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The Historical Panels form part of the DUKE Heights Business Improvement Area’s (BIA) vision of improving the Public Realm. A BIA comprises commercial and industrial property owners and their non-residential tenants who join a volunteer Board of Management to carry out improvements and promote economic development within their designated area. Established in 2014, the DUKE Heights’ boundaries are approximately Dufferin Street, Steeles Avenue West, Keele Street, and Sheppard Avenue West.
The DUKE Heights BIA’s vision involves improvements to create an even more welcoming place for businesses, employees, visitors, and community members. What kind of improvements? We sponsored full canopy shade trees, native plants, mural art, street furniture, cycling infrastructure, heritage features, wayfinding maps, and added colour wherever possible.
More precisely, we have contributed to the creation of a new parkette at Finch Avenue West and Dufferin Street; a new walking trail next to the living berm at Sheppard and The Allen; a bold underpass mural named The Beacon; and brightly painted Bell boxes. In addition, we preserved the Finch Avenue West Radio Tower, commissioned the 41-foot-tall Public Art sculpture, The Heights, and installed 22 Historical Panels. We are
involved in the establishment of cycling lanes, bike rings, rainbow-like benches, poll wraps, and markers. We
encourage community involvement, for example, by featuring local photographers in our Annual Photography Contest on our Historical Panels.
When these decade-long efforts combine, we think you’ll agree, we’ve added a sense of vibrancy and success throughout the DUKE Heights BIA and for the City of Toronto. The Historical Panels highlight what once was and what is now. Besides situating the BIA in the Humber River and Don River Watersheds from the Greenbelt in the Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake Ontario, we developed maps identifying Key Points of Interest. The Panels relay the transformation of the Indigenous lands to rural communities to an industrial-commercial hub with an expanding mixed-use urban centre. We proudly celebrate the memory of Elia’s one-room schoolhouse through a dramatic, 41-foot-tall public art sculpture, The Heights. We pay respect to the Peoples of the Michi Saagiig (Mississauga Anishinaabeg) territory as well as the settlers of Elia and Dublin in the hope their memory and legacy lives on for generations to come.
For more information on the sources, please find below a listing of references and photographic sources by each panel’s location. The panel sources are followed by acknowledgments of the generous contributions of people and organizations in addition to a selected Bibliography. A special thank you goes to the North York Historical Society for their volunteer, decades-long work in researching and documenting North York’s history.
We hope you enjoy reading about our past, present, and future plans!
Sincerely,
Chair and Board of Directors of DUKE Heights BIA
Prior to European settlement, First Nations Peoples had a long-standing relationship with the land that continues today. Learning of our entangled histories keeps that memory alive as we collectively build our lives. North York and DUKE Heights BIA reside on land that is Michi Saagiig (Mississauga Anishinaabeg) territory. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with the Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. It has also been occupied by other Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat confederacies. Since 1701, Toronto has been governed by the Dish with One Spoon treaty between the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, and allied nations to peaceably share and care for resources around the Great Lakes.
DUKE Heights BIA Parkette, Finch Avenue West and Dufferin:
StreetG. Ross Lord Park Text. Toronto Region and Conservation Authority (TRCA). Don River Watershed Plan – Nature based Experiences – Report on Current Conditions. 2009. accessed 19 January 2024. p. 15. Website:
https://trcaca.s3.ca-central1.amazonaws.com/app/uploads/2018/10/17165513/Don-Watershed-Plan-Nature-Based.pdf
Image of The Bird in the Hand Inn. Toronto Public Library (TLP). B.J. Gloster. The Bird in Hand Inn. 1847. Pictures – R- 6553. Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Parkette Concept Design Drawing. Courtesy of Envision Sales Inc. (envisioncreates.com).
Photograph of Dufferin Street at Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer unknown. Dufferin St, South of Finch Avenue W., looking west, showing former road bed. 1954 Pictures – R-6200. Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Chesswood Drive at Champagne Drive Panel:
Article relaying Canada Dry Tours, 1981. Kenna, Kathleen. “North York’s Industries Open Doors to Public.” Toronto Star. Tuesday September 16, 1981, pg. N15.
Photograph of the Canada Dry Bottling Plant on Finch Avenue West. City of Toronto Archives (CTA). Photographer Unknown. Canada Dry Building. 1965. Fonds 217 Series 249 File 23 Item 2.
