If you live in Etobicoke, you probably think of Islington and Mimico as two completely different worlds. One is the heart of the Village of Murals on Dundas Street, and the other is a beautiful lakeside community to the south. But if you could hop in a time machine and go back to the mid 1800s, you would find a very confusing situation.

Islington was actually the original Mimico. But thanks to a bit of identity theft and a very indecisive town meeting, the name we know today was born.

The Original Identity

Long before the subway or the high rises, the area around Dundas and Islington was a busy stagecoach stop. It was known as Mimico, a name taken from the Indigenous word meaning sweet water. Because Dundas Street was the main highway for settlers moving west, the village was a thriving little hub.

However, the 1850s brought a massive change. A new railway line was built down by Lake Ontario, sparking a real estate boom. A second village started growing at the lakefront. When those residents applied for a post office, they snatched the name Mimico for themselves. Even though the village on the hill was there first, the new Mimico down south won the legal rights to the name.

The Mail Struggle

By 1858, the original village was in an awkward position. They were a town with no name and, more importantly, no post office. Residents had to trek all the way to Lambton Mills near the Humber River just to check their mail. It was a massive inconvenience for a growing community.

The locals eventually petitioned the government for their own post office. Thomas Musson, who owned a general store where the Second Cup stands today, was ready to take on the job of Postmaster. The government agreed, but they had one big rule: you cannot call yourselves Mimico because that name is already taken.

A Decision Over Drinks

To settle the matter, the local men gathered for a public meeting at Thomas Smith’s Hotel. If you know where Barclay Terrace is today, that is exactly where this heated debate took place.

Many names were suggested, but nobody could agree. The meeting went on and on, with neighbors arguing over which name sounded best or carried the most prestige. As the night wore on and the group remained at a total standstill, they decided to do something unexpected. They decided to leave the choice to Elizabeth Smith, the wife of the hotel owner. They figured a fresh perspective was exactly what they needed to break the deadlock.

A Piece of England in Etobicoke

Elizabeth Smith didn't have to think very long. She suggested naming the village after her own birthplace in England: Islington.

The name was unique, it sounded professional, and most importantly, everyone finally agreed to it. On July 1, 1860, the Islington Post Office officially opened its doors inside Musson’s General Store. The identity crisis was over.

Whether you are looking in Sunnylea, Islington-Bloor, or the Kingsway, this area has always been defined by its rich history and strong community ties. The name Islington stuck so well that it eventually defined the entire stretch of the road from the lake all the way north.

Your Next Move in Etobicoke

So, next time you are sitting in traffic on Islington Avenue, remember that you are traveling on a road named by a homesick woman who just wanted to help her neighbors stop arguing. This neighborhood has come a long way since the 1860s, and it continues to be one of the most sought after areas in the city.

Book a call with Dave Dubbin.