Don Mills History

HISTORY: The Don Mills name makes reference to the historic Don River, and the fact that several mills were operating in this part of the Don Valley during the 1800’s. The historic residences of pioneer miller William Gray are still in their original location overlooking the Don River on the Donalda Golf Club grounds.
The Gray property was purchased in 1914 by David Dunlap who made his fortune in the mining business. The Dunlap family established a prize winning “model farm” here in Don Mills. “Donalda” farm was visited by farming experts from around the world who came to inspect and marvel at its livestock and equipment.
In 1952 son Moffat Dunlap sold the six hundred acre Donalda farm to the Don Mills Development Company, which was headed by Canadian business legend E.P Taylor. Donalda house was originally used as a sales office by the developers and now serves as the clubhouse for the Donalda Golf Club.
Don Mills is recognized as the first planned, and fully integrated post-war community in North America. It is credited with laying out the blue print for Toronto’s post-war suburban development and the building of contemporary neighbourhoods.

HOMES: Don Mills is one of Toronto’s best-treed neighbourhoods. The spacious lawns are covered with a great variety of trees including Birch, Willow, Spruce, Pine, Maple and a myriad of ornamental and fruit trees. The ravine lots situated in east Don Mills back onto the Don Valley and a virtual forest of trees.
The houses were built between 1953 and 1967. The mix of housing here includes detached and semi-detached homes, executive ranch style bungalows, luxury condominium apartment buildings, low-rise rental apartment buildings, terraced row-housing and senior residences.
All Don Mills houses were designed by an architect whose plans had to meet the approval of the Don Mills Development Company before any houses could be built. Don Mills contemporary style architectural designs, earned many Canadian Housing Design Council awards. Typical of this style of housing are shallow roof lines, multi-dimensional facades, expansive picture windows and the use of a carport as an alternative to a garage.

SHOPPING: The Don Mills Shopping Centre is conveniently located right in the centre of Don Mills at 939 Lawrence Avenue East. This indoor shopping mall was recently renovated and includes approximately one hundred and fifty stores. Possible changes may take effect in 2005.

RECREATION: Many of Don Mills smaller local parks are connected by a paved walkway that runs behind Don Mills’ houses. Another path inside Edwards Gardens is part of a nine kilometer paved trail that follows the valley of the west Don River all the way to Warden woods in Scarborough.
Bond Park, located off Duncairn Road, is Don Mills largest park. It includes extensive baseball facilities and organized leagues, and is also home to the North York Winter Tennis Club. Three Valleys Park, located next to Three Valleys School has a large children’s playground and tennis courts.
The Don Mills Civitan Arena located at 1030 Don Mills Road has a children’s house league program and offers pleasure skating at designated times throughout the week.
The Don Mills Public Library at 881 Lawrence Avenue East has regular programming for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school children. Don Mills is near to the Ontario Science Centre located at 770 Don Mills Road.

SCHOOLS:
Public schools:
Greenland, 15 Greenland Road. 416-395-2500
Norman Ingram, 50 Duncairn Road. 416-395-2720
Three Valleys, 76 Three Valleys Drive. 416-395-2930
Don Mills M.S., 17 The Donway East. 416-395-2320
Public high school:
Don Mills C.I., 15 The Donway East. 416-395-3190
Catholic school:
St. Bonaventure, 1340 Leslie Road. 416-393-5263
Private school:
Bayview Glen, 275 Duncan Mill Road. 416-443-1030

TRANSPORTATION: Bus routes on York Mills Road, Lawrence Avenue East and Leslie Street connect passengers to stations on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line. The Don Mills Road bus connects to the pape station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line.
Don Mills Road provides commuters with a quick and easy access route to downtown Toronto. North and south on-ramps to the Don Valley Parkway are located east of Don Mills Road, off Eglinton and Lawrence Avenues and off York Mills Road.

Don Mills History