Photograph of the Champagne Centre. Aerial photograph of the Champagne Centre. accessed 5 January 2024. Website: https://champagnecentre.com/gallery/
Photograph of DUKE Cycling Rings. Yu, Sharon. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2022.
Photograph of the “Ontario, Simcoe & Huron Railroad, Engine No. 2, ‘The Toronto’, in Northern Railway yards, west side foot of Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ont., 1881.” TPL. Photographer unknown. Digital Archive Ontario. Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railroad, 1881. Object 267658. Website: https://digitalarchive.tpl.ca/objects/267658
de Boers Drive at Dufferin Street Panel:
Conceptual Drawing of Duke Heights Trail. Marsala, Paul. Allen Road Master Plan Design Board. Courtesy of STUDIO tla 2024.
History of the de Boer Family Furniture Industry. Lu, Vanessa. Toronto Star. De boers Closing after 60 years. Friday February 15, 2011. accessed 6 January 2024.
https://www.thestar.com/business/deboer-s-closing-after-60-years/article_cdd79873-31ce-5954-a171-29224b19361c.html
Photograph of a Don River Valley Deer. Nature in the City – Toronto. Toronto’s largest mammal, the White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Photo post 25 December 2023. accessed 5 February 2024. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=719932706911015&set=a.280055107565446
Photograph of Gerrit de Boer with employees. Slaughter, Mike. Retailers join Idomo owner’s Fight for a common day of rest on Sundays. Toronto Star 8 January 1988 p. A2.
Photograph of William Duncan. TPL. Photographer Unknown. William Duncan. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 16 Con 3W. #356.
Photograph of William Duncan’s House. TPL. Hart, Patricia. William Duncan House. Built 1831. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 16 Con 3W. #364.
Who is Gerrit de Boer? York Memorial Collegiate Institute. Where are they now? accessed Jan 5, 2024. Website:
https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/yorkmemorial/Alumni/Where-Are-They-Now-/Gerrit-De-Boer
Elia Church: 1130 Finch Avenue West Panel:
Article on the growth of Elia. Hilliard, Harold. Keele-Finch Homestead back in 1798. Toronto Star. Tuesday June 22, 1982. p N16.
Article on the local impact of the Railway. Myers, Jay. The train rolled by Brocks’ (sic) front Steps. Mirror, May 16, 1979. North York Historical Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 29, Con.3 West. Rti
Ontario Heritage Designation for Elia Church. Bylaw and Rationale for the Ontario Designation of 1130 Finch Avenue West. 1992. https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/fr/oha/details/file?id=3442
Photograph of Elia Methodist Church, 1130 Finch Avenue West, Photo 1931. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Elia Methodist Church. 1931 Fonds 1548, Series 393, Item 23433.
Photograph of a Mail Pick Up at Elia Rail Stop. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Elia Mailbag ready to be picked up by CNR just south of the crossing. Incoming mail was dropped on the Platform. 1913. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 20 Con 3W Finch Avenue West. #551
Photograph of The Beacon Mural. Hassen, Omar. The Beacon on Finch Ave W at the Go Underpass. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2023.
Vintage Historical Based Calendar – 2005. Jane-Finch.com. Rural Roots of Old Jane – Finch. accessed 16, January, 2024. Community Website: http://jane-finch.com/history/ruralroots.htm
Website for the Reformed Hungarian Church at 1130 Finch Avenue West. Reformed Hungarian Church. accessed 5 January 2024. Website: https://www.reformedhungarianchurch.com/home
Finch Avenue West at Champagne Drive Panel:
Advertisement for Canada Dry Ginger Ale 1940s. Canada Dry is my Thirst Choice. accessed 5 January 2024. Website: https://addio.ecrater.com/p/13511851/canada-dry-ginger-ale-40s
Photograph of a Billboard for Canada Ginger Ale. CTA. E. L. Ruddy Company Limited. Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 4244.
Photograph of the Canada Dry Bottling Plant on Finch Avenue West. CTA. Photographer Unknown. Canada Dry Building. 1965. Fonds 217 Series 249 File 23 Item 2.
