THE JUNCTION

'The Junction', is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that derives its name from a junction of four railway lines in the area known as the West Toronto Diamond. The centre of the area is Dundas St. and Keele St. The area has a growing Latin American population.

Contents

History

Events

Nearby Restaurants

Shops and Entertainment

References

External links

Community groups

Historical photos

History

The Village of West Toronto Junction was founded in 1884 at the intersection of Dundas and Keele Streets.^[1] As it grew it became the Town of West Toronto Junction, then the Town of Toronto Junction in 1892, then the City of West Toronto in 1908 before it became part of the City of Toronto.
The Junction was a manufacturing community that boomed during the late 1800s. Foundries, mills, wire factories, and industries, such as Wilkinson Plough, Dominion Showcase and the Heintzman Piano Co. began moving into the area. Other firms came because land, labour and taxes were cheaper than in Toronto. These factors also attracted many immigrant or second generation Irish Catholics to the area, many of whom moved there from then poor, crowded tenement housing in areas of the city such as Cabbagetown and Brockton Village during the 1880s. Many also came from working-class English industrial cities such as Birmingham and Manchester. They were soon followed by many Macedonian and Croatian immigrants, many of whom worked in the meat industry.
The Junction was prone to booms and busts during its tumultuous history; while the period between 1888 and 1890 was a prosperous one, the period between 1893 and 1900 saw significant poverty in the area due to an economic recession. The Great Depression saw the closing of factories and the end to construction in the area, and the municipality could not support its citizens because of a large civic debt.
Pubs and taverns became permanent fixtures in The Junction, as was the case with many railway and factory workers' towns. By 1903, alcohol was such a serious problem for families and a public embarrassment (as drunks were visible from passing trains), that the town voted to go dry in 1904. This bylaw was not repealed until 2000. It was the last area of Toronto to do so.
Toronto annexed The Junction in 1909 and the two have gradually grown together, though residents have retained their community identity and remained very loyal to the neighbourhood, despite further economic hardship. Indeed, the commercial stretch of Dundas Street was all but abandoned until quite recently. The prohibition law dissuaded restaurants from establishing themselves there, and bars were not permitted.
The elimination of the prohibition has had a positive effect on the community, however. Rapid gentrification has meant new chic restaurants and bars have opened up along Dundas Street, attracting young hipsters, while lower rents make the neighbourhood appealing to artists. Some see The Junction as the next big "hip place to live" with a surplus of vacated industrial space and warehouse loft conversion possibilities.
The Junction Triangle (bounded by Keele, St. Clair, and Dundas Streets) was for many decades the location of the Ontario Stockyards. This was Canada's largest livestock market, the centre of Ontario's meat-packing industry, and the source of Toronto's nickname as 'Hogtown'. The Ontario Stockyards closed at this site in 1993 (moving to Cookstown, much further north of the city), and most of the meat-packing plants that surrounded it closed shortly thereafter. There are still some meat-packing facilities in the area, however, contributing to a signature odour of the tanning and rendering process. The former Stockyards site is now the location of a large bloc of warehouse-style retail outlets, including Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Future Shop and Rona, along with several smaller stores, and the name "Stockyards" has evolved to describe this new shopping area. Immediately surrounding the retail core, new residential developments, primarily mid- to upscale- rowhouses, are helping to revitalize this neighbourhood. Various inns and hotels that have since been established in the area also assist economic stimulation in the form of tourism.
Since the second World War, the area along Dundas well west of Keele (to Jane Street) is known as "Little Malta" with several Maltese-Canadian businesses present. The Maltese-Canadian community has partly moved out to Mississauga and other suburbs, but still has a visible presence in this area. ^[2] As a consequence of the location of abattoirs and other industries that produced volumes of toxic waste, the residents of the neighbourhood are highly concerned about pollution issues, and the city of Toronto has put significant efforts into cleaning up former industrial sites.

