Eric Very
@ekvery.bsky.social
Writing at www.brockton-history.ca, jogging, coffee, dad.
Working on the waterfront.
Working on the waterfront.
Pinned
Eric Very
@ekvery.bsky.social
· Feb 12
Uncovering Brockton Village: A forgotten sketch of a Toronto village and the stories it holds
It’s not ever day that you stumble upon something truly exciting while browsing the archives. But on a cold January evening in 2022, that’s exactly what happened. I had been researching…
brockton-history.ca
What do you get when you combine forgotten archives, digitized records, and some luck? A lost sketch 1855 of Toronto's Brockton Village - and my first post on project taking an in-depth look at the history of this corner of the city.
cc. @adambunch.bsky.social
brockton-history.ca/2025/02/12/a...
cc. @adambunch.bsky.social
brockton-history.ca/2025/02/12/a...
Reposted by Eric Very
Today is Acadian Remembrance Day. Between 1755 and 1763, approximately 10,000 Acadians were deported from modern-day Nova Scotia by the British authorities. Thousands died of disease or starvation in the squalid conditions on board ship.
buff.ly
December 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Today is Acadian Remembrance Day. Between 1755 and 1763, approximately 10,000 Acadians were deported from modern-day Nova Scotia by the British authorities. Thousands died of disease or starvation in the squalid conditions on board ship.
TBOT has some ideas on how Toronto can improve its waterfront:
✅ Secure funding for Waterfront East Transit
✅ Transit-priority on Bathurst and Dufferin
✅ Connect key areas of activity
✅ Expand the PATH Network
✅ Bentway expansion
✅ Support water based transit
www.cp24.com/local/toront...
✅ Secure funding for Waterfront East Transit
✅ Transit-priority on Bathurst and Dufferin
✅ Connect key areas of activity
✅ Expand the PATH Network
✅ Bentway expansion
✅ Support water based transit
www.cp24.com/local/toront...
December 13, 2025 at 2:17 PM
TBOT has some ideas on how Toronto can improve its waterfront:
✅ Secure funding for Waterfront East Transit
✅ Transit-priority on Bathurst and Dufferin
✅ Connect key areas of activity
✅ Expand the PATH Network
✅ Bentway expansion
✅ Support water based transit
www.cp24.com/local/toront...
✅ Secure funding for Waterfront East Transit
✅ Transit-priority on Bathurst and Dufferin
✅ Connect key areas of activity
✅ Expand the PATH Network
✅ Bentway expansion
✅ Support water based transit
www.cp24.com/local/toront...
I am the only one just learning that a group of cats is a "clowder of cats."
December 13, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I am the only one just learning that a group of cats is a "clowder of cats."
Reposted by Eric Very
The Paris C1 line—the region’s first aerial tram—will open for service tomorrow in suburban Créteil. The €125 million line will extend 4.5 km and service 5 stations www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/le-reseau...
December 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The Paris C1 line—the region’s first aerial tram—will open for service tomorrow in suburban Créteil. The €125 million line will extend 4.5 km and service 5 stations www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/le-reseau...
29K residents + 2.9M visitors! The waterfront is starting to hit its stride with the critical mass support more diverse retail. Been noticing the shift to experiential operators moving in (i.e. climbing gyms). Definitely giving the retail scene a boost
retail-insider.com/retail-insid...
retail-insider.com/retail-insid...
Toronto Waterfront Retail Gains New Momentum
Harbourfront’s growing attractions and year-round programming strengthen foot traffic and support new leasing opportunities.
retail-insider.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
29K residents + 2.9M visitors! The waterfront is starting to hit its stride with the critical mass support more diverse retail. Been noticing the shift to experiential operators moving in (i.e. climbing gyms). Definitely giving the retail scene a boost
retail-insider.com/retail-insid...
retail-insider.com/retail-insid...
This century home is a gem. In excellent shape 👌 given it doesn't look like it's ever been remodeled.
www.blogto.com/real-estate-...
www.blogto.com/real-estate-...
December 12, 2025 at 3:20 AM
This century home is a gem. In excellent shape 👌 given it doesn't look like it's ever been remodeled.
www.blogto.com/real-estate-...
www.blogto.com/real-estate-...
When kids ruled Toronto's neighbourhood streets. 🚲
A glimpse of Shanley St. and Delaware Ave, 50 years ago.
@torontoarchives.cityof.toronto.ca
A glimpse of Shanley St. and Delaware Ave, 50 years ago.
@torontoarchives.cityof.toronto.ca
December 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
When kids ruled Toronto's neighbourhood streets. 🚲
A glimpse of Shanley St. and Delaware Ave, 50 years ago.
@torontoarchives.cityof.toronto.ca
A glimpse of Shanley St. and Delaware Ave, 50 years ago.
@torontoarchives.cityof.toronto.ca
Timeline of to fully build up the approved growth areas around Toronto at current rate of development:
Hamilton - 2067
Peel - 2079
York - 2089
Halton - 2104
Durham - 2140
@cangeo.bsky.social
canadiangeographic.ca/articles/map...