Photograph of the Champagne Centre. Photographer Unknown. Aerial photograph of the Champagne Centre. accessed 5 January 2024. Website: https://champagnecentre.com/gallery/
Finch Avenue West at Keele Street – NW and SE Corners Panels:
Article on Brandon Vickerd, “The Heights” Duke Heights BIA. Hules, Alexander. Sculpture by York Professor debuts at Keele and Finch. YFile. 25 April 2023. accessed January 31, 2024. Website:
https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/2023/04/25/sculpture-by-york-professor-debuts-at-keele-and-finch/
Photograph of Elia Public School NE corner of Keele Street and Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Elia Public School (1873-1956) Keele St. Pictures R – 6197, Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Photograph of Elia Public School, 1955. TPL. Chirnside, Ted. Elia Public School. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York History Photographic Collection. #691.
Photograph of Keele Street looking South West to Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Keele St looking southwest at Finch Ave W. Pictures R – 6202 Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Image of Elia Public School at Keele Street and Finch Avenue West inspired “The Heights,” 2023. Vickerd, Brandon. Image of The Heights courtesy of Brandon Vickerd. 2023.
Finch Avenue West at Keele Street Panel:
Article on Elia School and the installation of The Heights. Palamarchuk, Andrew. New Landmark meets visitors on Finch at Keele. Toronto.com. 3 May 2023. accessed January 31, 2024. Website:
https://www.toronto.com/news/new-landmark-greets-visitors-on-finch-at-keele/article_e7e11671-042c-555b-bf73-b8b52c9f55d2.html
Photograph of Elia Public School North East corner of Keele Street and Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Elia Public School (1873-1956) Keele St. Pictures R – 6197, Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Photograph of Elia Public School, 1955. TPL. Chirnside, Ted. Elia Public School North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York History Photographic Collection. #691.
Photograph of Keele Street looking South West to Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Keele St looking southwest at Finch Ave W. Pictures R – 6202 Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Finch Avenue West at Keele Street across from Four Winds Panel:
Image of The Bird in the Hand Inn. TLP. B.J. Gloster. The Bird in Hand Inn. 1847. Pictures – R- 6553. Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Image of Keele Street and Finch Avenue West Elia Public School inspired “The Heights,” 2023. Vickerd, Brandon. Image of The Heights courtesy of Brandon Vickerd 2023.
Photograph of The Restored Radio Tower. Brett, Ida. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2023.
Photograph of The Finch West Subway Station. Sydeqi, Edriss. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2023.
Finch Avenue West at Keele Street, East Side Panel:
Photograph of Barrie GO Rail Crossing at Finch Ave W. Caesar, Murphy. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2023.
Photograph of Elia Church 1130 Finch Avenue West photo 1950’s. TLP. Photographer Unknown. Elia Methodist (United) Church, Finch Avenue W, 1958. Pictures – R- 6193. Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Photograph of Finch Avenue West Level Crossing CP Rail Barrie GO Line, 1965. CTA. Photographer Unknown. Finch Ave W Level Crossing CP Rail Barrie GO Line. 1965. Fonds 217, Series 249, File 31
Photograph of Oil Depots on the north side of Finch Avenue West. Ida, Brett. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2022.
Photograph of The Restored Radio Tower. Ida, Brett. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2023.
Finch Avenue West at Tangiers Road Panel:
Photograph of Elia Community at the Snider Barn Raising, 1401 Finch Avenue West, 1906. TPL. Chirnside, Ted. Snider Barn Raising – 1906 – 1401 Finch Avenue West. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 20, west 1/2; Con 3W Finch Avenue West. #444.
Photograph of The Beacon Mural. Hassan, Omar. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2023.
Finch Hydro Corridor and Dufferin Street Panel:
Photograph of Bumblebee pollinating Wild Lupin. Nature in the City – Toronto. Wild Lupin (Lupinus perennis) with Bumblebee (Bombus spp.). Photo post 2 June 2023. accessed 18 January 2024. Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=611092451128375&set=pcb.611092651128355
Photograph of DUKE Cycling Rings. Yu, Sharon. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2022.
Photograph of Finch Hydro Corridor Cycling Path. Tsuji, Oliver. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2022.
