Did you know that Yonge Street is considered the oldest street in the city of Toronto? There were other numerous native trails in the area when York was settled but Yonge street is considered the oldest street running at 53 miles long. It still serves as the dividing line between east and west of the city to this day.
The Beginning
Yonge Street was made a street in 1794 during the War of the First Coalition. The street was named after Sir George Yonge, an expert on ancient roman roads. He was the dear friend of Ontario’s first colonial administrator, John Graves Simcoe. Yonge Street runs east to west and connects the shores of Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe and is sometimes referred to the “Main Street” of Toronto. The Street was built to provide communication between York and the upper lakes in the event that the colony was cut off from Michilimackinac. It was originally a native route that avoided the marshes of Holland River.
In 1794, Deputy Surveyor General Augustus Jones was tasked with marking the route of Yonge Street. By the end of 1794, the task was complete. Work on the route was halted until 1795 when the Queen’s Rangers took over. They began at what is now Eglington Avenue and extended to Bloor Street in 1796. By 1828, the entire southern portion was solidified with gravel.
Modern Day Yonge Street
The eastern branch of the subway, “Line 1” is located on Yonge Street along with Sony Centre of the Performing Arts, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Eaton Centre, Opposite the north end of Eaton Centre lies Yonge-Dundas Square. You can also find a few of Canada’s tallest buildings located in the Financial District. The location of businesses on Yonge Street make it the prime spot for living. Residential towers flank the section of Yonge Street that is just north of Dundas Street. There are also plans for a condominium tower on the southwest quadrant of the intersection of Yonge and Bloor. The street also passes through popular neighbourhoods such as Richmond Hill and Newmarket.
If you are looking for more information of if Yonge Street could be the place for you, email us at Mayssoun@realtor4.com. We would love to help you find out if this historic street could offer you everything you need. To find out more about our amazing city, be sure to visit the rest of our blogs. Toronto is one amazing place!