Some Toronto Neighbourhood names simply refer to local landmarks such as: The Beaches, Don Valley Village, Rouge Park, High Park, Humber Bay Shores and Hoggs Hollow. While the origin of other Toronto neighbourhood names are less obvious. Windfields is named after a former world class horse farm, Eatonville after a former iconic Canadian department store, and Christie Pitts after a former brick quarry. Saw, timber and grist mills on the banks of Toronto rivers were the impetus for the earliest neighbourhoods such as York Mills, Don Mills, Lambton Mills, and Old Mill. Many of Toronto’s early pioneers established neighbourhoods that bare their names today such as Davisville Village, Baby Point, Lawrence Park, Playter Estates, and Chaplin Estates. Cabbagetown was named after the Irish families that first settled in that neighbourhood and grew cabbages on their front lawns. Topham Park is named after a Canadian War Hero. The Junction refers to a criss-cross of railway lines that define a west-end neighbourhood. Next time you meet friends for brunch or a visit to a neighbourhood farmers market whether it be in Leslieville, Riverside, Riverdale, Trinity Bellwoods or any of over 460 Greater Toronto Area neighbourhoods check out the story behind that neighbourhoods name. It may just surprise you.

David Dunkelman – Author, Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods