#ExperienceTO: Swansea Historical Tour

"Swansea is one of Toronto’s oldest inhabited areas. Around 1760, before York and Toronto were founded, Swansea’s first settler, a French trader named Jean Baptiste Rousseau, lived at the foot of the Humber River near the location of an old French trading post. In 1793 Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe ordered mills built on the Humber River and declared part of Swansea a mill reserve, with forests left intact for the use of the King’s Sawmills. After several decades, the mill reserve remained unused and the area was subdivided into park lots and sold. The western part of Swansea became lot 41, running south from Bloor Street. In 1838, John Ellis Sr. bought the most easterly lot, number 38, comprising 165 acres, including most of Grenadier Pond. Adjoining his parcel was one owned by his friend from England, architect John Howard, who later donated his estate to the city to create High Park. Ellis, an engraver, built his home (designed by John Howard) Herne Hill, on present-day Woodland Heights." (Swansea Historical Society)

Join us for a FREE, public walking tour that will be a good experience for anyone: whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, and whether you’re a curious local, solo traveler, backpacker, part of a small groups of friends, or a newcomer.

ABOUT

Beginning in front of the Swansea Town Hall (95 Lavinia Ave, Toronto, ON M6S 3H9), the interactive tour will be hosted by your guide Alex Rășcanu. The tour will focus on Swansea community's history. The historical tour will conclude at a nearby coffee shop.

WHEN

Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 11:00am. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes.

WHERE TO MEET

The tour will start in front of the Swansea Town Hall (95 Lavinia Ave, Toronto, ON M6S 3H9).

WHERE IT ENDS

This tour will end at a nearby coffee shop, where you can order coffee/tea/brunch and spend some more time speaking and connecting with fellow historical tour participants.

FACILITATOR
Alex Rășcanu is a Torontonian, a husband, a father of four, and an avid student of our city's history. Stay in touch with him on LinkedIn / X / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube.

#ExperienceTO Swansea Historical Tour