1

The fertile flats of the Don River supported a number of agricultural ventures well into the twentieth century.

2

Jennings' Market Garden, Greenwood Avenue and Sammon Avenue
1913
Todmorden, Ontario

3

In the early part of the twentieth century, market gardens could be found in the Valley. Vegetables, flowers and fruits were grown in the area stretching north of the Danforth to Todmorden and east to Victoria Park.

4

Jennings' Market Garden Greenhouse
1913
Todmorden, Ontario

5

Many of these market gardens were year-round operations. In the winter, vegetables and herbs were grown and harvested in greenhouses.

Today, little remains of this industry along the Don. However, the street names Pape, Sammon, Logan, Leslie, Playter and Greenwood commemorate the names of some of the more prominent market gardeners in the area.

6

Charles Sauriol tapping maple syrup in the Don Valley
1958
Don Valley, Toronto

7

Maple syrup was tapped in the Valley since early settlement.

W.F. Maclean, editor of the newspaper "Toronto World," produced significant quantities of maple syrup from his magnificent grove of ancient maples. MacLean sold the syrup at 50 cents a quart bottle; maple sugar was sold in half-pound cakes. Not surprisingly, advertisements for his maple syrup products were featured in "Toronto World."

In the latter part of the century, Charles Sauriol was inspired to maintain this tradition. However, Sauriol's maple sugar and syrup were made for his family's consumption.

8

Bee keeping was another lucrative commerical venture in the Valley.

One of the most famous local bee keepers was "Old Murph," as J. Rice Murphy was known. He kept 50 colonies of bees about one-half mile north of the Bloor Street Viaduct. Many local residents fondly recalled the two-pound wax containers with the inscription, "From the apiary of J. Rice Murphy, Todmorden, Ontario."

In 1958, construction of the Bayview Extension was halted to re-locate the hives of the Ontario Honey Producers Cooperative. "The Globe and Mail" headlines read "750,000 Workers Bar Way to Bayview Extension."