Longing for a place where the alders grow? You’ve arrived in Alderwood. This neighbourhood in Toronto has a unique story. Alderwood began as part of Colonel Samuel Smith’s vast land. Archibald Cameron purchased farm lots here in 1850. He built his home called Ashfield. It stood on what we know today as Beta Street.
By 1874, Cameron faced bankruptcy. Daniel Horner bought his farm lots. Horner was a prominent member of Etobicoke Township’s Council. That’s why Horner Avenue bears his name. The naming of Alderwood’s main street was debated. The Brown and O’Connor families were involved. Today, it is called Brown’s Line.
Around 1920, Alderwood was planned as an extension. It would extend the Town of New Toronto. It was first called New Toronto Heights or New Toronto Park. Streets were planned in a grid pattern. Names came from the Greek alphabet. Think Beta, Gamma, and Delta. However, Alderwood remained part of Etobicoke township.
In 1933, Alderwood became a postal village. It remained in Etobicoke Township. It was closely connected to Long Branch and New Toronto. The railway separated them. Alderwood didn’t grow much until after World War II. Many industries moved into the area along Brown’s Line. The Queen Elizabeth Way’s construction further disconnected Alderwood. It separated the area from the rest of Etobicoke Township. This cemented Alderwood’s attachment to Long Branch and New Toronto. After the war, immigration increased. People came from eastern Europe. The area urbanized rapidly. This continued until the end of the 1960s.
In 1967, the independent municipalities re-amalgamated. They joined Etobicoke Township. This created the Borough of Etobicoke. In 1983, it became a city. In 1998, the City of Etobicoke merged. Six other cities joined. The Metropolitan Toronto government also joined. This formed an amalgamated City of Toronto.
Alderwood has little commercial space. It mainly has low-rise single homes. The neighbourhood experienced population stagnation. The children of older residents moved out. This forced the Public School Board to close schools. Franklin Horner Middle School closed. Alderwood Collegiate closed too. Alderwood Collegiate became Fr John Redmond. It is a Separate Catholic High School. It moved to a new home in New Toronto. The area has seen debate over historic preservation. Horner’s Ashfield home was demolished.
Alderwood is known for its single-family homes. Many were built after World War II. Schools include École Sir Adam Beck Junior School. Lanor Junior Middle School is also here. Alderwood Collegiate Institute once served the area. Later, it became Father John Redmond Secondary School. It stands vacant today. The Franklin Horner Community Centre is in a closed school. It was Franklin Horner Junior Middle School.
The Alderwood Centre houses several facilities. Sir Adam Beck Junior School is here. The Alderwood branch of the Toronto Public Library is here too. The Alderwood Action After School child care centre is here. The Alderwood Pool is a 25-yard public pool. An outdoor hockey rink is nearby.
The southeast quadrant is zoned industrial. It houses manufacturing and warehousing businesses. A Daimler-Chrysler casting plant is among them.
Several churches serve Alderwood. St Ambrose Roman Catholic Church is one. Alderwood United Church is another.
Lanor Junior Middle School was built in 1952. It became a junior middle school in 1984. Franklin Horner Middle School closed then. Sir Adam Beck Junior School opened in 1921. It honors the founder of Ontario Hydro. The new school was built on the same property in 1999. It only goes up to grade 5.
The first public high school in Alderwood was Alderwood Collegiate Institute. It opened September 6, 1955. The school closed in June 1983. It was later occupied by Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School. Alderwood’s mature trees are stunning. They create a canopy. The impressive lawns are lovely. Residents stay in their homes forever here. They love the sense of security. The quiet streets offer it.