Post regarding a Celebration of Huron-Wendat’s ancestral presence. ASI Heritage. Huron Wendat Day with Heritage Toronto. accessed 27 December, 2023. Website: https://asiheritage.ca/asi-media/huron-wendat-day-with-heritage-toronto/
Report on Lost Archaeological site. Toronto Historical Association. Dufferin or Martin Ross Site. accessed 27 December 2023. Website: http://www.torontohistory.net/dufferin-or-martin-ross-site/
Report on the 2012 Bikeways Implementation Plan. Toronto Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. “Report on Bike Lanes including the Finch Hydro Corridor”. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-46899.pdf
The Origins and Establishment of the York University Busway. Bow, James. “Transit Toronto Public Transit in the GTA, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. The York University Busway. 21 July 2019. accessed 4 January 2024. Website: https://transittoronto.ca/bus/8116.shtml
Flint Road at Alness Street Panel:
Photograph of DUKE Heights Benches with Dogs. Kenny, Mike. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2023.
Photograph of a Salmon swimming upstream in the Humber River. Nature in the City – Toronto. Chinook Salmon jumping in the Humber River. Photo post 13 October 2023. accessed 5 January 2024. Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=680476994189920&set=pcb.680477080856578
Photograph of Two Cyclists in DUKE Heights. Kolodko, David. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2022.
Photograph of York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) Ressin Executive Learning Centre Campus. YEDI. YEDI at 907 Alness St. Photo post 7 August 2019. accessed 5 January 2024. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2324526774320855&set=a.551980383630727
Keele Street at Pond Road Panel:
Article on the Stong Family. Goldenberg, Susan. Historic Stong Family. North York Historical Society. 20 January 2014. accessed 11, February 2024.Website: https://nyhs.ca/historic-stong-family/
Photograph of an Eastern Gray Squirrel. York University. accessed 31 January 2024. Website: https://www.yorku.ca/safety/tips/
Photograph of the Stong Farm and Home. Dawson, A.Ross. Stong Farm. 1976 Photo York University, Toronto. Local Identifier ASC35870: https://digital.library.yorku.ca/node/261753
Photograph of the Stong Farm and Home. Ball, Ann. Stong Farm. Personal Collection 2024.
Photograph of York University Site in 1962. 1962 photograph of then President Murray Ross seated at a desk in the farm field where the York University campus is now located. Photo courtesy of York University Libraries, Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collection, York University photograph collection, ASC01639.
https://digital.library.yorku.ca/york-university-photograph-collection-fonds/murray-ross
Keele Street at St. Regis Crescent Panel:
Archival records of the Women of Elia. United Church Archive of Canada: Elia Church Series 1: Elia United Church, North York (includes Methodist Church), 1900-1964. Women’s Groups Records 1932-1956.
Article on change in North York. Peteran, Beth. Time Marches on in North York …. Enterprise. May 10, 1962. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. TPL. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks. Book 5. Lot 21. Con. 3 West.
Photograph of Elia Women at Snider Barn Raising, Keele Street and Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Ladies present at barn raising on the farm of John Henry Snider. Mr. and Mrs. Snider centre front. 1906. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 20, Con 3W. Finch Avenue West. #958.
Photograph of Fruit. Janice. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2023.
Photograph of Keele Street at an unidentified location in Toronto. CTA. Photographer Unknown. Keele St. 17 July 1919. Fonds 200 Series 372 s0372_ss0084_it0433
Keele Street at Lepage Court Panel:
Photograph of Elia Community Supper at Keele Street south of Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer Unknown. John C. Snider farm, barn raising supper, 1905. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 20, Con 3W. Finch Avenue West. #954.
Photograph of Keele Street looking North to Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Keele St looking North to Finch Ave with Independent Order of Foresters hall at left. Pictures R – 6203. Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Photograph of a Red Fox Photograph. York University. accessed 31 January 2024. Website: https://www.yorku.ca/safety/tips/
Keele Street at Toro Road Panel:
Photograph of DUKE Heights Bell Box Paintings. DUKE Heights Website. Collage of Bell Box Paintings 2022. accessed 6 January 2024. Website: https://dukeheights.ca/public-art-and-placemaking-activations/
Photograph of International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, 132 Toro Road. International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. IUPAT Building at 132 Toro Road. accessed 5 January 2024. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IUPAT.Canada/photos
Photograph of Keele Street, South West at Finch Avenue West. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Keele St looking southwest at Finch Ave W. Pictures R – 6202 Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Photograph of Plane down at Toro Road and Tangiers Road. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Plane that came down during WW1. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 20, Con 3W. Finch Avenue West. #678.
