|
Colonel Danforth
Park recognizes the contribution of an American, Asa Danforth, to
the expansion of the Toronto road network beyond Scarborough Township.
He was hired by the government of Upper Canada in 1799 to cut a
33-foot wide highway from the east end of King Street to the mouth
of the Trent River, near Trenton, at a negotiated price of $90 per
mile. It was finished just one year later. Originally the road was
to be named Dundas Street after the Secretary of State, but was
commonly known as "Danforth's Road" which is still retained in Metropolitan
Toronto. Although the route seems indirect it was typical of the
era, following native trails and settlers' paths that bypassed many
of the physical obstacles which made travel so difficult 190 years
ago. A number of small communities were also connected by the road.
Oddly enough, Danforth was never a commissioned military officer.
The Colonel probably earned his title because many of the labourers
were hired from the military and could identify with his hard-driving,
disciplined manner. Almost immediately after its completion, complaints
were raised about the road's construction. Bridges collapsed and
many sections were impassable due to the overgrowth of vegetation
and fallen trees. As a result, Danforth had difficulty collecting
his money and land grants promised to his labourers were deferred,
so he returned to America a very disappointed and bitter man.
|
