In 1686 the vicinage of Lake Simcoe, especially the district between Lake Simcoe and Lake Huron, appears to have been commonly known as the Toronto region. We deduce this from the old contemporary maps, on one or other of which Matchedash bay is the Bay of Toronto; the river Severn is the Toronto river; Lake Simcoe itself is Toronto Lake; the chain of Lakes passing south-eastward from the neighbourhood of Lake Simcoe and issuing by the Trent in the Bay of Quinte is also the Toronto river o...

In 1873, Henry Scadding, former rector of Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity, wrote the definitive history of early Toronto. His detailed portrait of the streets, customs and prominent citizens is a goldmine of sights and insights into a Toronto long-since disappeared.Toronto of Old was first reprinted in 1966 and has been out of print since 1973. The later version, edited by Frederick H. Armstrong is shorter than the original, with Scadding’s references to outside cities and cha...

In 'Toronto of Old,' Henry Scadding presents a rich tapestry of the city's history, weaving together vivid narratives and meticulous research that captures the spirit of 19th-century Toronto. The book employs a narrative style that combines the precision of historical documentation with the charm of anecdotal storytelling, allowing readers to vividly envision the everyday life, cultural dynamics, and pivotal events that shaped early Toronto. Through his vivid descriptions and thoughtful re...

In "Toronto of Old," Henry Scadding offers a meticulously researched and richly detailed chronicle of the city's history from the early settlements to the mid-nineteenth century. Writing in an engaging narrative style, Scadding blends historical facts with evocative descriptions of the landscape, architecture, and social fabric of Toronto. His work serves not only as a historical account but also as a literary artifact that captures the spirit and character of the city during its formative...