Toronto Islands - Hanlans, Centre and Ward

One of my  favourite tourist attractions in Toronto would definitely be visiting the Toronto Islands. Any time of year, there is something so magical about living on an Island away from the big city. Even when I was a young woman I would envy the Islanders for their idyllic lifestyle.

One of the first inhabitants to live all year long on the Toronto Islands were the Hanlan Family (Hanlan's Point), who settled at Gibraltar Point in 1862. Several years later the City of Toronto owned the islands after it was transferred from the federal government in 1867. The City divided the land into separate lots to allow for cottages, amusement areas and even resort hotels to be built.

The Toronto islands developed by eroded stone from the Scarborough bluffs as they were carried westward by the currents from Lake Ontario.

To get here you take the Island Ferry located on the Queens Quay in Toronto, otherwise known as 'The docks.' For a minimal fare you board a large barge which carry people and bicycles to the island and back again within a set time frame. No one is allowed on the island after 9 P.M.

It's almost like taking a mini-vacation. When you first get off the ferry, you land on the Island's 'centre-point' otherwise known as Centre Island which is between Hanlan's Point and Ward's Island.

Ward's Island, is located at the easternmost point of the island and is named after the Ward family who first settled there around 1830.

David Ward was a local fisherman who raised seven children. His son, William, built the landmark Ward’s Hotel in 1882, just south of the ferry docks at Channel Avenue. Originally the building had two floors and a central, third story tower, but in 1922 the tower and upper floor were removed after the structure deteriorated. The remaining building operated as a grocery supply and ice-cream parlour until its demolition in 1966. The hotel, in addition to Wiman’s Baths, built in 1881, created a pleasant resort that attracted many visitors.  Today,  Ward's Island is where the residents live.  

The west side of the island, commonly known as West Point, rapidly became a resort destination for the citizens of Toronto; the first summer cottage community was found here. In 1878, a hotel was built by John Hanlan at the north-west tip of the island and soon after the area became known as Hanlan’s Point.

Centre Island amusement park and a baseball stadium for 10,000 spectators was built in the 1890s-1910. Babe Ruth hit his first professional home run here!




Today, there are no more hotels, and the local residents enjoy peaceful seasons, and I've been told resent the hub-bub that summer months bring with the amusement parks. They try to keep to the themselves, but I'm sure they look forward to the quieter times of the year when they can have the island to themselves again.

If you prefer to get around by bicycle like the locals do here, there is a place to rent bicycles on the island, but we bring our own bikes across the ferry with us. It's a wonderful flat ride and not too busy either. Lots of beautiful homes here, which gorgeous gardens in the summer. You can rent kayaks or standing boards for recreation in the lagoon.



On the islands, there are lots of places to get lost and be alone, or sneak a peak at the Toronto skyline across the lake. It's a home away from home and when it's really hot in the city, there's always a balmy breeze off the lake to waste the day away.

Everyone knows the Centre Island Amusement park with its free concerts, expansive picnic areas, petting zoos, amusement rides, bumper cars, scrambler ride, ferris wheels, and mini putt golf. Truth is when I come here, I almost never go to there.


While here, you'll want to check out the Meany Maze which is a maze of shrubberies lots of fun to test your sense of direction. Of course I was hopeless and decided to follow others out. It was either that or I would sit in a corner and just wait to be found.


The Lake Light Marker is located near Gibraltar point, is the earliest Lighthouse on the Great Lakes, which stood in 1808, shaped like a hexagon, topped with a wooden cage housing a whale oil lantern for light. It stood 52 feet high. It was later raised to 82 feet in 1832 equipped with a revolving light. The lighthouse has a reputation of being a haunted building since the disappearance of its first lighthouse keeper, J.P. Rademuller in 1815 and a later discovery of a partial skeleton nearby.



On a lighter note, there is also a slew of elderly boat and yacht owners who coop in their water vessels all year long on Mugg's Island. It's a way of life for them by the water and they've sold their northern cottages for a trip across the lake a lot closer to home. Sounds like a great idea to me!