Agriculture / industrial.

Details of Site Location: The Forks of the Don River, covering the Don Valley close to the river plus the plateau on top of the valley, which includes the area known today as Thorncliffe Park (from 1920 to 1952 the very popular Thorncliffe Racetrack.)

Current Use of Property: Part of the Don Valley park system close to the Forks of the Don, and the apartments and businesses of Thorncliffe Park.

Historical Description: The house known as Thorn Cliff was built by John H. Taylor Junior on the property originally owned by his father, John Taylor Senior, who had bought the original 82-acre portion of the property in 1832. It became the family home until 1888. The house was a two-storey frame building described as reminiscent of the southern mansion style, albeit smaller in scale, with a porch across the front supported by columns. It was an attractive home in a lovely valley setting, inspiring at least two artists (Arthur Cole and Jack Pepper) to paint it. Little is known about its interior or the measurements or architectural details of either interior or exterior. John Taylor Junior purchased additional property, and eventually the Thorn Cliff farm ran up to the top of the valley and included most of the plateau, to total 600 acres. The house was demolished in the 1940s.

In 1888, Robert Davies purchased the farm for $50,000 from John Taylor Junior, who was his brother-in-law. It was Davies who modified the name to Thorncliffe Farms. Turned into one of Canada’s best model farms and best stock farms, it became a showplace visited by thousands over the years. Early in 1920 the Davies family sold the Thorncliffe Park portion to a couple from Baltimore, Maryland, who built the racetrack. Since the Davies family had been prominent in thoroughbred racing and breeding for over 50 years as Thorncliffe Stable, first under Robert and then under his son, George, this seemed fitting.

Relative Importance: The legacy of the Taylor and Davies families has been long overlooked. These families were among the earliest pioneers in the Toronto area. Their hard work, imagination, and enterprise against terrific odds – clearing land, laying out fields, building houses and grist mills and breweries and brickyards – should be recognized and celebrated. So too should the land throughout the Don Valley system that they owned and cultivated. Also of importance, they gave employment to others.

Planning Implications: The area of the Don Valley park system at the Forks of the Don should have at the least a cairn commemorating the sites of the Taylor and Davies home. The Thorncliffe library and/or the East York Town Centre should have material on the area’s history and a plaque honouring the two families.

Reference Sources: Ann Guthrie, Don Valley Legacy, A Pioneer History.

Acknowledgements: Todmorden Mills Museum and Archives; East York Historical Society; Maps Project.