Unconfirmed archaeological site.
Details of Site Location: The area stretching west from Avenue Road along both sides of Prince Arthur Avenue and both sides of Lowther Avenue to the west side of Bedford Road.
Boundary History: Precise boundaries of the site are undetermined and no longer possible to determine.
Current Use of Property: High-rise buildings with a few first-generation houses among them.
Historical Description: This site, of unknown dimensions and unknown periods, has been almost completely destroyed by redevelopment. Taddle Creek crossed the Annex area and was met by a tributary that flowed south along the east side of Bedford Road. They met near Lowther Avenue, then flowed together across the corner of Farm Lot 22 to cross Bloor Street roughly where today’s Philosopher’s Walk is located. The area of the forks was on the line between the Baldwins’ Farm Lot 23 and Farm Lot 22 where the western section of Yorkville developed. The area is much disturbed. When the row of historic houses on the west side of Avenue Road was demolished, a parking lot replaced them briefly between Prince Arthur Avenue and Lowther. The parking lot was succeeded by a huge condominium block. During the period of house demolitions and excavations for the condominium, some aboriginal artefacts were found by the relative of a resident of Prince Arthur, who trespassed on the construction site in order to recover them. They remain in private hands. The finds were reported to the former Toronto Historical Board, but no action was taken. It is not known what culture or period the artefacts represent, nor is it known how many were lost by the excavations and taken to a landfill site. There are no reports in the early British Regime of any Indian occupation of these lands, although the Baldwins are known to have had sympathies for the preexisting peoples of their lands. The absence of maps that show aboriginal villages or encampments in the area during historic time suggests that artefacts found may represent some period in pre-history.
Relative Importance: Since so little is known of this site and no investigation has been or now can be made at the point where the artefacts were found, it is not possible to assign any level of importance to the area. However, in view of the history of Yorkville, the Baldwins, and the Annex, the area is of historic importance but not clearly for its prehistory.
Planning Implications: In future, it is essential that redevelopment be accompanied by careful archaeological monitoring as a prerequisite.
Reference Sources: Community History Project collections.