toronto and york country: a sample study

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I like it when the library surprises me.

Yes, I could look for books in the catalogue, but there's something to be said for the thrill of the hunt, for hitting the stacks with a vague notion of what you're looking for and being amused or amazed by what you find in different branches.

Recently, I stumbled upon found a 1970 textbook about our region, Graham Lamont's Toronto and York County: A Sample Study. It appears to be a textbook aimed at upper elementary or high school students. It includes many period pictures of the city, including this one of Bloor east of Avenue, just as high-rise building was kicking in.

Bloor St, Late 1960s

Tell-tale sign this is a textbook? The margins are full of questions to ponder.
Several don't have answers any clearer than they were nearly 40 years ago(i.e., "what in your opinion is the best use for this waterfront land?").

Here are a dozen for you to answer. You choose whether to answer from a modern standpoint or with 1970 blinkers on. Spelling and grammar have not been edited.

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1) Using a map of York County and Metropolitan Toronto, list as many place names as you can find containing the word Mill or Mills.

2) What is another name for a barrel maker? (yes, this is a vital question in the history of the settlement of Toronto!)

3) What in your opinion is the best part of the city for high-rise apartment blocks? Why?

4) Write a description of Metro as you imagine it will be in the year 2000.

5) Why is a single-storey building better for a suburban light industry than a multi-storey building?

6) What man-made features seem to have determined the limits of the Central Business District?

7) What would be the disadvantages of locating (a) a sporting goods store, (b) a book and gift store in a neighbourhood business street?

8) If both the Yorkdale Plaza (Mall) and the Central Business District were the same distance from your home, in which would you choose to do your Christmas shopping? Why?

9) The CBC in Toronto has a downtown location while the private TV station (Ed Note: this refers to CFTO, located at McCowan and 401) is on the edge of the city. Which do you think is the more advantageously situated? Why?

10) Do you think that the citizens of Toronto suffer from having too many governments? Give your reasons.

11) Would it better to have one single municipal government for Metro?

12) Why cannot the lakeshore in Scarborough be used for recreational purposes?

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