111 Southvale Dr, Toronto, Ontario M4G1G6,
South Leaside
History of Leaside
Leaside is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Toronto. In
light of its high profile, it is not surprising that Leaside is also one
of the more expensive real estate districts in Toronto.
Leaside is in especially high demand with upper middle income
families who value this neighbourhood as an ideal place to raise
children. Leaside has abundant greenspace and parkland, a fine selection
of schools, one of Toronto's best shopping districts on Bayview Avenue,
and excellent access to public transit.
Leaside was first settled by John Lea a
pioneer farmer who emigrated to Canada from Philadelphia in
1819. In the 1850's, Lea's oldest son William built an
eight-sided octagonal shaped house - appropriately named
'Leaside' - near the present day site of Leaside Memorial
Gardens. This neighbourhood has been called Leaside ever
since.
The Canadian Northern Railway incorporated
the Town of Leaside in 1913 on land formerly owned by the
Lea family. Leaside's development was historically
significant in that it was the first town in Ontario to be
completely planned on paper before any homes were actually
built.
Leaside's residential development was
stalled due to the outbreak of World War I, however Leaside
was an important contributor to the war effort. Heavy
artillery was manufactured at the Leaside Munitions Company.
Leaside was also the location of an airfield used for the
training of Canadian pilots.
In 1918 the Leaside Airfield made Canadian
aviation history as the terminus of the first airmail flight
in Canada, travelling from Montreal to Toronto. Leaside's
status as a Town came to an end in 1967 when it became part
of the Borough of East York, which has since amalgamated
with the City of Toronto.
