Islington Village began in the early 1800's with stores, churches, a school and a post office, centred along Dundas Street West. The focal point of this village was Thomas Montgomery's Inn. The Montgomery Inn was a popular meeting place for the local villagers as well as the thirsty farmers taking their grain to the mills on the Humber River. Montgomery's Inn is now a local museum. It is one of the few buildings from the old Village of Islington to survive the residential subdivision of this neighbourhood which took place shortly after World War Two.
It is interesting to note that Islington was originally known as Mimico, but that its name was changed in 188 to avoid confusion with the postal station at Toronto's Mimico Lakeshore neighbourhood. The Islington name was chosen by Elizabeth Smith, whose husband Thomas was proprietor of the local hotel. Elizabeth Smith chose the name Islington after her birthplace in England. This countrified west-end neighbourhood has many fine attributes including an excellent selection of homes situated on mature lots, a historic shopping district on Dundas Street, an abundance of greenspace and parkland and convenient access to TTC and Go Transit stations. The Mimico Creek and the Islington Golf Club wind their way through the centre of this picturesque neighbourhood.
Homes
Islington's housing stock dates from the 1930's, 40's, and 0's. The older houses in this neighbourhood represent some of the best examples of Georgian, Colonial, English Cottage and Tudor style houses in the city. There is also a nice mix of Cape Cod style houses, ranch style bungalows and split-level homes. Many of these houses are situated on premium size lots that either front or back onto the Islington Golf Course.
Islington also has a growing number of custom built new homes. Most of these houses are well designed and blend in well with the older houses in the neighbourhood.
Recreation
The historic Montgomery's Inn located at 4709 Dundas Street West, is now a museum. This Georgian Loyalist Inn with its handsome riverstone exterior is one of the most beautiful and alluring buildings in Toronto. Montgomery's Inn hosts a number of year round festivals, a lecture series, and an afternoon tea in its cosy and comfortable tea room.
The Islington Golf Club features a Par 72, 6400 yard course that was designed by renowned golf course architect Stanley Thompson. This private club has a friendly atmosphere and is geared towards families.
If tennis is your game you will want to head to Rosethorn Park located just north of the Islington Golf Club. This park has three tennis courts and a children's playground.
The Islington Baseball League has been in operation since 192. This club operates out of Rosethorn Park. Programs include Co-ed T-Ball, Boys and Girls Rookie Ball, Clinics and Rep teams.
Schools
Islington, 44 Cordova Ave., (416) 394-7870
Rosethorn, 2 Remington Dr., (416) 394-6360
Etobicoke C.I., 86 Montgomery Rd., (416) 394-7840
St. Gregory, 126 Rathburn Rd., (416) 393-262
Shopping
The Islington Village shopping district on Dundas Street has an upscale tone with a small town feel. The list of stores here includes a gourmet food shop, a wine making establishment, a deli, a drug store, a hardware store, a flower store, a coffee house and a good selection of restaurants and cafes.
Further west along Dundas Street in the Dunbloor area are a cluster of small retail plazas, family style restaurants, professional and medical offices and specialty stores including a ladies golf shop, a lingerie store, and a leather store.
Transportation
Bus service on Islington and Kipling Avenues connect passengers to stations on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. The Kipling station also provides service to the Go Transit Line.
Motorists are approximately twenty minutes from downtown Toronto via Bloor Street. Commuters are within a ten minute drive of the Islington and Kipling Avenue on-ramps to Highway 401 which connects to all of Toronto's major highways.
