York was the name of Toronto, Ontario, Canada between 1793 and 1834.

History

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The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, on the site of an existing settlement named Toronto. He believed it would be a superior location for the capital of Upper Canada, which was then at Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake), as the new site would be less vulnerable to attack by the Americans. He renamed the location York after Frederick, Duke of York, George III's second son. York became the capital of Upper Canada on February 1, 1796.

War

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York was attacked by American forces during the War of 1812, pillaged, and partially burned down on April 27, 1813. (For details, please see Battle of York.)

End of York

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On March 6, 1834, York was incorporated as the City of Toronto. The first mayor of Toronto was William Lyon Mackenzie. However, Toronto was part of the regional division of York County from the late 1700s until the establishment of Metro Toronto in 1954. After 1954, York County was the area north of Steeles Avenue and later renamed York Region in 1971.

York Lives On

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The York name continues in Toronto:

• York County Court House
• "Muddy York" a city nickname
• Fort York
• York University
• Former city of York
• Former borough of East York
• Former city of North York
• Yorkville http://www.bloor-yorkville.com/08phga.html

History of Ontario | Toronto