Silverthorn is a neighbourhood where working class families reside, offering budget housing options conveniently located near downtown Toronto. It boasts a community and is also a welcoming home to diverse groups of newcomers from various backgrounds. What sets Silverthorn apart is its terrain, characterized by landscapes. The meandering one way streets that traverse Silverthorns slopes provide a contrast to the typical grid like layout found in many other Toronto neighbourhoods.
History Of Silverthorn, Toronto
The neighbourhood of Silverthorn got its name from Aaron Silverthorn, who arrived here with his wife and three sons back in 1825. Their ancestral home, the homestead sat atop a hill close to where Silverthorn and Eglinton Avenues now intersect. Following Aarons passing his son Francis took over the property. Transformed it into a thriving cattle farm. Besides his farming prowess Francis was a trailblazer in eating practices. He specialized in making honey and salt free biscuits which he marketed under the brand “Silverthorn Honey and Hardtack Company.” Francis passed away at the age of seventy nine in 1894. The former farmland was later developed into an area known as Silverthorn Heights in 1914. The community saw growth as homes were quickly snapped up by buyers. It wasn’t until the 1920s that residents of Silverthorn finally received city services, like water supply, sewage systems and paved roads that are now commonplace.
Lifestyle
The primary shopping street, in Silverthorn, runs along Eglinton Avenue West. This bustling area, known as Little Jamaica features two story buildings. Westside Mall, located on Eglinton Avenue at Caledonia Road is home to department and grocery stores. Additionally Rogers Road boasts a shopping district, with the Black Creek Super Value Shopping Centre situated west of Keele Street.
Silverthorn, Toronto Parks & Facilities
In the Black Creek Drive and Eglinton Avenue area there are a variety of activities to enjoy. The Centennial building, at 2694 Eglinton Avenue East offers a swimming pool. Houses a local historical museum. Along Black Creek Drive near Eglinton Avenue you’ll find four parks. Beginning from the tip, Trethewey Park provides a natural setting by the banks of Black Creek ideal for picnics and nature lovers. Coronation Park offers a mix of sports and leisure activities including T Ball and Softball leagues, tennis courts, a playground for children and a woodland trail. North and South Keelesdale Park feature sports fields and baseball diamonds. Additionally the Chris Tonks Ice Arena is located in South Keelesdale Park.
The Silverthorn Public Library at 1748 St. Clair Avenue West is well known for its appearance in the opening sequence of the Book Mice television show. Children from across Canada and even as far as the United States come to visit this library known as the home of the book mice. The library staff organizes Book Mice Tours that bring joy to visiting children.
Silverthorn, Toronto Transit
The buses, on Keele Street and Rogers Road link up with the Keele and Ossington stations along the Bloor Danforth subway line. If you hop on the Eglinton Avenue bus it will take you to the Eglinton station on the Yonge University Spadina subway line. By driving down Keele Street, which’s a north-south road in Silverthorn you can reach downtown Toronto’s financial and entertainment districts in about twenty minutes. For those heading out of the city by car the Allen Expressway off Eglinton Avenue is around a fifteen minute drive, from Silverthorn.
Silverthorn, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Silverthorn Community School can be found south of Eglinton and west of Keele. Our school currently has around 330 students who come from backgrounds. As a school we strive to provide a learning space where teachers, students and the community can learn and grow together. Apart from our programs for grades FDK to 8 we also offer two support programs; one for students facing challenges in adapting to elementary and secondary school routines and another for those needing extra individualized support due to developmental delays. At Silverthorn CS our focus is, on fostering a compassionate and engaging environment where each person is appreciated for their qualities.
Silverthorn, Toronto Homes
Most of the homes in Silverthorn were constructed from 1914 to 1930. These brick and wooden houses consist of two story detached and detached residences along, with one and a half story and bungalow detached dwellings. The Silverthorn residences exude a quaint old world allure as they are nestled atop undulating hills in a setting of a small village.