Events

The Junction hosts a wide variety of events during the year including:
The 'Contact Photography' Festival (May)
The 'Junction Arts Festival' (September). A three day event with street closure and live entertainment
The 'Home & Style Studio Tour' (October)
The 'Cavalcade of Lights' (December)

Nearby Restaurants

'Vesuvio Pizzeria and Spaghetti house' – Some say as old as The Junction, Vesuvio has been serving Toronto’s best Italian food for years.
'North of Bombay' – With a reputation for excellence and an atmosphere of old world India, North of Bombay is in a class of its own.
'Curry Twist' – Small, quaint, and with a warm Indian charm.
'Axis Gallery & Grill' – Whether it’s a cold drink on a hot afternoon on their large outdoor patio or an evening of live music inside their spacious lounge, Axis is the perfect meeting place in The Junction
'Young Thailand' – New to The Junction, but by no means new. Young Thailand is Toronto’s oldest and most respected Thai restaurant
'Friendly Thai' – Combine a cool chic atmosphere with friendly service and voila, you have the Friendly Thai
'Pascal Bagels & Baguette' – Montréal style bagels without the long trip… need I say more
'Cool Hand of a Girl' – Fresh and organic, Cool Hand of a Girl is a café, with a special touch. Cool Hand offers a delicious selection of organic cuisine and of course organic coffee
'Delight' - New in the Junction. Delectable chocolate treats handmade on site using 100% organic ingredients and organic fair trade chocolate.
Also worth noting - The Junction has a wide variety of ethic food ranging from Caribbean, Mexican, Chinese’s and Vietnamese.

Shops and Entertainment

'Forever Interiors' – Big stuff like furniture, small stuff like vases, old stuff with character and unusual stuff that can make your day. Proprietor and recycle hunter Martin Scott offers a collection of vintage, current day, and custom made furniture for around the house and or cottage.
'The Post & Beam Reclamation' – There’s no other place like it, that’s for sure. Rear architectural finds, huge doors, Victorian metal gates and a collection of pieces from another time. The Post and Beam Reclamation is Toronto's best new source of reclaimed architectural materials
'Picture it Framed' – Proprietor and chief framer Pat Schnerr has been in the framing and mirror business for over 20 years. If it’s the highest quality that you expect then you’d expect no less from Picture it Framed.
'Cornerstone Fine Furniture'- Awe inspiring and packed-to-the-rafters this classy joint features absolutely stunning furniture and décor.
'Big Daddy DVD shop' – The name says it all, tons of DVDs. From Hollywood block buster to hard to find world flicks.
'Pandemonium Books and Disc' – Specializing in an eclectic mix of art, society science, and hard to find books, music and even movies, Pandemonium has it all.
'Junction Mode' – Stylish, hip, vibrant and ready to wear. Junction mode carries designer label clothing for women or the women in your life.
'Latitude 44 Gallery' – Whether you would like to frame something special or view original art, latitude 44 Gallery is The Junctions’ Art Gallery
'Old fashion Restoration' – Every bit the craftsman, Manuel pours his years of experience into every piece. All are rare finds and all are beautifully restored.
'Eclectic Lighting' – A wonderful find, eclectic lighter is known throughout North America as the place to go to find rare Antique light fixtures or lamps.
'West Toronto Paints' – Paint shop, art Gallery, and personal service, West Toronto paint has been a Junction fixture for over 20 years. Now with a new large showroom and art gallery, West Toronto is here to better serve you.
'The Academy of Realist Art' – International respected, The Academy of Realist Art is one of the few art schools in the world specializing in the old world craft of realism. Students come from all over Canada and indeed the world to learn this craft.
'Creative Children Dance Studio ' – Fun, playful and totally inspiring. Proprietor Laurie Raymond and company provide an environment for kids to run, jump, play and dance like they were meant to.
'Rhythm & Motion Dance Studio' – it all about the movement. Learn to dance like you never thought you could with acclaimed dancer Elizabeth Sardowska.

References

1.
2. "The Maltese have moved away from Little Malta, but their culture remains", , Shawn, Micallef, Eye Weekly,

External links

Community groups

★ The Junction BIA The business association for the Junction.

★ Junction Historical Society maintains archives of historical documents, pictures and other interesting information about this neighbourhood's rich past.

★ The Junction Arts Festival The Annual Junction Arts Festival

Historical photos

★ Photos of the Junction Tracks circa 1980s