Highland Creek

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Highland Creek
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      History:

      In the 1850’s, Highland Creek was the largest residential and business centre in the former Township of Scarborough. Richard Schofield, in Scarborough Then and Now explains that “The combination of the Kingston Road, the Old Danforth Road and the Highland Creek coming together in one location encouraged the village’s rapid growth in the early 19th century.”

      Highland Creek was officially recognized as a community in 1852, when it was granted its own post office. Highland Creek also had its own school, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Methodist churches, and a number of general stores, blacksmith shops and hotels that catered to the travellers along Kingston Road. Highland Creek remained a rural farming community right up until the 1950’s, when the present day neighbourhood was developed.

      Highland Creek’s historical landmarks include the “W.J. Morrish General Store,” circa 1891, situated on Old Kingston Road, the third Highland Creek Public School, circa 1918, located on Military Trail, and the “Miller Lash/McLean Estate,” circa 1914, which is situated on the University of Toronto’s Scarborough College campus.

      Overview:

      This neighbourhood has a small town feel that emanates from its main street shopping district situated along Old Kingston Road. Here you will find a historic cemetery that dates back to around 1800, and colourful wall murals that depict life from Highland Creek’s pioneer days.

      Highland Creek residents celebrate the history of their neighbourhood every year on Highland Creek Heritage Day. This event is highlighted by a giant parade that takes place along Old Kingston Road. This parade features antique cars, marching bands, floats, children’s rides, a merchant’s fair and flea market, crafts, home baked goods and a dance at the local legion hall.

      Lifestyle:

      Highland Creek residents do most of their shopping on Old Kingston Road, which has the character of a main street, in a small town. The focal point of this shopping district is the old fashioned Highland Creek Plaza which includes a food market, a hair salon, a florist, a bakery, a bookstore, a bank, a dry cleaners, a florist, a home decorating store and professional offices. The mix of shopping around this plaza includes neighbourhood restaurants, and a beer and wine making establishment.

      Homes:

      Highland Creek contains a large number of frame or brick bungalows built in the 1920’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Many of these cozy white frame houses were originally summertime cottages.

      Highland Creek’s housing stock is currently in transition as many of the original homes are being replaced by a collection of new custom-designed houses that feature double garages, interlock driveways and luxury interior finishes.

      Recreation:

      Highland Creek Community Park located off Ellesmere Road is a large park that features a baseball diamond and a children’s playground. The Highland Creek Public Library is located east of the park at 3550 Ellesmere Road. This library offers storytime and reading club programs for children.

      Colonel Danforth Park, which forms the southern boundary of this neighbourhood, is a deep ravine valley that is popular for family picnics, bike rides, casual strolls and hiking. This park can be accessed off Kingston Road and along Old Kingston Road.

      Transportation:

      The north-south Morningside Avenue and Meadowvale Road buses connect passengers to the Kennedy station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. The Ellesmere Road bus connects passengers to the Scarborough Town Centre, which provides a connection to the Bloor-Danforth subway station and the Go Transit system.

      Motorists can gain immediate access to Highway 401 on-ramps at Morningside Avenue and Meadowvale Road. Highway 401 links motorists to the Don Valley Parkway which ushers commuters to downtown Toronto in approximately thirty minutes. An alternative and more scenic route for those heading downtown is to take Kingston Road west to Lakeshore Boulevard.

          Commute Times

          Time to Closest Shopping Mall:
          15 Minutes
          Time To TTC Station:
          20 Minutes
          Time to GO Bus or Train Station:
          15 Minutes
          Time To Hospital:
          15 Minutes
          Time to Toronto Pearson International Airport
          50 Minutes
          Time to Closest Highway:
          5 Minutes

          * All commuting times provided are approximate times only. Commute times may increase or decrease depending on where you live within the neighbourhood and the time of day i.e rush hour versus off hour commutes. Time estimates to public transit are based on walking distance or bus line connection whichever is quicker. All other commute times on the chart above are based on drive times.

          School Guide

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          Toronto School Resources

          Editor’s Note. BEFORE MOVING INTO, BUYING OR RENTING A HOME, PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL YOU ARE CONSIDERING BY PHONE to ensure your home is within the designated boundaries and that your child is age appropriate. WE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISINFORMATION REGARDING SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SO DO NOT ASSUME that your child can automatically attend a specific school or specialized program until you have official confirmation from that school. Please visit the school board web sites for more information.