Wonder how Spadina got its name? The avenue was built in 1836 and ran south from the hilltop Spadina house. The house got its name from the Anishinaabemowin word “ishpadinaa,” meaning “a place on a hill,” because it was an important place of high ground connecting the Upper and Lower Great Lakes.

Did the U.S. ever invade Canada? Niagara Street and the entire surrounding neighbourhood was a garrison for defending the city during the War of 1812. Tecumseth Street commemorates the famed diplomat that led the Confederacy of Sovereign Indigenous allies that helped repel American invaders.

Built on beer? Bloor is one of Toronto’s most recognizable streets. In 1833, Joseph Bloore built a brewery in the Rosedale Valley Ravine, and the road that connected it to Yorkville was named Bloor Street. Its legacy lives on as the road was developed to carry automobiles, streetcars, and subways.

Hello Toronto! Welcome to an open history classroom dedicated to unpacking the hidden history that surrounds us. Do you recognize any streets or landmarks you in these maps from the City of Toronto Archives? What streets are you curious about?

Commemorating Corruption and Slave Trafficking? The first Upper Canadian governor named Yonge Street for his friend, Sir George Yonge. Removed as governor of the Cape Colony for supporting illegal slave trafficking, Yonge is known as one of the most corrupt administrators in South Africa's history.

Curious about how your streets have changed over time? Check out this visual history of Yonge and Dundas made using historical maps of Toronto between 1818-1924. Isn't it crazy how much it's changed? Made using ArcGIS’ amazing Toronto Historic Maps Viewer: www.arcgis.com/apps/View/in...