Despite the smelly-sounding name, Cabbagetown is a cherished well-known neighbourhood in east-central Toronto, its streets graced with some lovely Victorian homes. The area was home to Irish immigrants in the 1840s, when they came to worked in nearby industries. They built cottages and small homes and, story has it, they used to grow cabbages in their front yards.
In the 1970s, the area was rediscovered by artistic, liberal well-heeled professionals who lovingly restored the brick and stone and ironwork. Some understated natural landscaping on tree-lined streets recreated Cabbagetown into the gracious desirable neighbourhood it is today.
In 2004, the transformation was solidified, when the area became a historical preservation district; plaques commemorate well-known past residents of many of the homes.
Today, Cabbagetown is home to artists, writers, professors, lawyers, consultants. Most of the houses are small and charming. Some of the larger mansions have been divided into rental units. Proximity to the financial district, the U of T and Ryerson University, galleries, shops and restaurants add to the appeal.
My friend and I make an annual pilgrimage — to stroll the streets, dream about life in the homes we admire, and settle for taking photos of them. Last September, we were caught up in the annual Cabbagetown Festival, where artisans and artists display and sell their crafts – beautiful, rather pricey and lovely to behold. The clogged and noisy streets detracted from the charm. So, this year, we went in early July. Here are a few photos to give you a taste…
Why not go for a stroll yourself?
http://www.torontoneighbourhoods.net/neighbourhoods/downtown/cabbagetown
Enjoy!
verawrites 
Vera, what a lovely post! I love this place. I recognize beautiful Canadian brick because I remembered it from trips to Toronto and Montreal from my college days in Upstate New York. I particularly love the English gardens in the front of each building. I will take that tour. Lovely! What a great way to start the day. 😀
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Thanks Beth! Every city has special neighbourhoods and this is one of my faves. Glad you can stroll down memory lanes as you look at the homes that harken back to your college days. I know you’d appreciate the weather too – warm sun, cool breeze – summer at its best in TO. Enjoy your day…
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I just spent some time at that link. Vera, you could supply them with pictures — yours are even better than the ones they share, which a great. Toronto could be located in Upstate NY from what I can see. A lot of similarities, so I would probably love living there. The closest we come is Rochester. Does Toronto get a lot of snow? I don’t think Americans can easily move to Canada. I have often considered Vancouver as an ideal place to live but imagine it is hard for us to get permission.
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Thanks Beth 🙂 I’m always a bit leery, afraid someone will run out of a house and yell ‘what do you think you’re doing?!’ But I think they’re used to it. I haven’t been to Upstate NY but it would be similar to SW Ontario. We do get lots of snow and cold icy winters. Hot muggy summers courtesy of the Great Lakes. I think you’d enjoy Vancouver 🙂 Not easy to relocate but maybe you can visit one day…
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Oh, believe me, I am always fearful when taking pictures virtually anywhere right now. Last summer, when Anna and Deanna were leaving to go back home, I was trying to take a last photo of them at the airport and a guy on line started grilling me about why I was taking pictures. Sheesh!
Yes, Upstate NY is muggy and buggy in the summer and lake-effect snowed in during the winter, but I love that. I know I would love SW Ontario. I get a bit fed up with Americans sometimes, I regret to admit. Canadians seem more like me. 😀
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More people are more paranoid more of the time. How’s that for a generalization 😉 ? Beth, I believe you could fit in beautifully – anywhere. And Canadians can be ornery, too…
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Your photos are lovely, Vera! I’ve not been to Toronto — thanks for the virtual stroll 🙂
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Thanks Joyce! Like any city, there is good and bad. But there is lots of greenery throughout – and that’s a big plus 🙂
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