Talk:Toronto's 100 Years

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The sections are titled "A Glance at the Beginning", "The Folks Who Built Toronto", "Domestic Life", "Political Life", "Municipal Life", "Parks and Services", "Educational Life", "Commerce and Industry", "Professional Life", "Military Affairs", "Artistic Life", "Sporting Life", "Church Life", "The Great Commissions" and "An Epilogue".

Colonel Simcoe was born in 1752 and was educated at Oxford before entering the army. He was posted to Boston at the beginning of the American Revolution, and soon attracted the attention of his superiors with his flair for military strategy. In 1777, he was appointed Commander of the newly formed Queen’s Rangers, and took part in several operations before the close of the war. After his return to England, he entered Parliament briefly, but his true desires remained on Atlantic’s opposite shore, where he hoped to help tame the Canadian wilderness. His desire was fulfilled 1790, when he was named Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada.

The first part of the book delves mainly into his life in the fledgling Toronto and his family, including his wife Elizabeth Simcoe and her artistic ability. Several of her drawings, including some of Niagra and the Toronto region, are noteworthy historical documents.

Colonel Simcoe ordered the construction of roads in the Toronto region and sparked a building spree that catapulted Toronto into the forefront of Canadian life. He also maintained good relations with the Indians of the area, and organized the first civil government in what is now the province of Ontario.

The next chapters deal of the book deal with the growth of Toronto, including the opening of the first facility for higher education, the Upper Canada College, as well as the early enthusiasm for sports such as cricket. The Toronto Cricket Club was formed a century ago and is still a robust organization.