Todmorden Mills Heritage Site

Todmorden Mills was a small settlement in the Don River valley of Toronto, Ontario. It was founded in the 1790s and initially operated as a lumber mill. The settlement eventually grew into a small industrial complex, becoming an independent village in the mid-20th century. Today, the site is home to a 9.2-hectare wildflower preserve. It was designated a national historic site in 2000.
Todmorden Mills, now a heritage site, was once a tiny settlement in the Don River valley. In the 1790s, it began as a lumber mill. Originally called Don Mills, it soon grew into an industrial complex and village. By the early 20th century, it was part of East York. However, it has since undergone a complete transformation and has now been designated a cultural site.
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A little-known relic of Toronto’s European settlement history, Todmorden Mills opened its doors to the public in 1967 as part of the city’s centennial celebrations. The mill and its surroundings were first settled by the Helliwell family in 1821, and later became a distillery and brewery. The family decided to rename the site to Todmorden, after their hometown in Lancashire, England. The town also had the first paper mill in Upper Canada, which produced newsprint for colonial publications like William Lyon Mackenzie’s newspaper.
Located in Don Valley, Todmorden Mills is a multi-use facility that includes a 9.2-hectare wildflower preserve and four historic buildings. The restored mills were once a small industrial community. Visitors can enjoy the Mills’ Brewery building, Papermill Theater, and a 9.2-hectare wildflower preserve. The site is open all year round and is worth a visit even if you’re not into history.

East York is a former municipality and administrative district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. From 1967 to 1998, it was a semi-autonomous borough within the upper-tier municipal district of Metropolitan Toronto. It is home to several historical landmarks and popular attractions. For many years, the city was referred to as “the East”, and its history can be traced back to the late 17th century.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what the Don River Valley was like during the 19th century, Todmorden Mills is a great place to start your tour. This historic site was one of Toronto’s first industrial communities and has been preserved for future generations to enjoy. Visitors can also experience a unique experience by walking along the original Don River pathway. While walking along the Lower Don Trail, you can see a public installation that retraces the old Don River pathway, inviting passersby to reflect on the history of the Don River.
Todmorden Mills Heritage Site was once a quaint settlement on the Don River valley in Toronto. Originally a lumber mill, the village soon grew into a small industrial complex and eventually a borough. In the 20th century, it was incorporated into East York. In 1927, the mills were moved to Toronto’s east end. Today, the mills remain open to the public.

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