Beaconsfield Village history begins with the Denison family who were the major landholders in this district dating back to the early 1800's. Captain John Denison was the owner of "Brookfield", built around 1815, at the north-west corner of Queen and Ossington. Henry Scadding recounts in his book Toronto Of Old, "Brookfield house was shaded by great willow trees and surrounded by flower gardens and lawns, no mean feat in an area of virgin forest." The Denison heirs sold Brookfield in the 1850's. By the 1870's a network of streets had been laid out on the former Brookfield estate. Beaconsfield Avenue became the signature street in the neighbourhood. It is named after former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, who was given the title of Lord Beaconsfield by Queen Victoria.
Overview
Beaconsfield is popular with members of Toronto's arts community who have gradually migrated westward along Queen Street to the affordable houses and studios found in this neighbourhood.
Shopping
The colourful Rua Acores shopping district on Dundas Street West, is brimming with Portuguese restaurants, fresh fruit and vegetable markets, mouth watering bakeries and an assortment of gift shops. Queen Street West is an eclectic mix of small clothing boutiques and interesting one-of-a-kind arts and crafts stores mixed in with the usual convenience type stores.
Recreation
The McCormick Recreation Centre at 66 Sheridan Avenue, and the Trinity Community Recreation Centre, at 155 Crawford Street, both have an indoor pool, a gymnasium, a weight room, and a games room. McCormick also has an indoor Arena that offers a variety of skating programs. The McCormick playground features a tot park and a wading pool. Beaconsfield is only a few minutes from Toronto's Harbourfront district, which includes Ontario Place, Exhibition Place, Skydome, the Harbourfront Recreation Centre and the Toronto Islands.
Schools
Please note that the schools listed below have very definite enrollment boundaries.
(P) Alexander Muir/Gladstone Jr. & Sr., 108 Gladstone Ave.,
(416) 393-9140
(PH) Heydon Park Secondary School, 11 St. Anne's Rd.,
(416) 393-1710
(PH) Central Technical School, 725 Bathurst St.,
(416) 393-0060
(CA) St. Anthony, 645 Gladstone Ave.,
(416) 393-5210#
Legend:
(P) Public School
(PH) Public High School
(CA) Catholic School
(PR) Private School
(PC) Private Catholic School
(PJ) Private Jewish School
(C) College
(U) University
Source: David Dunkleman, TorontoNeighbourhoodGuide.com