Sheppard Avenue West at Chesswood Drive Panel:
Essay on the First Ontario Railway. Boyles, Derek. Ontario Simcoe and Huron Railway – Groundbreaking & The “Toronto.” Toronto Railway Historical Association. accessed 6 February 2024. Website: https://www.trha.ca/resources/111015.Toronto.1st.Railway.by.Derek.Boles.pdf
History of Downsview. NYHS. Downsview Lands Community. Downsview Places and People at Toronto’s Highest Point. 2021. accessed January 28, 2024. https://nyhs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Downsview-Places-and-People-at-Torontos-Highest-Point.pdf
Photograph of John Bull’s house, Downs View. Hart, Patricia. John Perkins Bull House, 450 Rustic Road, North York, built 1844. North York Local History Collection. North York Library, TPL. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks. Number 5. Lot 16. Con 3 W. #351.
Photograph of the Locomotive Toronto. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railroad, 1881. Digital Archive Ontario. Object 267658.
Photograph of the Toronto Skyline from Montecassino Hotel and Event Centre. View from Montecassino Hotel. 2022. accessed 6 January 2024. Website: https://montecassino.ca/
Sheppard Avenue West at Tuscan Gate Panel:
Photograph of a Collective Member planting at Downsview Park. Black Farmers and Food Growers Collective. accessed 5 January 2024. Website: https://torontoblackfarmersandfoodgrowerscollective.yourwebsitespace.com/
Photograph of Joseph Shepard’s House. TPL. Photographer Unknown. Shepard House (then Isaac Harrison Home). 1968. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks. Book 5. Lot 19.2 Con W. #986.
Photograph of a Shelter Rabbit. Toronto Animal Shelter, North Region. Rabbit waiting for adoption. accessed 5 January 2024. Website: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/animals-pets/animal-shelters/
Sheppard Avenue on the Median at William R Allen Road and Dufferin Street Panel:
Drawing of Conifer Tree Identifiers. Nature in the City – Toronto. Toronto Conifer Identifiers. Photo post 8 December 2023. accessed 5 February 2024. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=710315451206074&set=a.280055084232115
Drawing of Maple Tree Identifiers. Nature in the City – Toronto. Toronto Maple Identifiers. Photo post 1 November 2023. accessed 5 February 2024. Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=690863893151230&set=pcb.690857439818542
History of Dodecadandy. ArtworxTO. Dodecadandy – Part 1. accessed 21 January, 2024.
https://www.artworxto.ca/on-demand/dodecadandy-part-1
Photograph of Chair William R. Allen. CTA. Alexandra Studios Ltd. Metro Chairman William R. Allen at chairman’s desk. 1962. Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 5007.
Photograph of Dodecadandy. Borins, Daniel and Marman, Jennifer. Photograph, personal collection 2022.
Photograph of a Snapping Turtle. Nature in the City – Toronto. Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Toronto’s (un) official reptile. Photo post 23 November 2023. accessed 5 February 2024. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=702186368685649&set=a.280055084232115
Toronto’s plan to support Biodiversity. Toronto City Planning and Parks, Forestry and Recreation with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. Toronto’s Biodiversity Strategy, 2019.
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-136906.pdf
Steeles Avenue West at Alness Street Panel:
Photograph of Northern Saw-whet Owl. Nature in the City – Toronto. Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) at the Spring Bird Festival in Colonel Samuel Smith Park. Photo post 14 December 2023. accessed 5 January 2024. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=713425334228419&set=pcb.713425527561733
Photograph of Steeles Avenue West Rail Crossing at the Barrie GO line. CTA. Steeles crossing CP Rail, 1965. Fonds 217 City of North York, Series 249 Images of North York, File 35.
Steeles Avenue West at Dufferin Street Panel:
Dufferin Street History. Marshall, Sean. A Brief History of Dufferin Street. Spacing.ca. 5 August 2013. accessed 6 January 2024. Website: https://spacing.ca/toronto/2013/08/05/history-dufferin-street/
Image of The Birds of Toronto. Nature in the City – Toronto. Poster art from the Spring Bird Festival. See what’s hatching this year at toronto.ca/spring-bird-festival. Photo post 5 January 2024. accessed 6 January 2024. Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=726170176287268&set=a.280055084232115
Photograph of the Greenbush Hotel. TPL. Pearson, Alfred. Toronto Richmond Stage Coach (Executive Department) (ca. 1890). CTA. Fonds 16; Toronto Transit Commission. Series 71 Central Photograph Series of the Toronto Transit Commission. Item 9026.
