New Toronto

In 1890, a vision took root along the shores of Lake Ontario. This vision was New Toronto. New Toronto wasn’t just another lakeside settlement. It was designed to be a bustling industrial hub, a rival to the already established “old” Toronto. Right here, where we stand today, factories and manufacturing plants once dominated the landscape. New Toronto was a planned community. Industrialists, inspired by a trip to Rochester, New York, envisioned a self-sufficient town. It would seamlessly blend factories with residential homes and retail spaces, creating a harmonious balance between work and life. The Grand Trunk Railway’s arrival in 1906, with its repair shops, roundhouse, and freight yard, solidified New Toronto’s industrial destiny. This railway acted as a magnet, drawing numerous industries to the area. One of the giants that answered this call was the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Established in 1917, it quickly rose to become the largest employer in New Toronto. The town’s industrial prowess reached such heights that it boasted “the highest value of manufacturing per square mile in North America.” This prosperity allowed New Toronto to maintain one of the lowest residential tax rates in the area. But New Toronto wasn’t just about factories. It was also a community with churches, schools, and a rich social fabric. Names like St. Margaret’s Anglican Church and Century United Church resonate through its history. The echoes of children playing at Fifth Street Public School and later Seventh Street Public School can still be felt. New Toronto even had its own Town Hall and fire station. New Toronto’s story took a turn in the late 1980s. Many of its core factories began to close or relocate, marking a significant shift in the town’s identity. The Goodyear plant, once a symbol of the town’s industrial might, closed its doors in 1987. The landscape of New Toronto began to change. Some of the old factory buildings found new life as schools, commercial spaces, and even residential homes. The Daniels Corporation built Lakeshore Village, a co-operative housing community on the former Goodyear site. Today, New Toronto stands as a testament to its industrial past. While its factories may be gone, their legacy remains woven into the fabric of the community. It has evolved, adapted, and continues to thrive along the shores of Lake Ontario.