#ExperienceTO: Long Branch Historical Tour

About Long Branch: "Lake Shore Boulevard, one of west Toronto's busiest roads, is also one of it's oldest. Governor Simcoe's Surveyor, Augustus Jones, began working on it as early as 1791. Prior to that it was a native trail along the shore of Lake Ontario. But even as late as 1812 there were no bridges over the main rivers and toll ferries were used to cross the waters. Many visitors traveled between Toronto and Long Branch by steamer. In 1853, the Toronto and Hamilton Railway laid its tracks beside the lake and boosted the economies of the communities lucky enough to have a station. The Lake Shore road became Canada's first concrete highway when it was paved and named the Hamilton Highway in 1917. Prior to 1883, Long Branch was still farmland, but that year Thomas Wilkie subdivided plots of land into a 219 lot cottage community which he called Sea Breeze Park. He left 10 acres along the lake as an open space for hiking (now the Waterfront Trail). The plan consisted of a half dozen streets south of Lake Shore Road, with the main route into the area called Sea Breeze Avenue (now Long Branch Avenue). In 1887, the Hotel Long Branch was built. It featured electricity, a primitive intercom consisting of speaking tubes, telephone connection to Toronto, and rented rooms for $15 a week. Vacationers came by train and steamers such as the Greyhound and the White Star. By 1923, streetcars were built and many cottages became permanent homes." (Long Branch BIA)

Join us for a FREE, public walking tour that will be a good experience for anyone: whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, and whether you’re a curious local, solo traveler, backpacker, newcomer, or part of a group of friends.

ABOUT

Beginning in front of the Toronto Public Library - Long Branch (3500 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto, ON M8W 1N6), the interactive tour will be hosted by your guide Alex Rășcanu. The tour will focus on Long Branch's history. The historical tour will conclude at a nearby coffee shop.

WHEN

Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 10:00am. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes.

WHERE TO MEET

The tour will start in front of the Toronto Public Library - Long Branch (3500 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto, ON M8W 1N6).

WHERE IT ENDS

This tour will end at a nearby coffee shop, where you can order coffee/tea/brunch and spend some more time speaking and connecting with fellow historical tour participants.

FACILITATOR

Alex Rășcanu is a Torontonian, a husband, a father of four, and an avid student of our city's history. Stay in touch with him on LinkedIn / X / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube.