Waterfront Indian trail and pioneer route.
Details of Site Location: Located on high ground parallel to the shoreline of the 1790s, from the isthmus leading to theIslands, west to the southern outlet from Grenadier and Long Ponds to the Humber at the point where Queen Street ends, and from the Humber west along the shoreline. The route was irregular and followed the topography.
Boundary History: The boundaries of the route evolved forests and swamps and across creeks and rivers, route planked in sections, to an even wider route. was linked to others and so its extent of coverage is increased.
Current Use of Property: The current use of the property is in substantial sections of the old Lakeshore Highway. In places, the route has been moved to accommodate construction, railways, and changes to the original shoreline, and by infilling of the shoreline.
Historical Description: The trail used by Indians is younger than others in the region and could not develop until the basins of the Great Lakes, and Lake Ontario in particular, had been established. In addition, its position was influenced by the cyclical rise and fall of water levels in Lake Ontario, which caused the lake to push in at low mainland levels such as at Grenadier Pond. The levels fluctuated and with them, the shoreline, causing this trail to have less use than others on higher ground.. The part of the route that appears to have been less subject to alteration was the part extending west from the Humber. This route aid not go east from the Don River because of the extensive wetlands there. In the days of early settlement, Dart of the trail became Front Street, and part became the Lakeshore Road. The latter was given special attention towards the end of the 19th century when George Gooderham and his partners received the contract to pave one mile of the route – the first paved road in Ontario, and it was well west of the present CNE grounds. In understanding the original route, it is essential to examine very early maps against later ones, and the description of this route is best made in the form of a map.
Relative Importance: Since there has been some alteration of this route, the sections of today’s road which follow the original are more important historically, while the first paved section is deserving of some special attention. In some cases it is not possible to follow the original route at all except in the form of a detour; the route originally led through the centre of Fort York and along the north side of New Fort then directly to Fort Rouille. From there, it curved north along the shoreline where Lake Shore Boulevard now runs. It had another kind of importance for the people of the 19th century since it was a mainland route which connected with docks and related buildings on the waterfront.
Planning Implications: The planning implications are as follows: it would be ideal if the original route could be marked for those wishing to follow its course and this marking should coincide with marking of the original shoreline since both are parallel. The route should not be developed as a “built” walking trail, and following its course should be restricted to those on foot.
At intervals, the route should be plagued at locations such as the war of 1812 battlefield, a host of docks and major industries along the waterfront, historic sites such as John Duck’s Hotel and the landing place for the Underground Railway, or the place where Marilyn Bell came ashore after her famous swim across the lake.
Reference Sources: City of Toronto Archives, maps collection; Toronto Reference Library, maps collection
Acknowledgements: Maps Project collections.