Humber Bay Shores

Humber Bay is a charming neighborhood surrounded by Mimico Creek and the Humber River Valley. The neighbourhood landscape is characterized by rolling hills and a canopy of mature trees. It offers a tranquil escape from the city's hustle while ensuring convenient access to urban amenities. Find stunning waterfront views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline throughout the neighbourhood. The Martin Goodman Trail invites cyclists and joggers to immerse themselves in the area's scenic beauty, while waterfront parks such as Humber Bay Park and Mimico Waterfront Park provide lush green spaces for picnics and relaxation.

History

The history of the Humber Bay Shores dates back to 1888 when the first schoolhouse opened on High Street, serving approximately 35 children in its inaugural year. Over time, this school became a central gathering place for the community, hosting meetings, concerts, movies, and various sports activities. When not in school, children tended to their families’ market gardens, which predominantly grew vegetables alongside apple and pear orchards, and patches of strawberries and raspberries. Humber Bay was also home to Toronto’s first Farmers Market, located at Parklawn Road and the Queensway, now the site of the Ontario Food Terminal.By the 1920s, Humber Bay had expanded to include diverse industries such as a brickyard, cement block factory, and even a piggery. It boasted a library association, volunteer fire brigade, churches, and an eighteen-hole golf course where the Humber Sewage Treatment Plant and South Humber Park now stand. In 1986, the original Humber Bay school was demolished to make way for new housing developments.

    • North: Gardiner Expressway

    • East: Humber River

    • South: Lake Ontario

    • West: Grand Avenue and Douglas Boulevard

  • Humber Bay Shores features a mix of homes that reflect its historical roots and newer developments. Whimsical older houses from the early 1900s, once owned by market gardeners, dot the landscape. More recent additions include bungalows, split-level houses, multiplex dwellings, low-rise apartment buildings, and custom-designed homes. The Humber Bay Shores development along Lake Shore Boulevard boasts several high-rise condominium buildings offering stunning views of Lake Ontario.

      • K-6

        • George R. Gauld Junior School

        • David Hornell Junior School

        • Étienne Brûlé Junior School

      • K-8

        • John English Junior Middle School

        • St. Leo Catholic School

        • St. Louis Catholic School

      • Grade 9-12

        • Lakeshore Collegiate Institute

  • In the mid-20th century, a stretch of Lake Shore Boulevard was nicknamed the “Motel Strip.” It got its name as it was lined with trendy motels that hosted celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. The motels, with their retro architecture and neon signs, became iconic landmarks of Toronto's post-war era. Today, many of these motels have been replaced by luxury condominium developments, but the area's history as a glamorous getaway spot remains a charming part of its legacy.

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