Toronto is the most populated city in Canada, with a population of 2.93 million. This multi-cultural and diverse city also started as a small town before. Learn more about the history of Toronto in this article.

The Origins of Toronto

The Native Mississauga were the earliest settler in Toronto. But as they were nomadic in nature, they constantly move from one area to another and left the place. In 1615, the first European to reach Toronto came. He was Etienne Brule, but he did not settle in town. Instead, the first European settlement happened in 1750 when Fort Rouille was built.

The Seven Years War that happened in 1756 to 1763 resulted to the turn over of the area to Britain. That was when John Graves Simcoe, the first governor of Upper Canada established a new town and named it York, in honor of the Duke of York. He also declared the town as the capital of Upper Canada.   

Immigrants at Toronto

During the war in 1813, Americans took over Toronto and burned several establishments in town. But soon after the war ended and the Americans left, many British immigrants came to settle in. Despite the damages left by the war, Toronto’s condition improved. In 1827, the Toronto University was founded. But after five years, cholera outbreak caused the town to deteriorate again. It surprisingly recovered fast and soon more establishments were built in town.

The first post office in town opened in 1833. After a year, the town was renamed into Toronto. Gas street lights were installed in 1841, but it suffered damages again caused by fire in 1849. St Lawrence Hall was built the following year, and the town continued to grow. Primary modes of transportation were also developed at these times. In 1853, the railway reached the town and horse drawn streetcars became popular in 1861. Electric streetcars were soon developed after 30 years.

It was in 1867 when Toronto was declared as Ontario’s capital. Since then, more immigrants came to the city. By 1891, there were about 180, 000 people living in Toronto.

The Rise and Fall of Toronto

A huge fire once again damaged the city in 1904. But despite suffering losses, Toronto recovered little by little. In 1914, the Ontario Museum was built and in 1927, the Union Station opened to the public. Just as Toronto has been climbing up the top again, the depression knocked the city again in 1930. But with the war came prosperity too, causing the population of the city to increase rapidly. The city, once again, rise from adversity.

The first subway line was launched in 1954, the Yorkdale Shopping Centre opened in 1964, while the Toronto City Hall was established one year after. More developments happened afterwards, including the founding of the Ontario Science Museum (1969), the inauguration of the CN Tower (1975), Eaton Centre (1977), Roy Thomson Hall (1982), and so on.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

At present, Toronto is a successful city.  It has become a major financial center, and is still progressing. It has endured a lot and became stronger with time.

Up next are fun and exciting annual events in Toronto.

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