Jefferson

Home

>

>

>

Jefferson
Click the image to see more of our gallery!
Click the photos to see more of our gallery!

      History:

      By the 1840s this neighbourhood had become known as Jefferson. The Jefferson family were prominent settlers in the area arriving from Yorkshire, England sometime in the 1830s. The Jefferson name likely originated with William Thomas Jefferson who established a general store on his family’s property at Lot 59, Concession 1 (west of Yonge Street). The Jefferson Common School – a one room schoolhouse, built in 1840 was one of the earliest schools in Richmond Hill. In 1882 the Jefferson Post office was opened Some of the other first settlers in Jefferson were French Royalist seeking a safe haven from the French Revolution. These aristocrats were led by Joseph-Geneviève, Compte de Puisaye. Collectively they were referred to as the Windham settlers. This community lasted only a few years as the conditions were too harsh forcing many of the royalist to return to France. However, a handful of Windham families endured and left their mark in Richmond Hill. An Ontario Heritage plaque commemorating the Windham settlement is located at 12025-12045 Yonge Street just north of Jefferson Sideroad.

      * Thank you to Andrea Kulesh of the Richmond Hill Historical Society and Peter Wilson of the Richmond Hill Public Library for helping with the above research.

      Overview:

      Jefferson is situated on the edges of the treasured Oak Ridges Moraine. The Humber, Don and Rouge Rivers all converge at Bathurst Street and Jefferson Sideroad and meander south through the neighbourhood which is surrounded by conservation lands, woodlots and kettle lakes. The Saigeon Trail is part of the river watershed forming a a cherished green corridor right through the middle of the neighbourhood where residents can walk or bicycle or just take a time out to enjoy nature. In recent years Jefferson has been transformed from a sparsely populated rural community into a residential community filled with new housing subdivisions. These include Macleod Landing and Inspiration. This neighbourhood has proven to be a popular option for families who appreciate all the greenspace, and the close proximity to public transit and amenities along Yonge Street.

      Lifestyle:

      An assortment of shopping plazas can be found along Bathurst Street and Yonge Street. The closest shopping mall is Hillcrest mall located on the west side of Yonge Street just north of !6th Avenue.

      Homes:

      The Macleod’s Landing and the Inspiration subdivisions off Bathurst Street take advantage of their pastoral surroundings on the edges of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Here you will find Georgian and Tudor inspired homes set amidst rolling hills, valleys and conservation lands.

      Recreation:

      Jefferson is blessed with an abundance of greenspace. Saigeon Park is a large green corridor that runs right through the centre of the neighbourhood. This trail is part of the Humber, Don and Rouge watershed. It has a popular walking and bike path as well as an off leash dog area.

      Arts:

      The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts is just a short drive from this neighbourhood. Located at 10268 Yonge Street in the heart of downtown Richmond Hill this performing arts centre performances are enjoyed by a local regional and national audience.

          Jefferson Stats

          Walkability:

          Medium

          Bikeability:

          Low

          Public Transit:

          Low

          Affordability:

          Low

          Greenspace:

          Medium

          Recreation:

          Medium

           

          Legend: Low, Medium, High

          Commute Times

          Time to Closest Shopping Mall:
          5 Minutes
          Time to GO Bus or Train Station:
          15 Minutes
          Time To Hospital:
          15 Minutes
          Time to Toronto Pearson International Airport
          45 Minutes
          Time to Closest Highway:
          10 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.