Leslieville Neighbourhood 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 first 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, which was 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. This moment in Canadian history is memorialized by a historic plaque at the intersection of Laing Street and Memory Lane. Today, Leslieville is a neighbourhood in Toronto that offers the best of both worlds; laid back energy along with eclectic local restaurants, shops and even breweries! My favourite are Dineen Coffee, Scout and Left Field Brewery. The Leslieville Farmer’s Market is also the best one in the city and brings the neighbourhoods together. The food and the music are great!
