Toronto's Historical Plaques

Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

West Toronto Junction

Here in the east side of a park at 275 Keele Street you will find a 1989 Toronto Historical Board plaque. Here's what it says:

West Toronto Junction began as the Canadian Pacific Railway stop for the Toronto Grey and Bruce, The Credit Valley, and The Ontario and Quebec Lines. In 1883 lawyer D.W. Clendenan purchased 100 ha nearby, laid out streets and sold building lots. After achieving village status, then absorbing neighbouring Carleton and Davenport, the municipality was incorporated as a Town in 1889. The CPR erected repair shops and freight yards here. By 1909, when it was annexed by the City of Toronto, "The Junction" had become a major industrial centre boasting such enterprises as Heintzman & Company Pianos, Wilkinson Ploughs, the Union Stock Yards and a Federal Customs House. The area voted to prohibit the sale of liquor in 1903 and after many plebiscites has remained dry. In 1982, despite public opposition, Canadian Pacific demolished the historic West Toronto Station.

Location Co-ordinates: 43.662412 -79.462346

Photo by Alan L Brown - September 2006

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