East Don Trail Environmental Assessment APPENDIX C – Archaeological Assessments APPENDIX C STAGE 1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND STAGE 2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT CLEARANCE Toronto and Region Conservation Authority East Don Trail Environmental Assessment APPENDIX C – Archaeological Assessments C1. Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment Toronto and Region Conservation Authority ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT (STAGE 1) IN THE CITY OF TORONTO EAST DON TRAIL PROJECT LOTS 1 AND 2 CONCESSION III EAST OF YONGE LOTS 1, 2, AND 3 CONCESSION IV EAST OF YONGE LOTS 2 THROUGH 10 CONCESSION III FRONTING THE BAY HISTORIC TOWNSHIP OF YORK, YORK COUNTY DRW-13-001 PIF P338-059-2013 ORIGINAL REPORT AUGUST 28, 2013 Archaeology Resource Management Services 5 Shoreham Drive Downsview, ON M3N 1S4 trca.on.ca/archaeology MTCS Licence Issued to: Janice Teichroeb (P338) (416) 661-6600 ext. 6406 [email protected] trca archaeology resource management services (stage 1) east don trail Executive Summary A Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment was triggered by the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act for the East Don Trail Project in the City of Toronto. The study area is located on Lot 1 Concession III East of Yonge, Lots 1, 2, and 3 Concession IV East of Yonge, and Lots 2 through 10 Concession III Fronting the Bay in the historic Township of York, York County. This Environmental Assessment is a joint venture between the City of Toronto and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the aim of which is to identify a possible multi-use trail route in the East Don River valleylands. The proposed trail would connect with the existing trail network from the north end of Charles Sauriol Conservation Area to the Gatineau Trail and the Lower Don Trail system. In addition to providing a key connection, this trail would also provide safe access to nature and recreation opportunities for the public, and serve as a transportation corridor for cyclists. The East Don Trail project will be undertaken through the planning and design process prescribed in Environmental Assessment Act. The objectives of this study are to provide information about the property’s geography, history, previous archaeological fieldwork and current land condition in order to evaluate the property’s potential to contain cultural heritage resources that might be impacted by the modifications proposed in the EA. The study area is located within the East Don valleylands bounded to the north by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) rail line, to the east by a number of subdivisions, to the south by Don Mills Road and a subdivision, and to the west by the Don Valley Parkway (DVP). The study area measures approximately 150 hectares and is located on City of Toronto, TRCA, Hydro One, Go Transit, Flemingdon Golf Course, and commercial/residential property . As no property inspection was to be conducted as part of this assessment, permission to enter the property was not required. While the study area has not been subjected to heavy disturbances, the adjacent area consists of a mid twentieth century subdivision, a major highway and valleylands. These areas demonstrate long term impacts of urban development and consequently, it is possible that evidence of previous settlements have been impacted by these developments and natural changes. In light of these results, the following recommendations are made: - A Stage 2 archaeological assessment is required in all of the areas identified as holding potential prior to any ground disturbing activities within the boundaries of the study area. o In specific reference to the East Don Trail project, a Stage 2 archaeological assessment will be required for the preferred alternative trail alignment, as well as any staging areas, temporary access roads, and other areas of potential construction impact, prior to the finalization of the detailed design and construction of the trail. - Future areas determined for construction that are not covered by this Stage 1 archaeological assessment such as staging areas, temporary access roads, etc., should also be subject to a Stage 1, and if recommended, a Stage 2 archaeological assessment. MTCS Licence Number: P338 TRCA Project Number: DRW-13-001 PIF P338-059-2013 Page i trca archaeology resource management services (stage 1) east don trail Table of Contents Page Executive Summary i Table of Contents ii List of Images iii List of Maps iii Project Personnel v 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT CONTEXT 1 1.1 Development Context 1 2.0 BACKGROUND 1 2.1 Historical Context 2 2.1.1 Overview of Historic Environment 2 2.1.2 Overview of Local Area Historical Context 5 2.2 Archaeological Context 25 2.2.1 General Geography and Geology 26 2.2.2 Known Archaeological Sites Within the Study Area 26 2.2.3 Previous Archaeological and Heritage Assessments 26 2.3 Built Heritage Context 27 2.3.1 Identified Built Features 27 2.3.2 Existing Cultural Heritage Resources 28 3.0 ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS 31 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 35 Advice on Compliance with Legislation 36 References Cited or Consulted 37 Appendix A: Images 41 Appendix B: Maps 64 MTCS Licence Number: P338 TRCA Project Number: DRW-13-001 PIF P338-059-2013 Page ii trca