Old Mill

HISTORY: The historic Old Mill neighbourhood located on the banks of the Humber River was a favourite fishing and hunting spot for people of the First Nations Tribes long before the first European pioneers settled here in the 1790s. In 1793 the Kings Mill - the forerunner to today's Old Mill - was built in order to process lumber for the first homes in Toronto, then known as the Town of York. A series of fires forced the Mill to be re-built three times. Today, the remains of the last grist mill, destroyed in the fires of 1881 have been incorporated into the walls of the newly constructed Old Mill Inn - a wonderful, intimate boutique hotel attached to the Old Mill restaurant complex. The Old Mill restaurant and Tea Garden was opened in 1914 at the outbreak of World War I. The Old Mill attracted a clientele from all over the city and doubled as a sales office for Home Smith and Company, which developed this neighbourhood in the 1920s and 30s.

HOMES: The houses in this neighbourhood were built between 1920 and 1940. These distinctly Tudor style homes range in size from cozy two-bedroom bungalows to four bedroom two-storey houses. All of the houses are detached and contain many decorative features like leaded glass windows, rich wood trim and hardwood floors. Many of the houses back onto the ravine or overlook the Old Mill and the Humber River.
The most diverse street in this neighbourhood is Old Mill Road. This street contains a mix of houses, a co-op apartment building, a rental apartment building, and a few luxury condominiums. Many of these homes command a spectacular view of the Humber River Valley.

SHOPPING: The Bloor West Village shopping district is a 5-10 minute walk from most of the homes in this neighbourhood. This shopping district is known for its European food shops, gift shops and specialty stores. Residents of this neighbourhood are also within close proximity of the Kingsway Village shopping district located just west of the Bloor Street Bridge at Royal York and Bloor and the Kingsway Theatre - a repertory moviehouse.

RECREATION: Etienne Brule Park, situated across the street from the Old Mill Restaurant, features a paved trail that follows the route of the Humber River and is perfect for walking, jogging, cycling and, in the winter, cross-country skiing. Etienne Brule Park is also a popular spot for picnics and for fishing in the Humber River. Across the street from the park is the Old Mill Tennis Club which contains four courts that are open to the public at designated times.

SCHOOLS:
(P) Humbercrest, 14 St. Marks Rd., (416) 394-2370
(PH) Runnymede CI. 569 lane St.. (416) 394-3200
(5) St. PiusX, 71 JaneSt. (416) 393-5237

TRANSPORTATION: This neighbourhood is well served by public transit. The Old Mill subway station on Old Mill Trail at Bloor Street, and the Jane subway station at Jane and Bloor Streets connect passengers to the Bloor-Danforth subway line. Motorists are 20 minutes away, both from downtown Toronto and the Pearson International Airport.

©Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods

© Andrea Morrison, 2005-2009, Sales Representative, National Chairman’s Club Award Winner. All rights reserved.
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage Bloor West Village Office | Phone 416-762-8255

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