Thorncliffe Park in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Leaside: A Railway Town

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 1, 2026

1. Leaside:A Railway Town Marker

Inscription.
The development of the Town of Leaside, named for 19th-century farmer and settler William Lea, is, historically linked to the Canadian Pacific and Canadian Northern Railways. By 1894, a railway station was established at "Leaside Junction". The Canadian Northern Railway subsequently acquired substantial holdings in the area for the development of a locomotive repair shop and a marshalling yard for its Eastern Lines.

In 1912, the Canadian Northern Railway announced its intention to build a large residential community, commissioning noted Montreal-based landscape architect Frederick Todd to design a model town. The Town of Leaside was incorporated in May 1913, with a population of 43, and land was advertised for sale a month later. Monies from the sale of the land were intended to finance the railway line's maintenance facilities. In the late 1930s, industrial development along Laird Drive - which had become a hub for manufacturers - stimulated residential growth.

Erected 2012 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 43° 42.365′ N, 79° 21.697′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Thorncliffe Park. It is at the intersection of Laird Drive and Lea Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Laird Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 85 Laird Drive, Toronto ON M4G 3V3, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Agnes Macphail (approx. one kilometer away); “Coca-Cola” by Walter Yarwood (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); Canada’s First Air Mail / La Première poste aérienne du Canada (approx.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 1, 2026

2. Leaside: A Railway Town Marker

Centre of photo, facing south

1.2 kilometers away); The Taylor Cemetery (approx. 1.7 kilometers away); “The Church Built in a Day” (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); J. Tuzo Wilson (approx. 2.2 kilometers away); Kay Gardner Beltline Park (approx. 2.2 kilometers away); The Resting Place of Pioneers (approx. 2.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Leaside: a Railway Town marker photos and captions (left) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 1, 2026

3. Leaside: a Railway Town marker photos and captions (left)

Leaside: a Railway Town marker illustration and caption (right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 1, 2026

4. Leaside: a Railway Town marker illustration and caption (right)

The Town of Leaside, the plan shown on a map from 1916 image. Click for full size.

5. The Town of Leaside, the plan shown on a map from 1916

Map of Toronto and Suburbs, 1916 (from the contributor’s personal collection)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 2, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.