One of the more historic and timeless neighbourhoods in the very diverse city of Toronto is Dovercourt Village. Dating back to the 1870's, Dovercourt Village, also known as Dovercourt Park, welcomed immigrants to the city who were looking for a chance to start over and earn a fair living and lead a healthy and happy life.

In the late 19th century the area was populated by English immigrants, most of who were poor and took to building houses and tending to farms. 

In fact, much of the area was made up of farms, a distant vision of what the area and the city looks like today. The area was not among the most thriving at the time, with many residents struggling to make a living.

Life at the times got better not soon after, with the 20th century bringing with it growth and stimulation. In 1910, the Village was annexed by the city of Toronto, a singular act that fostered an economic and cultural boom in the area. 

Transportation avenues grew, and the neighbourhood became more populated and defined, becoming fully developed by 1923. 

Location 

It is not the biggest neighbourhood in the city, but certainly one of the most respected and admired. The area extends along Dovercourt Road from Shanly Road to the south and Dupont Avenue to the North. 

It also extends east and west along Hallam Street and occupies the north-south street of Westmoreland Avenue.

It continues to grow in size, as does the rest of the city of Toronto, but the area remains primarily residential and secondarily commercial. Unlike most of the city, Dovercourt does not feature many high-rises, a point of pride for those who live in the area. 

Dovercourt is certainly part of the city and has all the benefits of urban life, but it still remains a strong a community with historic and heritage buildings, something the condominiums can dislodge.

History can be seen today all over the village. The main Toronto Public Library in the area is that on the corner of Bloor and Gladstone, a public place that was established nearly 100 years ago.

Like many areas of the city, Dovercourt Village is particularly diverse and does not identify with just one culture. The biggest minority population is Portuguese, with a smaller group of Chinese as well. 

The area offers residents an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city without removing itself from everything that city life has to offer. 

Nightlife 

Just north of a major thoroughfare in Bloor, the residential streets are quiet and safe, with tree-lined sidewalks and beautiful, historic houses. Still, the always-busy Bloor Street West, filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, live music, and independent shops, is only minutes away on foot.

Dovercourt Village is also next to Ossington Avenue, a street that has seen major expansion over the last decade, becoming a hot-spot for young professionals featuring an eclectic nightlife with music and entertainment just about every evening.

The Bloor line subway is minutes away, and the Ossington bus quickly brings residents down to Queen Street West and to Liberty Village. 

The area remains well connected to the city's vast public transportation system, and is only a few stations away from the University Line, which runs to the north and northwest of the downtown core.

Shopping 

Concerning shopping, the area features a nearby outlet in the Galleria Mall. Located at the southeast corner of Dufferin and Dupont, the Galleria features 45 stores made up of both large retailers and small, independent shops. 

While there is also a major grocery store in the area, the streets also boast many fresh food outlets, where residents and quickly and easily shop for necessary fruits, vegetables, and produce.

Businesses in this area are united within the Dovercourt Village Business Improvement Areas. You can learn more about this BIA at www.dovercourt-bia.com.

The neighbourhood also boasts one of the many great parks in the city. The six-acre Dovercourt Park features a baseball and softball diamond, a children's playground, a wading pool, soccer and football fields, as well as natural ice rinks in the winter for those who want to skate or play hockey.

In addition, the park is home to the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club, a facility that features a gymnasium, a pool, and a games room. Still, the park is one of the features of the area, with a new initiative to keep the area green and healthy for decades to come. 

A neighbourhood group called Green Here has planted more than 100 trees in and around the park to keep the entire area beautiful.

Dovercourt Village has a rich heritage as one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. While much has changed over the last 100 years, the area's heritage can still be seen in its preservation of houses and older buildings as well as the tree lined avenues and green parks.