History of Toronto, ON

Simcoe directed the first York residence in a gridiron building near the mouth of the Don River. In 1797 a camp that became Fort York was built at the entrance to Toronto Harbor. The Anglo-American World Power broke out in 1812, including the Cold War in 1813. Peace came only after two years of war that ended in instability. During the peace period, York grew slowly to the people, although its infrastructure was in short supply, which led to the nickname "Muddy York". As the town grew, tensions arose between the ruling class in York and the growing merchant and labor classes that favored reform. York was rebuilt and renamed Toronto in 1834, which led to Toronto's first election. Toronto's first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, a reformer, persevered in his efforts to reform Upper Canada, which led to his rebellion in 1837.

The city grew steadily in the middle of the 19th century, a major port for distribution as Upper Canada was settled. Toronto-based businesses are growing, including a meat packing business, which has led to the nickname "Hogtown". Toronto continued to grow with the integration of rural regions until the early 1900's. After World War II, another wave of xenophobia erupted in the region, leading to the demand for new development on the outskirts of Toronto. To support the city's growth, the Government of Ontario established the Metropolitan Toronto, a regional government that includes Toronto and its suburbs, in 1954. The regional government, along with Ontario, has invested heavily in infrastructure that helps social and industrial growth