Brockton: A Lost Toronto Village

Maps

  1. Philip Cote: 8th Fire
  2. 1791 – The Baseline Survey
  3. 1793-1812 – Brockton’s First Landowners
  4. 1851 – Map of the Township of York in the County of York, Upper Canada.
  5. 1850-2025 – Brockton’s Shifting Boundaries
  6. 1860 – Plan of Third Ward County of York
  7. 1861 – Black Houesholds in West Toronto

Philip Cote: 8th Fire

A mural and map by artists Philip Cote, showing the Indigenous history of the Greater Toronto area, displayed at 1637 Dundas Street West.

Featured in: On Indigenous Land – Connecting Brockton’s Past and Present through Art

"8th Fire" mural by Indigenous artist Philip Cote at 1637 Dundas Street West, Toronto, depicting the journey of Indigenous history in the Greater Toronto Area, featuring vibrant imagery of animals, symbols, and key historical locations significant to Indigenous heritage.
Philip Cote: 8th Fire Public Art Mural at 1637 Dundas Street West (2024). Source – Dundas West Open Air Museum

1791 – The Baseline Survey

In 1791, British officials undertook a survey that would establish the basic boundaries for 11 Townships, including those that would shape Brockton: Queen Street, Dufferin Street, and Bloor Street.

Featured in: Making Indigenous Land into British Property: The 1791 Survey That Shaped Ontario and Brockton

1793-1812 – Brockton’s First Landowners

Featured in: The Sheriff, Secretary, Commander, Widow, and Father-in-Law and Who Got the Land? Reading Land Petitions from Brockton, Toronto (1796-1812)

1851 – Map of the Township of York in the County of York, Upper Canada.

The earliest map where “Brockton” is labelled.

Featured in: Finding Brockton on the Map

Map of the Township of York in the County of York Upper Canada. 1851. Compiled and Drawn by J.O. Browne FSA. Civil Engineer & D.P. Surveyor. Toronto. Engraved and Printed b Jno Ellis, 8, King St.
Map of the Township of York in the County of York Upper Canada. 1851. Compiled and Drawn by J.O. Browne FSA. Civil Engineer & D.P. Surveyor. Toronto. Engraved and Printed b Jno Ellis, 8, King St.
Source: Original image scan courtesy City of Toronto Archives: Series 443, File 40. Winearls, MUC no. 2215

1850-2025 – Brockton’s Shifting Boundaries

Featured in: Finding Brockton on the Map

A map titled 'Brockton’s Boundaries in 1850' depicts the approximate extent of the village of Brockton overlaid with modern streets and parks for reference. The map highlights Brock Avenue as the central road within the historical boundaries. It includes notable landmarks such as High Park, Grenadier Pond, Roncesvalles Avenue, Dundas Street, Queen Street West, and Dufferin Grove. An annotation states that in 1850, Lucy Brock subdivided Park Lot 30 into the village of Brockton, land originally granted to her husband, James Brock, by the Crown in 1812. The map is credited to Eric Sehr (2025) and is based on an 1851 map of York Township by J.O. Browne. The City of Toronto and County of York boundaries are faintly marked in red.
Brockton’s Boundaries in 1850
A historical map titled 'Brockton’s Boundaries in 1860' shows the extent of the village overlaid with modern streets and parks for reference. The map highlights Brock Avenue and indicates that by 1860, Brockton covered most of the area between Dufferin Street and High Park. A note states that an 1869 Globe report described the Peacocke Tavern, located near Dupont Street, as being in Brockton. The map includes landmarks such as High Park, Grenadier Pond, Roncesvalles Avenue, Dundas Street, and Queen Street West. It is credited to Eric Sehr (2025) and is based on an 1860 map by Tremaine.
Brockton’s Boundaries in 1860
A historical map titled 'Brockton’s Boundaries in 1881' shows the extent of Brockton Village overlaid with modern streets and parks for reference. The map highlights Brock Avenue and marks Brockton’s incorporation as a village in 1880. A note mentions that the area to the south became Parkdale Village in 1878. The map includes landmarks such as High Park, Grenadier Pond, Roncesvalles Avenue, Dundas Street, Queen Street West, and Dufferin Grove. The boundaries of Brockton and Parkdale are shaded, and the City Limits of 1881 are marked. The map is credited to Eric Sehr (2025) and is based on an 1884 plat by Charles E. Goad.
Brockton’s Boundaries, 1881
A historical-style map titled 'Brockton’s Boundaries Today?' depicts how Google Maps defines the neighborhood’s modern boundaries, which are less clearly defined than in the past. The shaded area along Brock Avenue represents Google Maps’ interpretation of Brockton’s extent. The map includes modern streets and landmarks such as High Park, Grenadier Pond, Roncesvalles Avenue, Dundas Street, Queen Street West, and Dufferin Grove. A note highlights the evolving nature of neighborhood boundaries. The map is credited to Eric Sehr (2025) and is based on data from Google Maps (2025)
Brockton’s Boundaries Today, According to Google
A historical-style map titled 'Brockton’s Boundaries Today?' explores an alternative way to define Brockton’s modern boundaries by examining where businesses use the name Brockton. A shaded oval around Brock Avenue and Dundas Street highlights this area as a potential core of the neighborhood’s identity today. A note suggests that business names may provide a better guide to neighborhood boundaries than Google Maps. The map includes modern streets and landmarks such as High Park, Grenadier Pond, Roncesvalles Avenue, Dundas Street, Queen Street West, and Dufferin Grove. It is credited to Eric Sehr (2025) and is based on data from Google Maps (2025).
Brockton’s boundaries today when considering business names
A historical-style map titled 'Brockton’s Shifting Boundaries' illustrates how the definition of Brockton has changed over time, spanning from 1850 to 2025. Different shaded areas represent Brockton’s extent in 1850, 1860, 1881, and 2025, showing a gradual shift in its perceived boundaries. The map includes modern streets and landmarks such as High Park, Grenadier Pond, Roncesvalles Avenue, Dundas Street, Queen Street West, and Dufferin Grove. A note states that over 175 years, the idea of where Brockton is has shifted. The map is credited to Eric Sehr (2025).
Brockton’s Shifting Boundaries, 1850-2025

1860 – Plan of Third Ward County of York

Featured in: Mapping Black Households in West Toronto, 1861: What the Census Reveals

A map from the 1861 census showing a "Plan of Third Ward County of York 1860. The map shows the lots for the First Concession from the Bay, the Second Concession from the Ba, the third Concessions from the Bay.
An 1860 map showing Brockton and York County’s third ward. (Census of 1861, Ecopy Number 4391955_00277)

1861 – Black Houesholds in West Toronto

Featured in: Mapping Black Households in West Toronto, 1861: What the Census Reveals


Black Households in West Toronto, 1861. This map visualizes Black households recorded in the 1861 census across West Toronto and York County, including Brockton Village, Seaton Village, and St. Patrick Ward. Locations are inferred from census records and directories, highlighting the distribution of Black families in the area.