Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 15th Year - 2019

To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page

Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone in Landscape mode (Horizontal)

Edwards Gardens

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted January, 2010

Photo Source - Wikipedia

In Edwards Gardens, to the west of the parking lot in front of a greenhouse, is this Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto plaque which says:

Coordinates: 43.7336 -79.3592

Click here for a larger map

European settlement began in this area shortly after the War of 1812. Alexander Milne, a Scottish weaver, arrived here with his family in 1817. Milne's farm and mill operation prospered for over a century, eventually expanding to 240 hectares in size. For many years, the watercourse passing through this park was known as Milne Creek.
In 1944, Rupert E. Edwards, proprietor of Canada Varnish Ltd., purchased the original 11-hectare Milne homestead. Over the next 12 years, Mr. Edwards introduced many landscape features into the garden including a large rockery, ponds, rustic bridges, flower beds, and a 9-hole golf course.
Mr. Edwards' vision was to see the gardens become a public park. Accordingly, in 1955, Metropolitan Toronto purchased the property and, since then, has maintained the beauty and original character of this unique landscape.

Related Toronto plaque
Rosetta McClain Gardens

More
Parks and Recreation

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted February 1, 2019
While it's true that Alexander Milne and his family came to Upper Canada from their home in New Jersey in 1817, they didn't live at the site of Edwards Gardens until ten years later. They first stopped in Newark - today's Niagara-On-The-Lake - before settling in Humber Summit, north of Weston. The family later moved to Markham before purchasing the eastern half of Lot 5-2E, where Edwards Gardens stands today, in 1827.
Scott Kennedy [email protected]

Here's where you can send me a comment for this page.

Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).

Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.

To send me your comment, click [email protected].

Thanks
Webmaster

Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click here.