History of Jane and Finch Community

 Photo: Joseph Crosson House, 1878 (Finch Avenue W. and northwest corner Jane Street). Black Creek Living History Project, 2010.

Initially, the Indigenous people (the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, Inuit, Métis or Wendat peoples) created settlements in the North of the Finch area from 1400 to 1550. It was a firming district before urbanization for 150 years, named Elia. Then, In the 1700s, it became the home of the German community, and in the 1800s, English and Scottish pioneers settled in that land.

1960, Ontario Housing Corporation and the North York Planning department planned to make this area a modern suburb for the growing immigrant population. From 1961 to 1971, the population has grown significantly. By 1975 the population had grown to 50000, mostly in high-rise apartments. By the mid-70s, the area faced several issues because of poverty, like gangs, drugs, crowded schools, and lack of social services.

Over the next three decades, many local non-profit organizations, social groups and activities worked to solve these poverty-related problems. In the 2000s,  massive changes were conducted by the millenniums and others to reform the area. Then the pandemic hit hard in this area, with not only covid-19 cases but also gun violence. Many big projects are going on to make this community a better place to live.

Resources:

1.       OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD: BRIEF HISTORY OF JANE & FINCH, https://innercityoutreach.ca/history-of-our-neighbourhood/#:~:text=BRIEF%20HISTORY%20OF%20JANE%20%26%20FINCH,Longhouse%20to%20Highrise%2C%201986).

2.       (2021 Feb 20). blogTo: The History of Jane and Finch community in Toronto, https://www.blogto.com/city/2021/02/history-jane-and-finch-neighbourhood-toronto/