Photograph of Troyer’s 8-Sided Barn. Hellman, Stephen. Troyer’s Octagonal Barn. Personal collection 1974.
Troyer’s Barn Restored. Country Heritage Park. Our Buildings. accessed 30 January 2024. Website: https://www.countryheritagepark.com/our-buildings?lightbox=dataItem-l0r1nw885
Troyer’s Barn moved to Milton. Darcovich, Olga. “Octagonal Barn moved to Milton.” The Canadian Champion. August 9, 1978. p. B8. accessed 30 January 2024. http://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/MPL/MPL002496086pf_1188.pdf
Steeles Avenue West at Gerry FitzGerald Drive Panel:
Photograph of Dr. John Gerald FitzGerald. FitzGerald, James. What Disturbs Our Blood. Dr. John Gerry FitzGerald, 1912. accessed 6 January 2024. Website: https://www.jamesfitzgerald.ca
Photograph of Downy Woodpecker. Nature in the City – Toronto. Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) in Lambton Woods. Photo post 19 October 2023. Assessed 5 January 2024. Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=683940607176892&set=pcb.683940633843556
Steeles Avenue West at Keele Street Panel:
Article on painter Ken Danby’s Great-great-grandfather who settled in Elia. Sault Ste. Marie Library and Archives. Remember this? Ken Danby – The beginning of a Canadian Legend. 16 December 2018. accessed 5 January 2024. Website: https://www.sootoday.com/columns/remember-this/remember-this-ken-danby-the-beginning-of-a-canadian-legend-492098
Keele’s Carlton Racetrack in Context. Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The Way We Were. August 2000. accessed 6 February 2024. Website:
https://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/sample-page/the-way-we-were/
Photograph of Elia Church at 1300 Finch Avenue West. TPL. Salmon, James Victor. Elia Methodist (United) Church, Finch Avenue W. 1958. Pictures – R – 6193. Baldwin Collection of Canadiana.
Photograph of Greenbush Inn. City of Toronto Archives (CTA). Galbraith, Alexander. Green Bush Inn, Yonge Street, Steele’s Corners, North York Township (now Toronto, Canada). 1920. Fonds 1568, Item 232.
Photograph of Steeles Avenue West. TPL. Chirnside, Ted. Steeles looking east from Keele Street Toronto, ON. Object Number 2001-2-308.
Steeles Avenue West at Petrolia Road Panel:
Photograph of Barn Raising for Local Elia farmer, Joe Jackson. TPL. Dixon. Joe Jackson’s Barn Raising, 1899. North York Local History Collection. North York Library. North York Historical Society Scrapbooks, Book 5. Lot 20 Con 3W. #955.
Photograph of Greenbush Inn. CTA. Galbraith, Alexander. Green Bush Inn, Yonge Street, Steele’s Corners, North York Township (now Toronto, Canada). 1920. Fonds 1568, Item 232.
William R. Allen Road at Kennard Avenue Panel:
Photograph of the Allen Road Berm. Ball, Ann. Allen Road Berm. Personal Collection 2023.
Photograph of Chair William R. Allen. CTA. Alexandra Studios Ltd. Metro Chairman William R. Allen at Chairman’s desk. 1962. Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 5007.
Photograph of the Earl of Dufferin. Notman & Fraser/Library and Archives Canada/PA-028628. Earl of Dufferin Governor General of Canada (1872-1878). accessed 7 March 2024. Website: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/frederick-temple-blackwood-1st-marquess-of-dufferin-and-ava
Photograph of the Earl of Dufferin (nee Frederick Temple Blackwood). © Topley Studio / Library and Archives Canada // Bibliothèque et Archives Canada / PA-026388 accessed 7 March 2024. Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_eng.aspx?id=1527
Photograph of the Hawk. Bowes, Xander. Hawk in Flight. DUKE Heights BIA Photo Competition 2021.
