Monday, March 9, 2009

Toronto 175 Years Old

1793 Lt. Gov. John Graves Simcoe, Upper Canada's first lieutenant-governor, moved his capital from Newark -- Niagara-on-the-Lake -- believing new town of York could be better defended. York named for Prince Frederick, Duke of York, King George 111's second son. Begun in 1795, 56-km Yonge St.was considered to be the world's longest street. March 6, 1834, York incorporated as City of Toronto.
Canada's first stamp, featuring a beaver, was designed on a napkin at a Yonge St. restaurant by railroad engineer Sanford Fleming in 1851. Muddy marshes and creeks S. of Bloor St. resulted in the town of York becoming known as "Muddy York." Source: Toronto Sun