archaeology resource management services (stage 1) east don trail Table of Contents, continued Page List of Images Image 1 Playters Bridge over the Don, sketch by Lady Simcoe 41 Image 2 Skinner’s Mill on the Don, sketch by Lady Simcoe 41 Image 3 1949 Aerial Photograph 42 Image 4 1954 Aerial Photograph 43 Image 5 1967 Aerial Photograph 44 Image 6 1978 Aerial Photograph 45 Image 7 1989 Aerial Photograph 46 Image 8 Tumpers Hill behind Sauriol’s cottage (Sauriol’s Fonds, Toronto Archives) 47 Image 9 Bridge over Taylor Creek (Sauriol 1984) 47 Image 10 Iron Bridge over Don River, just before Folks (Sauriol 1991) 48 Image 11 Concrete Bridge built in 1921, replaced Iron Bridge (Sauriol 1984) 48 Image 12 Taylor & Brother’s 1878 (Miles & Co.) 49 Image 13 Remnants of Upper Mill, 1930 (Sauriol 1995) 50 Image 14 Looking north towards Don Mills Road (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 50 Image 15 South of the Forks, Don Mills Rd on the left (Sauriol 1995) 51 Image 16 Kids playing by the Don (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 51 Image 17 Hockey on the Don (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 52 Image 18 Looking west from the Forks (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 52 Image 19 Don River and Don Mills Rd (Background) (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 53 Image 20 Don Mills Road, 1920 (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 54 Image 21 Don Mills Road near the Forks, 1930 (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 54 Image 22 Sauriol hiking near Don Mills Road (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 55 Image 23 Eglington Ave East through the Don Valley, 1955 (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 55 Image 24 Rail bridge over the Don (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 56 Image 25 Rail Bridge over the Don (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 56 Image 26 Rail bridge over the Don (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 57 Image 27 Rare photo of train along the Don before Viaduct opened, 1917 (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 58 Image 28 Tracks leading too Eglington Ave East bridge (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 58 Image 29 Sauriol’s cottage as it stood in 1910 (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 59 Image 30 Scene at the Don (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 59 Image 31 Sauriol’s cottage looking southwest (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 60 Image 32 Sauriol at his cottage, 1935 (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 60 Image 33 Footbridge over the Don to Sauriol’s cottage (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 61 Image 34 Footbridge over the Don to Sauriol’s cottage (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 61 Image 35 Footbridge over the Don (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 62 Image 36 Sauriol’s cable bridge oveer the Don (Sauriol 1984) 63 Image 37 Hurrican Hazel dammage along the Don, 1954 (Sauriol Fonds, Toronto Archives) 63 List of Maps Map 1 General Study Area 64 Map 2 Study Area 65 Map 3 Property Ownership within Study Area – Draft Map (to be replaced) 66 Map 4 Glacial Lake Iroquois Shoreline and Physiography 67 MTCS Licence Number: P338 TRCA Project Number: DRW-13-001 PIF P338-059-2013 Page iii trca archaeology resource management services (stage 1) east don trail Map 5 1787-1805 Plan of the Toronto Purchase by William Chewett 68 Map 6 1851 Browne Map 69 Map 7 1860 Tremaine Map of Ontario County 70 Map 8 1878 Miles and Co. Atlas of York County 71 Map 9 1890 Goad’s Insurance Map of Toronto 72 Map 10 1903 Goad’s Insurance Map of Toronto 73 Map 11 1908 Ontario Free Directory and Map of York Township 74 Map 12 1909 Topographic Map 75 Map 13 1915 Topographic Map 76 Map 14 1918 Topographic Map 77 Map 15 1921 Topographic Map 78 Map 16 1932 Topographic Map 79 Map 17 1949 Topographic Map 80 Map 18 Paper Mills on the Don (Sauriol 1992) 81 Map 19 Canadian Northern Ontario Railway Company sale of land to C. Sauriol, 1939 82 Map 20 Identified Built Features 83 Map 21 Modern Topographic Map 84 Map 22 TRCA Predictive Model for East Don Trail Study Area 85 Map 23 City of Toronto Predictive Model for East Don Trail Study Area 86 Map 24 Recommendations Map 87 Map 25 Locations Requiring Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment – North of Eglinton 88 Map 26 Locations Requiring Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment- South of Eglinton 89 MTCS Licence Number: P338 TRCA Project Number: DRW-13-001 PIF P338-059-2013 Page iv trca archaeology resource management services (stage 1) east don trail Project Personnel Project Management: Margie Kenedy (R182) Amanda Parks (R450) Report Preparation: Amanda Parks Loren Scott Archival Research: Heather Massey Barry Orme Loren Scott Graphics: Lilit Mirzoyan Sean Nash Edited By: Amanda Parks (P338) MTCS Licence Number: P338 TRCA Project Number: DRW-13-001 PIF P338-059-2013 Page v trca archaeology resource management services (stage 1) east don trail 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT CONTEXT 1.1 Development Context A Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment was triggered by the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act for the East Don Trail Project in the City of Toronto (Maps 1 and 2).