The city of Toronto is made up of a vast network of streets, each with its own unique history. We’ve previously introduced our readers to various Toronto streets like Bloor Street, The Annex, and Queen Street. Today, it’s time to explore one of the city’s main arteries: Mount Pleasant Road. This street stretches from Jarvis Street, south of Bloor Street, northward to Glen Echo Drive. Mount Pleasant Road was established following the development of the suburbs through which it passes. Read on to learn more about the history and development of this major metropolitan thoroughfare on toronto-future.com.
The Creation of Mount Pleasant Road
The story of Mount Pleasant Road begins in 1915. During this period, the City of Toronto annexed Moore Park and acquired a right-of-way for a new road through a cemetery. Just four years later, in 1919, the road was opened to traffic.
It’s worth noting that Mount Pleasant Road is centrally located, running through the Midtown and Yorkville neighbourhoods. The street was named after the historic Mount Pleasant area, which is now part of Toronto. The district around Mount Pleasant Road evolved over the years, becoming a popular spot for both residential living and businesses. Today, Mount Pleasant Road is 7.6 kilometres long. Interestingly, it’s considered Toronto’s first expressway.
The Development of Mount Pleasant Road
In 1945, city leaders aimed to improve traffic flow from the downtown core. The planned road extension was named the Clifton Road Extension. However, not all urbanization plans were well-received by local residents. As a result, a new bridge was built, the CPR crossing at MacLennan Avenue was closed, and a pedestrian crossing was constructed. Traffic descending MacLennan Hill was redirected west along the new road to Mount Pleasant. Then, in January 1950, the Clifton Road Extension was officially renamed Mount Pleasant Road.
In the modern era, Mount Pleasant Road remains a vital Toronto artery, providing convenient access to various parts of the city. The area surrounding the street continues to develop, with new residential complexes and commercial properties emerging. The street is also known for its parks and green spaces, making it an attractive place for residents and tourists alike.
What to See on Mount Pleasant Road
There’s plenty for locals and tourists to see along Mount Pleasant Road. However, one of the most significant locations adjacent to the thoroughfare is Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Opened in 1876, this cemetery is a National Historic Site of Canada and the final resting place for over 168,000 individuals. Within the cemetery, you can find numerous memorials, including monuments to disaster victims and military personnel, as well as the graves of prominent figures. For instance, the cemetery features a memorial to the 118 passengers of the steamship SS Noronic, who perished in a fire on September 17, 1949. This tragedy remains one of the worst maritime disasters in Canadian history. Mount Pleasant Cemetery is also the burial site for the 109 victims of Air Canada Flight 621. Additionally, it contains the graves of 126 veterans from World War I and 105 from World War II.
Besides the cemetery, this major city street boasts several parks, squares, green recreational areas, and diverse architectural sites. Mount Pleasant Road is also home to prestigious shops, cafes, and restaurants.
So, that’s the story behind the creation of one of our city’s major streets. We hope you found this material interesting and learned more about Toronto.
How often do you visit Mount Pleasant Road? What interesting spots have you discovered there?