JUNCTION

In 1884, the Village of West Toronto Junction was founded.

Some of the finest Architecture in Toronto can be found in the West Junction. Winding tree-lined streets feature deep red brick Victorian houses on generous size lots boasting distinctive features such as roof top turrets, whimsical front porches and enchanting archways. Fine examples of Queen Anne and Arts and Crafts style homes are can also be found in this part of the neighbourhood. Closer to Dundas Street there are smaller less decorative Victorian in style homes. The north-end properties o are also narrower. A fair number of the larger houses particularly on the main streets have apartments, which are helpful to pay for maintenance and property taxes.

Historically, The Junction was prone to booms and busts during its turbulent history. During the Long Depression factories closed and to construction in the area ended. Because of this, the municipality  suffered a large civic debt and  could not support its citizens.

As was the case with numerous railway and factory workers’ towns, pubs and taverns became permanent fixtures in The Junction. By 1904, the unruly actions of the Junction workers was so out of hand, it led the residents to vote for the banning of the sale of alcohol until 1998. A long and tough fight to regain the right to again serve alcohol in the area was lead by Vesuvio Pizzeria (who some say has the best pizza in the city!)  and it wasn't until the year 2000 that the first drink was poured east of Keele Street at Shox's. Many see this as the beginning of the revitalization of the Junction.

The elimination of prohibition has had a rejuvenating effect on the community. Rapid gentrification has meant stylish new restaurants and bars have opened up along Dundas Street, attracting young hipsters, and the lower rents make the neighbourhood appealing to artists and entrepreneurs. Some see The Junction as the next big "hip place to live" with it’s surplus of vacated warehouse industrial spaces leaving loft conversion possibilities.

Conveniently located to the North,  a large bloc of big-box stores, including Metro, Canadian Tire, Future Shop and Rona, are situated where the old Stockyards used to exist.

Now connected by the WEST TORONTO RAIL PATH pedestrians and cyclists have direct link to the Dundas and Landsdowne area.

The Junction is a thriving new creative hub and is being referred to by many as the New Queen Street  West.

Local Trivia

According to the story, 10,000 men descended on the Junction the day the of the vote for Junction prohibition.  Junction men descended to the bars for 'last call' in the little city, and also Toronto men whose bars were closed due to the election that was being held in their city.

Location

Home to - The Junction, Toronto Junction, West Toronto, West Toronto Junction

Electoral District  is York South-Weston

Neighbourhood  Junction Area, Weston-Pelham Park

BIA -  Junction Gardens BIA