| Toronto Island is a great spot to stop as part of a | | | | for fans to take a gander at while they enjoy a |
| Toronto vacation; the entire harbor and waterfront | | | | drink. |
| are loaded with fun and fulfilling things to take part in. | | | | The true intention of the original colonization of the |
| The city of Toronto is jam packed with amazing | | | | island was for a 'summer getaway' for Toronto |
| attractions including the Toronto Zoo, the CN Tower, | | | | residents. Large Victorian style vacation homes were |
| the Ontario Science Centre, etc., etc. If you've never | | | | built on the island, and then an elaborate amusement |
| had the pleasure of a Toronto vacation, the trip is | | | | park was erected for entertainment, followed by the |
| certainly worth it just to explore the history of | | | | sport's stadium, an airport and the Royal Yacht Club. |
| Toronto Island. | | | | The Island today has a more permanent residential |
| Starting at the 'beginning' | | | | section that includes a church and two public schools, |
| One of the most interesting bits of history in relation | | | | but the overall feel of the island remains |
| to Toronto Island is also, coincidently, one of the | | | | predominantly as a getaway from the everyday. In |
| oldest. The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, built around | | | | 1967 a turn of the century themed amusement park |
| 1805, is the longest free standing structure of any | | | | for children was built, recreational boating continues |
| kind on the island. It's no longer used for its intended | | | | to be extremely popular among residents and visitors |
| purpose, but it did serve to provide guidance for | | | | to the island who can choose between several boat |
| vessels for more than one hundred and fifty years. | | | | and yacht clubs. There are also a number of beaches |
| The interesting story here doesn't have anything to | | | | for residents and tourists to swim, play and relax - |
| do with providing light - it has to do with ghosts. | | | | and for the more daring among the vacationing |
| In 1815, the lighthouse keeper was found dead of a | | | | crowd, there are clothing optional beaches available |
| presumed murder and it's been since rumored that | | | | as well. |
| the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse remains his haunting | | | | Another interesting note about the small group of |
| grounds. | | | | islands around Toronto Harbor is that collectively they |
| Sports History | | | | make up the biggest 'car free' community throughout |
| Hanlan's Point Stadium was built on Toronto Island in | | | | North America. All of the roadways are paved, but |
| 1897 to be the home for the Toronto Maple Leaf | | | | motor vehicle use is restricted to only service |
| professional baseball team. The stadium itself was | | | | vehicles - if you are on one of the islands and in need |
| rebuilt on a few occasions over the years and no | | | | of some form of transportation other than your feet |
| longer stands today, but in 1914 it was the sight of | | | | there are several locations throughout the island |
| what would have been one of baseballs most | | | | where bicycles, boats and other modalities of self |
| valuable and sought after artifacts. Before all of the | | | | propelled transportation can be rented. |
| hype and hoopla, before the famous nicknames and | | | | If you're planning a vacation to Toronto, your trip |
| before he became known as the greatest player to | | | | could easily be overfilled by all of the amazing |
| ever take the field, Babe Ruth hit his first | | | | attractions on the mainland, but you'd really be selling |
| professional home run out of Hanlan's Point Stadium | | | | yourself short if you didn't stop by and drink in some |
| and into the Harbor. Though the artifact was never | | | | of the incredible history that Toronto Island has to |
| recovered (presumably), a local bar displays 'the ball' | | | | offer. |