Spring on the Toronto Islands from Ward to Hanlan! May 28, 2023

It’s a stretch of land that is historic and fascinating, both geologically and socially as well. And a history that brings together the stories of Toronto from its founding.

The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse was constructed in 1809, and is one of the oldest structures in Toronto. It is best known for the ghost story of its murdered first keeper, John Paul Rademüller. But that’s another story for another day.

The peninsula was partially severed by a storm in 1852, which created a sandbar that was dangerously thin, and the peninsula became an island permanently by a violent storm that cut out the eastern channel, two hotels on the island were also destroyed. The modern history of the Islands’ begins here!

The Islands’ have three main parts, and all three have their historic elements, the most being the western most island named for the Hanlan family. A spectacular hotel, “The Ned Hanlan” was built and a regatta course dredged out of the western lagoon. An amusement park followed, and an airport after that!

It was also a residential enclave with most of the homes appearing on Ward’s and Centre Islands. By the 1950s these residential areas started to disappear, as the idea of increasing city parkland took shape. Take a quick peek at my introduction video which follows at https://youtu.be/hkVHx5Ol9qI

The tour begins and ends at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street. We will meet inside the gates! And we will head over as a group, so tickets must be bought before! Please meet 10 minutes before the meetup time!

This tour is tip based with membership with a minimum price of $10.00!