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The hundreds of men living on the Don Flats posed another problem for the township. Freight trains brought dozens of unemployed men to Toronto, and soon a makeshift community of six hundred men, mostly World War I veterans, was formed on the Flats. Their shacks, built of tin, sheet metal, cardboard and pieces of wood, provided little warmth against the winter cold. As temperatures plunged, many men sought shelter in and beside the kilns of the Don Valley Brick Works.2
Shack of homeless men on the Don Flats1930
Don Valley, Toronto
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Local residents often helped the men in the Flats, bringing them used clothing, quilts, food and even discarded awnings.4
Cave and Shack Dwellers of the Don Flats1930
Don Valley, Toronto
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In the summer of 1931, the Browne family gave some left over food to the men who inhabited the Flats. On August 4, they received the following letter from a resident of the Flats:"To whom it may concern, this is to say that we, dwellers of the Don Flats, otherwise known as the "Cave and Shack Dwellers," do hereby wish to thank all of those who have tried to help us out in any way and particularly those kind enough to send any supplies in the way of food left over from picnics, which might have otherwise been wasted. We will be glad to accept any kindness that may come our way. Thankfully yours."
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Letter of thanks to the Browne family1931
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The makeshift community in the Don Flats lasted until the final months of the Depression. Fred Delaney, known as "Old Dan," was the last of the Valley Cave Dwellers. His move from the Flats to Nova Scotia in 1938 was reported in local papers. |
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