Transportation history.

Details of Site Location: The West Don River at Yonge Street, north of Glen Echo and south of York Mills Road.

Boundary History: The bridge was larger than its predecessors and smaller than the present bridge.

Current Use of Property: The river has been rerouted and channelled and a newer, larger bridge built over the revised river route.

Historical Description: On 15 October 1954, Hurricane Hazel blew across much of Toronto causing great havoc, not the least of which was extensive damage to the Don’s bridges. The storm collapsed a 1904 bridge and isolated Toronto from its suburbs. There had been a number of bridges over the West Don at Yonge dating back to the building of Yonge Street from 1793 to 1796. The earlier bridges, wooden and rustic, carried traffic over the water on a system of dirt roads. In 1833, Rowland Burr straightened the section of Yonge at what became known as Hogg’s Hollow, and this work, including some bridge construction, was one of many realignments of Yonge over many years.

Among the users of early bridges were travelling circuses, which gave performances at various hotels and inns along the way. During summer 1890, one circus was delayed: when the elephant was led onto the bridge, the swaying motion upset him – understandably – and he refused to cross. After much prodding, his keepers gave up and led him down through the Don waters. Being summer, it was hot, and the elephant enjoyed the cool river and balked at leaving it. After another bout of prodding, he finally climbed the other bank and the circus continued on to Newmarket for their next performance.

The 1904 bridge was much more substantial, well able to accommodate commuters, trucks – and elephants. But Hurricane Hazel was the force that destroyed the bridge. By 5:30 p.m. on that October day the water had begun to rise, and reached its height by midnight. By 10 p.m. the water level had reached a rope bridge that hung 15 ft above the Don on the property next to the Yonge Street Bridge on the west side of Yonge. There were two houses on this property, both built close to the riverbank at a bend in the river. The water level was of such height and force that it took even the foundations from these houses. A photograph shows one of them hanging precariously over the riverbank. Nearby, the Jolly Miller Tavern on the east side was totally awash, and houses further to the east had flooded basements. The Yonge Street Bridge collapsed totally, and Yonge was closed for a week until a Bailey Bridge was erected.

Relative Importance: All of the bridges of Yonge Street over the West Don are important, as they kept a major thoroughfare open. But this bridge of 1904 is more important than most as it is associated with a major natural disaster.

Planning Implications: A plaque commemorating all of the bridges, and this one in particular, should be placed on the present bridge or at the York Mills subway station.

Reference Sources: York Mills Heights Association, York Mills Heights, Looking Back (1998); Betty Kennedy, Hurricane Hazel (1979).

Acknowledgements: Maps Project.