You Look Good Toronto

Michael Demb
Jun 29
3 min read

Introduction

My name is Alexander. For over 17 years I have been leading walking tours of Toronto and teaching tourism and communication skills at Hunter College. Today’s lecture is devoted to the history of the city of Toronto: we will explore how geography, culture, and infrastructure have shaped its character from the first settlements to the present day.

1. The Concept of a City and Its “Layers”

A city is not merely a collection of buildings and roads; it is a multi-layered system in which each era leaves its mark. Much like archaeological strata, Toronto reveals at least nine historical layers, from Indigenous settlements to the modern metropolis.

2. Indigenous Peoples and Their Way of Life

For more than a thousand years, Indigenous peoples lived in small communities of two to four families on the land that would become Toronto. They would stay in one place for about ten to fifteen years, cultivating the “Three Sisters” (corn, squash, and beans), before moving on when the soil’s fertility declined.

3. The First European Settlements

In the mid-18th century, the French established Fort Rouillé on the northern shore of Lake Ontario as a fur-trading post with Indigenous nations. After the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), control of the region passed to the British. In 1793, Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe moved the capital of Upper Canada from Niagara to Toronto, recognizing the strategic advantages of its protected harbor and nearby islands.

4. Simcoe’s Grid and the “Lot” System

Simcoe laid out a rectangular grid of streets: the first ten blocks (the northern part of today’s downtown) were marked by double lines, and beyond them, each street and lot was granted to settlers on the condition that they build a house and driveway. This plan established the infrastructure—roads, bridges, and ports—needed for both defense and development.

5. Population Growth and Immigration

Throughout the 19th century, waves of British, Irish, German, and other European immigrants flowed through Toronto. Rural settlements such as Yorkville and Markham sprang up around mills, general stores, and churches. By the end of the century, the city’s population had surged thanks to the arrival of railways and the rise of industry.

6. Thornton Blackburn– Toronto’s First “Taxi” Driver

In 1830, former slave Thornton Blackburn crossed Lake Ontario to bring his wife and child to safety and settled in Toronto. With no public transport available, he began ferrying passengers in a horse-drawn carriage—becoming the city’s first “taxi driver.” His bright yellow-and-red carriage is immortalized on a painting by a 19th-century Canadian artist.

7. Development of the Transportation Network

With the construction of Yonge Street (formerly the Northern Highway and the Military Road), Toronto became connected to the rest of Canada and the United States. In the 20th century, streetcars and buses gave way to automobiles, while most of the city’s streams were buried—save for the Don and Humber rivers, which remain visible today.

8. The Influence of Robert Moses and Urban Planners

American urban planner Robert Moses’s vision of high-speed highways inspired Canadian officials. The proposed “Toronto Expressway” was partially built, but citizen protests—particularly by activists in Kensington Market and the so-called “Republic of Rosedale” in Riverdale—halted further construction and preserved historic neighborhoods.

9. The Modern Landscape and Infrastructure

Today Toronto is Canada’s largest city and the fourth-largest in North America, home to over 3 million residents (7 million in the Greater Toronto Area). Its rapid growth is fueled by high-rise construction and suburban expansion. The waterfront has been revitalized with projects like the Harbourfront Park, Love Park, and an annual sailing regatta, making the city a magnet for both living and tourism.

10. The City as a “Third Place”

Beyond home and work, Toronto offers many “third places”—social clubs, parks, art spaces, and cafés—where people of diverse backgrounds meet and connect. The city’s aesthetic is expressed through street art, the facades of historic buildings, and contemporary architectural interventions that honor past eras.

ConclusionThe history of Toronto is a story of integrating natural features, cultural diversity, and bold urban planning. By understanding its layers, we gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s spirit and the rich heritage that spans from Indigenous communities to the thriving modern metropolis.