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HISTORY
Leslieville began as a small village back in the 1850's. The village grew up around
the Toronto Nurseries owned by George Leslie and sons, after whom this neighbourhood
is named.
Most
of Leslieville's residents were either market gardeners or were
employed at one of several brick making companies that used
to operate in the area.
One
of the first buildings in the village was the Leslieville Public
School, built in 1863. Leslieville's first principal was Alexander
Muir who composed "The Maple Leaf Forever".
Muir's
poetic verse was inspired when a brilliant autumn maple leaf
fell from a Leslieville tree onto his jacket.
That maple tree
is still standing today and has become Leslieville's most famous landmark. It
is designated by an historic plaque at the intersection of Laing Street and Memory
Lane.
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