history .from toronto free press
History The Road Less Travelled! by Spyridon Moshonas May 10 - June 2, 2001 Danforth Road spans two full centuries, but very little of it predates the First World War. That is not a surprise considering that for its first 120 years, Danforth was literally the road less traveled! Originally, it was intended to be the 'great highway' that would link York, Toronto's predecessor, to the eastern part of the colony. The York political elite were desperate for a highway that would ease their discomfort about living in rural isolation. In answer to their prayers, a Yankee by the name of Asa Danforth came to town with an offer they just couldn't refuse. He wanted to built a highway starting from the east bank of the Don River to the Bay of Quinte, and with the blessing of the legislature, construction began in the summer of 1799. Danforth Road was an ambitious project that was to be completed within a year. In the beginning, that deadline appeared feasible, as ...