic District School Board. SG
Don Mills subway station opened.
2008
Propane facility explosion.
2012
St. John’s Rehabilitation Hospital becomes part of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. St. John’s is Canada’s only hospital providing organ transplant convalescence and Ontario’s only one for burns rehabilitation. SG
2018
Canada’s deadliest pedestrian attack occurred in the North York City Centre district on April 23, 2018. A van collided with numerous pedestrians killing 10 and injuring 16 others on Yonge Street between Finch and Sheppard Avenues. W
Sources:
A North York Historical Society Archives
CE The Canadian Encyclopedia
JH Hopkins, Jeanne. York Mills Heights: Looking Back. Toronto: York Mills Heights Association, 1998.
PH Hart, Patricia W. Pioneering in North York: A History of the Borough. Toronto: General Publishing Company Ltd., 1968.
SG Susan Goldenberg, NYHS Director
W Wikipedia
Compiled by Bill Aird, Past President, North York Historical Society