| Did you know that there are islands in close proximity | | | | John Hanlan, built a hotel at the northwest tip of the |
| to Toronto? Yes, there are islands a short ferry ride | | | | island which became known as Hanlan's Point. By the |
| away from the shoreline of the city. These islands | | | | 1890s, Toronto would see three more resort hotels |
| are what is known today as Toronto Island Park and | | | | built at the point as well as the addition of a summer |
| it is a popular tourist attraction when vacationing to | | | | recreational center. |
| this Canadian metropolis called Toronto. This is a place | | | | Another interesting historical feature on the Toronto |
| with walking/bicycle paths, bicycle rentals, an | | | | Islands is the Gibralter Point Lighthouse. Built in 1808, |
| amusement park, a lighthouse, sports facilities, and | | | | this was one of Toronto's first lighthouses. This |
| beaches. | | | | lighthouse at one time was reported to be the most |
| The Toronto Islands were not always islands but are | | | | prominent in North American waters. There is even a |
| actually the result of a long sandbar peninsula caused | | | | story associated with it to add to its mysticism. The |
| by drifts in Lake Ontario. For centuries they were | | | | story is that the first lighthouse operator, J.P. Radan |
| known as a pleasant place to relax and Europeans | | | | Muller was murdered in a very violent way and the |
| knew them as the Islands of Hiawatha. The bottom | | | | crime has never been solved. This adds a point of |
| of a river is a somewhat unstable place and sandbars | | | | interest for those "ghost hunting" tourists. |
| drift or erode. The land form went from peninsula to | | | | For those looking for affordable family amusement, |
| islands largely due to a storm in 1858 that wiped out | | | | there is a great amusement park on the islands |
| a lot of the land bridge. In 1956, the City of Toronto | | | | known as the Centreville Amusement Park. This |
| designated that these islands be developed into a | | | | amusement park boasts itself of having 30 rides and |
| park. Dredging projects have been going on since the | | | | 14 places to eat all on 600 acres of land. They have |
| 1940s to continue to stabilize the land forms and | | | | something for everyone in the family. |
| prevent erosion of the islands. | | | | So whatever your recreational desire is, it can |
| One of the areas on the islands is known as Hanlan's | | | | probably be found at the Toronto Islands. Don't leave |
| Point. The Hanlan Family was one of the first families | | | | Toronto without visiting them. |
| to live fulltime on the islands. They settled down at a | | | | Castlegate Inn - inexpensive accomodations in |
| place on the islands known as Gibralter Point in 1862. | | | | downtown Toronto |
| In 1867 the City of Toronto allowed the land to be | | | | Compare our rates. Cheap prices, but a great place |
| subdivided into areas for summer cottages, resort | | | | to stay! |
| hotels, and amusement parks. One of the Hanlans, | | | | |