Hamilton - 2067
Peel - 2079
York - 2089
Halton - 2104
Durham - 2140
@cangeo.bsky.social
canadiangeographic.ca/articles/map...
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Timeline of to fully build up the approved growth areas around Toronto at current rate of development:
Hamilton - 2067
Peel - 2079
York - 2089
Halton - 2104
Durham - 2140
@cangeo.bsky.social
canadiangeographic.ca/articles/map...
Hamilton - 2067
Peel - 2079
York - 2089
Halton - 2104
Durham - 2140
@cangeo.bsky.social
canadiangeographic.ca/articles/map...
Huge progress on the Innovative KESKUS! Thanks @urbantoronto.bsky.social for the great write-up. Proud of the hundreds of contributors who made this dream a reality and the many many volunteers. Looking forward to 2026!
urbantoronto.ca/news/2025/12...
urbantoronto.ca/news/2025/12...
Innovative Estonian Cultural Centre Advances in The Annex | UrbanToronto
Construction of the KESKUS Estonian Cultural Centre has progressed from steel assembly to concrete slab pours and the first stages of glazing installation. The three-storey cultural hub and restored h...
urbantoronto.ca
December 11, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Huge progress on the Innovative KESKUS! Thanks @urbantoronto.bsky.social for the great write-up. Proud of the hundreds of contributors who made this dream a reality and the many many volunteers. Looking forward to 2026!
urbantoronto.ca/news/2025/12...
urbantoronto.ca/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Eric Very
Reposted by Eric Very
📍 Biidaasige Park #Toronto
Trajet, by Caroline Monnet and Dean Baldwin Lew, highlights the 11,000-year-old footsteps of Indigenous ancestors that were found during the excavation of Toronto’s harbour in the early twentieth century.
The first sculpture of the Lassonde Art Trail latfoundation.org
Trajet, by Caroline Monnet and Dean Baldwin Lew, highlights the 11,000-year-old footsteps of Indigenous ancestors that were found during the excavation of Toronto’s harbour in the early twentieth century.
The first sculpture of the Lassonde Art Trail latfoundation.org
October 25, 2025 at 11:44 PM
📍 Biidaasige Park #Toronto
Trajet, by Caroline Monnet and Dean Baldwin Lew, highlights the 11,000-year-old footsteps of Indigenous ancestors that were found during the excavation of Toronto’s harbour in the early twentieth century.
The first sculpture of the Lassonde Art Trail latfoundation.org
Trajet, by Caroline Monnet and Dean Baldwin Lew, highlights the 11,000-year-old footsteps of Indigenous ancestors that were found during the excavation of Toronto’s harbour in the early twentieth century.
The first sculpture of the Lassonde Art Trail latfoundation.org
Reposted by Eric Very
Made this map while researching my neighbourhoods early history. It's a composite of an 1797 and 1837 map, which reveals some familiar and lost routes in the west end.
More about the history here: brockton-history.ca/2025/10/18/e...
More about the history here: brockton-history.ca/2025/10/18/e...
October 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Made this map while researching my neighbourhoods early history. It's a composite of an 1797 and 1837 map, which reveals some familiar and lost routes in the west end.
More about the history here: brockton-history.ca/2025/10/18/e...
More about the history here: brockton-history.ca/2025/10/18/e...
October 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Made this map while researching my neighbourhoods early history. It's a composite of an 1797 and 1837 map, which reveals some familiar and lost routes in the west end.
More about the history here: brockton-history.ca/2025/10/18/e...
More about the history here: brockton-history.ca/2025/10/18/e...
The cormorants are occupying Sherborne Slip. Wonder what they are feasting on over here?
September 10, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The cormorants are occupying Sherborne Slip. Wonder what they are feasting on over here?
Reposted by Eric Very
My colleague @johnlorinc.bsky.social put me on to this book, which intrigued me because I have family history in Earlscourt, one of the most notable shacktowns. The book was full of fascinating insights that still resonate today. 🧵
Much of Toronto's early expansion took the form of "shacktowns," where owner-built housing on small private lots provided affordable housing for workers. @dylanreid.bsky.social explores the seminal 1996 book "Unplanned Suburbs" that analyzed this phenomenon. spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
Reading List: Unplanned Suburbs - Spacing Toronto
We think of suburbs as places where the middle classes go to leave the city. But Richard Harris’s book Unplanned Suburbs: Toronto’s American Tragedy, 1900 to 1950 (1996) reveals that, for several deca...
spacing.ca
September 4, 2025 at 12:51 PM
My colleague @johnlorinc.bsky.social put me on to this book, which intrigued me because I have family history in Earlscourt, one of the most notable shacktowns. The book was full of fascinating insights that still resonate today. 🧵
Over 200 years ago, a handful of officers, widows, and insiders submitted handwritten petitions for land in what is now Brockton Village, Toronto.
