Boundaries
Leslieville is bounded by Coxwell Avenue on the eastern side, Gerrard Street on the the north, Eastern Avenue at the south and the Don Valley to the west.
History
In the past, Leslieville was a tiny village and this village got its name from George Leslie who had a nursery in the area. Most of the villagers used to to either work at the nursery or at one of a number of brick factories around the village.
Since Leslieville and its neighboring village South Riverdale had numerous industries over the years it was considered by others as impure land. In the year 2000, one of the notable tanneries caught fire and it burnt for quite a few days. The poisonous ash blanketed the neighbourhood.
Leslieville public school was among the first buildings in the town. The first principal of this school was Alexander Muir author of Canada’s national anthem The Maple Leaf Forever.
Mr. Muir created this song after a leaf went flying into his pocket from a Maple tree that stood outside his school. This Maple tree still stands at the crossroads of Memory Lane and Laing Street.
Neighbourhood Characteristics
Unlike many neighbourhoods in Toronto Leslieville has remained peaceful and quiet with comfortable houses, tree lined roads and old-fashioned shops. It has also become the centre point of the film industry in Toronto. Queen Street is the shopping hub of the town. Most of the shops in this area provide the daily requirements for residents. However there are some chic places too where people can splurge and dine. Some of the popular places such as Hello Toast and Bonjour Brioche attract many visitors.
You will find a wide array of housing types includeing some of the cities finest factory loft buildings standing next to little Ontario Cottages and Victorian houses.
