The inhabitants of ancient “Toronto” were peoples interested in hunting the region’s game, which, at the time, included caribou, mammoths, and mastodons (Benn 2006). These semi-transient individuals became more permanent settlers when crops, including corn, beans, and tobacco, were introduced. Europeans were present during the 17th century, however, official European settlements did not occur until France occupied the city in the 18th century.
9000 BCE - 1600 CE: ANCIENT TORONTO
Source: www.toronto.ca
18TH CENTURY
1750 - 1763: French Occupation
French occupation of Toronto was primarily attributable to the strategic location of the city, from the perspectives of both trade and warfare.
1754 - 1763: Seven Years’ War/Treaty of Paris
The Seven Years’ War was composed of many conflicts, including warfare between Great Britain and France. Toronto became a primary site of wartime barracks and resulting destruction. Ultimately, the British made headway into the land north of the Great Lakes, including Toronto. The Treaty of Paris, in 1763, transferred the region’s land from French to British power.
1763 - 1867: British Occupation
Under British rule, “Toronto,” or the City of York, experienced the War of 1812. The city played a key role in this conflict between Britain and United States, which led to its population increase and eventual incorporation.
Source: Toronto Public Library
19TH CENTURY
Source: www.wikipedia.com
1834: Municipal Incorporation
In 1834, the City of York became the incorporated City of Toronto. The change was made in order to address inadequacies of the city’s public services in respect to its rapidly increasing population. Moreover, the former town of York is renamed 'Toronto' to distinguish itself from New York. The boundaries are Bathurst Street to the west, Lot Street (now Queen Street) to the north, and Parliament Street to the east.
1849: The First Great Fire of Toronto
Known as the Cathedral Fire, this was the first major fire in the history of Toronto, Canada. Most of the buildings that burned down were made of wood, so in response, the city changed building codes to prevent future losses of this magnitude.
1856: The Railroad Arrives from Montreal
The opening of the Grand Trunk Railway line between Toronto and Montreal enabled trade between the two cities, and across Canada, to increase in volume, bringing new wealth to the city, as well as new residents.
1858: Formation of the Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands were formed when a severe storm caused an increase in water levels in the Toronto Harbor, which then covered the beaches between the mainland and the newly formed islands.
20TH CENTURY
Source: www.toronto.ca
1904: The Second Great Fire of Toronto
This second significant fire within Toronto’s history burned the majority of the city’s central business district, destroying nearly 104 buildings and totaling $10.3 million in damages (Mangione 2014). In response, stricter safety laws were enacted, and the city’s fire department was enhanced.
1929: TSX Crashes
The fear of an uncertain market caused the Toronto Stock Exchange to crash, which led the city, and the country, into the Great Depression.
1967: The Amalgamation of Toronto
In 1967, and then again in 1998, the political borders of Toronto were expanded to include surrounding municipalities.
1976: CN Tower Opens
When the CN Tower first opened, it was the “tallest freestanding structure in the world” (Mangione 2014). Thus, the tourist industry of the city was impacted, as was the city's economy.