In the west end of Toronto, residents of the Indian Valley enclave that is nestled south of Bloor Street and just east of High Park, encompassing Ridout Street and Indian Trail with Howard Park to the south, are on a quest to seek a heritage designation for their little district.

Hidden underneath the asphalt are cobblestones that once lined the streets until 1980’s of this once gated community, in High Park.

Under the Ontario Heritage Act, municipalities are able to formally designate properties of cultural heritage value or interest. A designation helps to ensure the conservation of places of importance and history for the benefit of present and future use and generations.

This once gated community was known as an artist’s colony and conceptualized by Architect Eden Smith. This area boasts a collection of interesting and architecturally eclectic homes which were built from 1910 and 1920 for some of the city’s most popular dignitaries. This High Park neighbourhood is filled with local lore such as the local legends, the Mill Brothers known as Pillars of this community. The residents would like to honour them and pay tribute to their contribution to the area by hopefully dedicating the unmarked, city-owned green space on the hill at the corner of Indian Valley Crescent and Indian Grove. This neighbourhood of residents feels very proud of their little piece of history and are hopeful they will get their heritage designation to solidify and protect their community.