UrbanToronto has partnered with Heritage Toronto to capture a moment in Toronto's past. On a weekly basis, we will both be highlighting a historic photo of the city's people, places and events, and will be telling the stories behind them.

Many thanks to both Gary Switzer of MOD Developements and Maya Bilbao for putting together the photos and research. 

This week's photo:

The Scarborough Bluffs have been one of Toronto's greatest natural attractions for hundreds of years. In 1793, the wife of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, Elizabeth, remarked that the highlands east of the Town of York looked similar to the chalk cliffs of Scarborough in Yorkshire, England. Hence, they earned the name, The Scarborough Bluffs. Also, at that time, John Graves Simcoe renamed the new township north of the highlands Scarborough from Glasgow.

The bluffs are incredibly significant from a geological perspective and are renowned among scientists worldwide. They extend for approximately 14km along Lake Ontario and at the highest point they rise some 65m above the water. Sediments in the first 46 metres reveal fossil plants and animals that were left over during the advance of the Wisconsinan glacier that took place around 70,000 years ago. Above the first layer of sediment can be found boulder clay and sand left by four advances and retreats of ice. The last withdrawal of the glacier took place some 12,000 years ago.

The Scarborough Bluffs now form part of Bluffers Park that includes areas to picnic, a marina, and a beach. Seen here are men standing at the peak of the Bluffs in 1909.

Sources:

http://www.scarboroughhistorical.com/local_history/
http://www.waynecook.com/atoronto.html
http://www.toronto.ca/waterfront/tour/bluffers_park.htm

www.wikipedia commons

This article was originally published in forum thread: Heritage Toronto Mondays