Their words preserved in the archives show how Indigenous land became colonial property, lot by lot.
brockton-history.ca/2025/06/13/l...
Their words preserved in the archives show how Indigenous land became colonial property, lot by lot.
brockton-history.ca/2025/06/13/l...
Who Got the Land? Reading Land Petitions from Brockton, Toronto (1796-1812)
What did it take to get land in Brockton over 200 years ago? This post explores the original petitions submitted by the area’s first settlers, soldiers, widows, and government insiders seeking land…
brockton-history.ca
June 13, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Over 200 years ago, a handful of officers, widows, and insiders submitted handwritten petitions for land in what is now Brockton Village, Toronto.
Their words preserved in the archives show how Indigenous land became colonial property, lot by lot.
brockton-history.ca/2025/06/13/l...
Their words preserved in the archives show how Indigenous land became colonial property, lot by lot.
brockton-history.ca/2025/06/13/l...
Centennial Pavement. First time noticing one of these on Toronto's sidewalks
May 28, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Centennial Pavement. First time noticing one of these on Toronto's sidewalks
Reposted by Eric Very
Great work on the British land slop!
On this Victoria Day weekend, I’m sharing a story about land, loyalty, and colonial paper trails.
Meet Brockton’s first landowners: a sheriff, a secretary, a commander, a widow, and a father-in-law to the Chief Justice.
brockton-history.ca/2025/05/18/t...
Meet Brockton’s first landowners: a sheriff, a secretary, a commander, a widow, and a father-in-law to the Chief Justice.
brockton-history.ca/2025/05/18/t...
The Sheriff, Secretary, Commander, Widow, and Father-in-Law
Brockton’s First Land Owners In the summer of 1793, John Graves Simcoe arrived in Toronto determined to establish his new capital on the remote northern shores of Lake Ontario. He brought sol…
brockton-history.ca
May 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Great work on the British land slop!
On this Victoria Day weekend, I’m sharing a story about land, loyalty, and colonial paper trails.
Meet Brockton’s first landowners: a sheriff, a secretary, a commander, a widow, and a father-in-law to the Chief Justice.
brockton-history.ca/2025/05/18/t...
Meet Brockton’s first landowners: a sheriff, a secretary, a commander, a widow, and a father-in-law to the Chief Justice.
brockton-history.ca/2025/05/18/t...
The Sheriff, Secretary, Commander, Widow, and Father-in-Law
Brockton’s First Land Owners In the summer of 1793, John Graves Simcoe arrived in Toronto determined to establish his new capital on the remote northern shores of Lake Ontario. He brought sol…
brockton-history.ca
May 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
On this Victoria Day weekend, I’m sharing a story about land, loyalty, and colonial paper trails.
Meet Brockton’s first landowners: a sheriff, a secretary, a commander, a widow, and a father-in-law to the Chief Justice.
brockton-history.ca/2025/05/18/t...
Meet Brockton’s first landowners: a sheriff, a secretary, a commander, a widow, and a father-in-law to the Chief Justice.
brockton-history.ca/2025/05/18/t...
Reposted by Eric Very
Jode Roberts led a fabulous Jane’s walk through Bloorcourt! He installed some new signage for the occasion.
May 3, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Jode Roberts led a fabulous Jane’s walk through Bloorcourt! He installed some new signage for the occasion.
Had a great time walking around Brockton Village for @janeswalk.bsky.social. Glad the rain held off and thanks to everyone who came out!
May 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Had a great time walking around Brockton Village for @janeswalk.bsky.social. Glad the rain held off and thanks to everyone who came out!
Reposted by Eric Very
If you’re in the Liberty Village area tomorrow afternoon, I will be leading another walk of the neighbourhood, partnering with the local BIA.
We start at 2 PM at Liberty Village Park.
www.janeswalkfestivalto.com/friday-may-2...
We start at 2 PM at Liberty Village Park.
www.janeswalkfestivalto.com/friday-may-2...
taking-liberty | Jane's Walk Toronto Festival
www.janeswalkfestivalto.com
May 2, 2025 at 1:01 AM
If you’re in the Liberty Village area tomorrow afternoon, I will be leading another walk of the neighbourhood, partnering with the local BIA.
We start at 2 PM at Liberty Village Park.
www.janeswalkfestivalto.com/friday-may-2...
We start at 2 PM at Liberty Village Park.
www.janeswalkfestivalto.com/friday-may-2...
Reposted by Eric Very
More and more people are coming to realize that our man spoke TRUTH back in the day.
May 1, 2025 at 8:50 PM
More and more people are coming to realize that our man spoke TRUTH back in the day.
Looks interesting. Place and memory.
TO: Experience Sam Carter-Shamai's Homecoming, Exchange + Regenerative Encounters exhibition - a collection of archives, soundscapes, photography, maps + an exploration of how we remember the places that made us and how they show up in the places we are schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/event/homeco...
April 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Looks interesting. Place and memory.