Envision a chain of fifteen islands, each a jewel in Lake Ontario. These are the Toronto Islands, a refreshing escape just south of downtown Toronto. Today’s tale unfolds on East Island, a place brimming with history and charm.
East Island’s story begins long before European settlers arrived. Indigenous peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, knew this land as Mnisiing meaning “on the islands”. They saw it as a place of healing and relaxation. Treaty 13, the Toronto Purchase, aimed to include these islands. But disputes arose over fair compensation to the Mississaugas. A settlement was reached in 2010. The Mississaugas relinquished their claim for a CA$145 million payment.
In 1852, a violent storm forever reshaped the landscape. It severed the peninsula from the mainland, creating the Toronto Islands we know today. This event carved out a new identity for East Island and its neighbors.
Over time, East Island transformed. Seasonal cottages sprang up, alongside hotels and amusement areas. Toronto’s elite built summer homes here. They sought refuge from the city’s summer heat. The Royal Canadian Yacht Club added to the island’s prestige.
Ward’s Island community on East Island evolved from a simple tent city in the 1880s. William E. Ward built Ward’s Hotel and rented tents to visitors. By 1913, the community had grown. The city organized the tents into streets. They eventually became seasonal cottages.
The community faced challenges in the mid-20th century. Metropolitan Toronto Council sought to demolish the homes and replace them with public parkland. Residents fought back. They formed the Toronto Islands’ Residents Association. After years of legal battles and political pressure, the Islanders won the right to stay. In 1993, the Toronto Islands Residential Community Stewardship Act granted residents 99-year land leases.
Today, East Island is linked to Centre Island. What is commonly called Ward’s Island is actually the eastern end of Centre Island. Together with Algonquin Island, it forms a vibrant residential community. About 300 homes stand here. Strict rules govern the buying and selling of these properties.
The island boasts amenities for residents and visitors alike. The Toronto Island Public School educates children up to grade 6. St. Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church serves the community’s spiritual needs.
Ward’s Island offers a unique glimpse into island life. Its streets retain their early 20th-century layout. They are named sequentially from First to Sixth Street. A centrally located Ward’s Island Association clubhouse, built in the late 1930s, serves as a community hub.
Beaches dot the shoreline, offering swimming and sunbathing opportunities. Ward’s Island Beach lies near the Eastern Gap. Recreational boating thrives here. The Toronto Island Sailing Club, founded in 1965, offers sailing courses and racing events.
East Island stands as a testament to community resilience. It reflects a unique blend of history, nature, and urban life. The island remains a cherished destination, inviting all to discover its many charms.