Photograph of a Mulberry Harvest. Not Far from the Tree. Mulberry Harvest. accessed 5 January 2024. Website: https://notfarfromthetree.org/fruit/mulberries/
While a definitive history of Toronto is unwritten to date, researchers and historians have explored Toronto and North York’s past in many excellent works. Patricia Hart’s Pioneering in North York: A History of the Borough remains the most comprehensive work on North York history. In addition, The North York Local History Collection at the North York Public Library hosts an outstanding collection of historical maps, photographs, books and articles.
Blake, Vershoyle Benson and Greenhill, Ralph. Rural Ontario. Toronto: University of Toronto Press 1969.
Brown, Ron. Lost Villages, Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2020.
FitzGerald, James. What Disturbs Our Blood: A Son’s Quest to Redeem the Past, Toronto: Random House, 2010.
Gillham, Elizabeth McClure. Early Settlements of King Township Ontario, King City Ontario: The Hunter Rose Company, 1975.
Guillet, Edwin C. Pioneer Life in the County of York. Toronto: Hess Trade Typesetting, 1885.
Hart, Patricia. Pioneering in North York: A History of the Borough. Don Mills: General Publishing Company Limited, 1968.
Hayes, Derek. Historical Atlas of Toronto. Vancouver: Douglas and McIntyre, 2008.
MacNevin, Wanda. By us! For us! Altona: FriesenPress, 2022.
Ontario Genealogical Society Toronto Branch. Elia Church Cemetery, North York, ON. Listed as NYK-006 in the Directories of Cemeteries in the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto and Regional Municipality of York, 1989.
Potter, Penny. Rebellion in North York, 1837. Willowdale: North York Historical Society, 1987.
Toronto and Region Conservation CFN: 37590. Don River Watershed Plan – Nature Based Experiences – Report on Current Conditions, 2009.
Wise, Leonard and Gould, Allan. Toronto Street Names. Toronto: Firefly Books Ltd, 2011.
Wise, Leonard and Gould, Allan. Toronto Street Names: An Illustrated Guide to their Origins. Willowdale, ON: Firefly Books, 2000.
Downsview Lands Community. Downsview Places and People at Toronto’s Highest Point. accessed 28 January 2024. Booklet: https://nyhs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Downsview-Places-and-People-at-Torontos-Highest-Point.pdf
McGill University. The Canadian County Atlas Digital Project. McGill University, 2001. accessed 6 January 2024. https://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/searchmapframes.php
The Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario, The Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario. Preserving the contributions of Upper Canada’s early settlers from Pennsylvania – since 1951. accessed 1 January 2024. Website: https://www.pgfso.com/
TRAC. Don River Watershed Plan – Nature based Experiences – Report on Current Conditions. 2009. accessed January 19, 2024. Website:
https://trcaca.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/app/uploads/2018/10/17165513/Don-Watershed-Plan-Nature-Based.pdf
TRCA. Map of the Don River Watershed, 2009. Don River Watershed Plan – Beyond Forty Steps, 2009. accessed 12 December 2023. Website:
https://trcaca.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/app/uploads/2018/10/17165510/Don-River-Beyond-40-Steps.pdf
TRCA. Map of the Humber River Watershed, 2023. TRCA. September 25, 2023. accessed 12 December 2023. https://trcaca.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/app/uploads/2023/10/10124414/Map-01-HRWP-Subwatersheds_2023-09_06_SCALED.jpg
University of Toronto. Origins of Connaught Laboratories, Chapter One. accessed 6 January 2024. Website: https://connaught.research.utoronto.ca/about/history/article1
Links to Maps
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/maps/
https://maps.library.utoronto.ca/datapub/digital/NG/historicTOmaps/1878yor-m-york-nf.jpg
https://digital.library.mcgill.ca/countyatlas/searchmapframes.php
DUKE Heights BIA between Dufferin & Keele and Steeles & Sheppard. It’s the northernmost business hub of the city of Toronto powering business growth and opportunities for the city and beyond. We promote the potential of the area, provide support to businesses in the area and inject new resources to tap into the potential of the community.
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DUKE Heights BIA between Dufferin & Keele and Steeles & Sheppard. It’s the northernmost business hub of the city of Toronto powering business growth and opportunities for the city and beyond. We promote the potential of the area, provide support to businesses in the area and inject new resources to tap into the potential of the community.