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Todmorden Village

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Living in Todmorden Village

The Todmorden Village neighbourhood is a mature, established community with quiet tree-lined streets and solid brick family homes. The rustic beauty of this neighbourhood is shaped by its location perched atop the ancient slopes of the Don Valley ravine. The vast amount of urban forest that shapes the western and northern boundaries of this neighbourhood make Todmorden Village one of the more peaceful and tranquil settings in Toronto. The Taylor estates were subdivided in the 1920’s, 1930’s and 1940’s, which led to the residential development of the north end of Todmorden Village.

 

History of Todmorden Village

Todmorden Village grew up around a complex of mills and a brewery that operated near the banks of the Don River beginning in 1795. Many of Todmorden’s original families, including the Helliwells and Eastwoods came from Todmorden Village in Yorkshire England. It is this English Village that Todmorden is named after. The Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum situated at the foot of Pottery Road and a small number of workers houses east of Broadview Avenue are vivid reminders of this pioneer community. The history of the Todmorden area north of O’Connor is dominated by the Taylor family who came to the Don Valley in 1834. The Taylors owned all of the land north of O’Connor between Broadview and Woodbine Avenues. The Taylors’ business empire in the Don Valley included paper mills, saw mills, grist mills, and the Don Valley Pressed Brick Works which supplied the bricks for many of Toronto’s houses and commercial buildings.

 

Homes in Todmorden Village

The houses west of Broadview Avenue consist primarily of Tudor and Cottage style brick homes from the 1930’s and 1940’s. Sprinkled into this mix are Victorian cottages and row houses that date from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. These homes are holdovers from the old Todmorden Village. Many of the houses in this part of the neighbourhood back onto the Don Valley Ravine and enjoy a marvellous view of the city. There are also a handful of low-rise and high-rise apartment buildings situated in this part of the neighbourhood. The six streets north of O’Connor between Pape and Donlands Avenues have been coined “The Golden Triangle” by real estate agents. These charming Tudor style homes were built in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s and include many decorative accents like front porches, leaded glass windows, wood burning fireplaces, beautiful wood trim and hardwood floors. The north-east pocket of Todmorden Village around Four Oaks Park contains some of the prettier stone and brick bungalows in the city. These cosy homes are ideal for singles, couples and empty nesters.

 

Lifestyle in Todmorden Village

The Pape Village shopping district south of O’Connor is brimming with local retailers that cater to the homeowners in the surrounding area. This busy shopping district is very diverse and includes everything from hardware stores and pharmacies to grocery stores, bakeries and restaurants. The retail district located at Broadview Avenue and Pottery Road includes a large grocery store, restaurants, a health centre and professional offices. On a hot summer day it’s worth a stop at the local Dairy Queen at the north-west corner of Broadview and Pottery Road. At the back of this Dairy Queen is an observation platform that provides a spectacular view of the Don River Valley.

 

Recreation in Todmorden Village

Todmorden Village residents enjoy convenient access to the Central Don network of parks that follow the valleys of the West Don River and Taylor Creek. These parks are linked together by a nine kilometre paved trail that is ideal for nature walks, picnics, jogging, and cycling. The Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre is located off Pottery Road. This heritage museum offers year-round programs for the whole family including art classes, a lecture series, a nature program, theatrical plays, and special pioneer festivals. Access to the Lower Don Valley nature trail is located off Pottery Road and at Beechwood Avenue. On your way into this parkland you might want to catch a glimpse of the charming red brick house at number 20-22 Beechwood Avenue. This house was built in 1840 by the Taylor family, and is the oldest privately owned residence in Todmorden Village. The newly renovated East York Community Centre located at 1081 and 1/2 Pape Avenue, offers year-round recreational programs for the whole family. This community centre features a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a weight room and a small public library.

 

Transportation in Todmorden Village

Bus services on Broadview Avenue and O’Connor Drive connect passengers to the Broadview station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line, while the Pape Avenue bus connects passengers to the Pape station, also on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. Motorist can drive downtown in five to ten minutes via either the Bloor Viaduct or the Bayview Extension. Commuters are just a few minutes from the Don Valley Parkway, which connects motorists to a series of highways that span the Greater Metropolitan Toronto Region.