Early Don Mills
Early Don Mills
Though now known as a modern suburban development, Don Mills was once the site of a small farming community. Prior to that, aboriginal communities used the nearby branches of the Don River as transportation routes as well as sources of food and water.
While archaeological remains of an aboriginal presence may still survive beneath this soil, more is known of the European settlement that began in the early 1800s. Settlers like James Sampson and Rudolph Pabst (remembered in street names) established farms in the area. They were joined by the Hogg and Gray families who operated a gristmill (still standing on the Donalda Golf Club) and two sawmills on the West Don River nearby. By the 1850s, the crossroads of Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue had a school and an inn. Further north stood a general store that also included the Don Post Office (est. 1868) and the local library (est. 1896).
In the 1950s, this rural community was transformed into one of Canada's most significant post-war suburban developments.
From Farmland to "New Town"
In the midst of a housing shortage after World War II, E.P. Taylor, one of Canada's most powerful businessmen, acquired over 800 ha of farmland here. From 1953 to 1965, Taylor's companies transformed the farmland into one of the world's most innovative "New Towns", complete with 28,000 residents, over 70 industries, one of Canada's earliest suburban shopping plazas, schools, and recreation facilities.
Don Mills was the first North American land development of its kind to be entirely planned and funded by the private sector. Its master plan was designed by Macklin Hancock in consultation with some of the world's leading urban planners. Centred around a common commercial and civic area, neighbourhoods are isolated from heavy traffic by looping roads and culs-de-sac. Light industry was welcomed on the edges of the plan.
In an effort to create a landmark Modernist community, careful attention was paid to everything from the architectural style and position of buildings to their exterior materials and colours. Existing trees were retained wherever possible and generous green space was provided.
The Don Mills Legacy
Don Mills has become one of the most discussed planned communities in Canadian history. Challenged, on the one hand, by critics of sprawling suburban development, it has also received praise from around the world for its attempt to create a fully functioning town where residents can live, work, and play.
The development's success inspired imitation. After Don Mills, large private developments became the norm, with developers assuming the costs for the construction of public infrastructure such as roads and services for water and sewage. The road system of traffic-calming culs-de-sac and looping streets, popularized here, became synonymous with the suburbs.
The central commercial core in which you stand has changed over the years, with a major redevelopment beginning in 2007. Don Mills' striking master plan remains largely intact - a landmark in urban planning.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.