Baldwin Village
Encyclopedia
Baldwin Village is a commercial enclave in Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
. It is located in the west of downtown Toronto, within the Grange Park neighbourhood
, one block north of Dundas Street West
, between Beverley and McCaul Streets. The former modestly sized homes on the street have been converted to restaurants and small shops selling arts, crafts and curios.
,who owned much of the area, in the early nineteenth century. The neighbourhood developed in the early 20th century as an offshoot of the Kensington Market
Jewish community, and the strip became home to a number of Jewish stores and restaurants. As the Jewish community moved north from downtown, the area's proximity to Chinatown
led it to be populated by Chinese-Canadians. Also close to the University of Toronto
and surrounded by the area known as the "Student Ghetto" it also became a centre for the 1960s youth movements. Most notably it was the central location for Draft dodgers
from the Vietnam War
in Toronto. The Draft dodgers converted a number of homes to shops catering to the new community. In 1978 the first cafe on the block opened, and since then the area has become one of the best known restaurant districts in Toronto.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is located in the west of downtown Toronto, within the Grange Park neighbourhood
Grange Park (neighbourhood)
Grange Park is a neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is bounded on the west by Spadina Avenue, on the north by College Street, on the east by University Avenue and on the south by Queen Street. It is within the 'Kensington-Chinatown' City of Toronto planning neighbourhood. Its...
, one block north of Dundas Street West
Dundas Street
Dundas Street, also known as Highway 5 west of Toronto, is a major arterial road connecting the centre of that city with its western suburbs and southwestern Ontario beyond...
, between Beverley and McCaul Streets. The former modestly sized homes on the street have been converted to restaurants and small shops selling arts, crafts and curios.
History of Baldwin Village
The street was laid out and named after William Warren BaldwinWilliam Warren Baldwin
William Warren Baldwin was a doctor, businessman, lawyer, judge, architect and political figure in Upper Canada....
,who owned much of the area, in the early nineteenth century. The neighbourhood developed in the early 20th century as an offshoot of the Kensington Market
Kensington Market
Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Market is an older neighbourhood and one of the city's most well-known. In November 2006, it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. Robert Fulford wrote in 1999 that "Kensington...
Jewish community, and the strip became home to a number of Jewish stores and restaurants. As the Jewish community moved north from downtown, the area's proximity to Chinatown
Chinatown, Toronto
Chinatown is an ethnic enclave in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with a high concentration of ethnic Chinese residents and businesses extending along Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue. First developed in the late 19th century, it is now one of the largest Chinatowns in North America and...
led it to be populated by Chinese-Canadians. Also close to the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and surrounded by the area known as the "Student Ghetto" it also became a centre for the 1960s youth movements. Most notably it was the central location for Draft dodgers
Draft dodger
Draft evasion is a term that refers to an intentional failure to comply with the military conscription policies of the nation to which he or she is subject...
from the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
in Toronto. The Draft dodgers converted a number of homes to shops catering to the new community. In 1978 the first cafe on the block opened, and since then the area has become one of the best known restaurant districts in Toronto.