West Gormley

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West Gormley

      History:

      West Gormley is one of the oldest communities in Richmond Hill dating back to 1905. The James Bay Railway, later known as the CN Railway laid tracks through West Gormley in 1906. South of the Stouffville Sideroad, a two storey station was built in 1907. Businesses and industry quickly sprouted up around the station. As these businesses began to flourish their owners constructed grand houses on Gormeley Road West which became the main residential street in the town.

      The Gormley station brought prosperity to the entire area especially for the local farmers who shipped milk and other produce to the city from here. However; after World War II, truck transportation began to replace the railway as the primary mode of transport for industry. This new preferred mode of transportation led to the gradual decline in business on the Gormley railway line and at the station. While the station would eventually be demolished the railway line continues to operate and to be a part of the West Gormley landscape. Ironically, West Gormley has found new life once again in part due to the railway, with the opening of the Gormley Go Train station in 2016.

      Overview:

      West Gormley is a small rural hamlet located near the south east corner of Leslie Street and the Stouffville Sideroad. The entire neighbourhood consists of just a handful of streets including Gormley Road East, Gormley Road West, Gormley Court, Station Road and Farmer Court. Gormley Road West is the main street that runs through the neighbourhood. On this street you will find the Gormley Church as well as a collection of heritage homes that are over 100 years old. A rail line owned by Canadian National Railway runs through the middle of the West Gormley neighbourhood. This rail line is CN’s primary freight corridor connecting Greater Toronto to Northern Ontario

      West Gormley is designated as a “settlement area” within the environmentally important Oak Ridges Moraine. West Gormley also has a Heritage Conservation District status due to its fine collection of heritage homes and its proud history as an important railway town. Another railway; the Gormley Go Station is the newest landmark in the neighbourhood. This station has the distinction of being the last stop on the Richmond Hill Go Train and bus line that connects commuters to downtown Toronto’s Union Station.

      Lifestyle:

      To the west are various shopping plazas along Bayview Avenue and in nearby Stouffville. Or to the east for something different residents can enjoy Main Street Stouffville’s shops and restaurants.

      Homes:

      West Gormley has a total of 23 buildings within the hamlet listed on the Richmond Hill Inventory of Buildings of Architectural and Historical Importance. There is a variety of heritage building styles dating from the mid-19th century onward, in particular brick houses from the Edwardian Era in the Queen Anne, Four-square, and Edwardian Classical styles.

      Recreation:

      Jefferson Forest off Stouffville Road is perfect for a leisurely stroll or more vigorous hiking. Mountain biking is another popular activity on this trail.

          West Gormley Stats

          Walkability:

          Low

          Bikeability:

          Medium

          Public Transit:

          High

          Affordability:

          Medium

          Greenspace:

          High

          Recreation:

          Medium

           

          Legend: Low, Medium, High

          Commute Times

          Time to Closest Shopping Mall:
          15 Minutes
          Time to GO Bus or Train Station:
          5 Minutes
          Time To Hospital:
          20 Minutes
          Time to Toronto Pearson International Airport
          30 Minutes
          Time to Closest Highway:
          15 Minutes

          * All commuting times provided are approximate times only. Commute times may increase or decrease depending on where you live within the neighbourhood and the time of day i.e rush hour versus off hour commutes. Time estimates to public transit are based on walking distance or bus line connection whichever is quicker. All other commute times on the chart above are based on drive times.