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The former Village of '''Long Branch''' is a neighbourhood in the south-west of [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]. It is located in the south-west corner of the former Township (and later, City) of [[Etobicoke]] and was a partially independent municipality from 1930 to 1967.
Long Branch is bounded by [[Lake Ontario]] on the south, with western boundaryboundaries of Dixie[[Etobicoke Road,Creek]] Hornernorth Avenueof toLake theShore north,Blvd. West and easternthe boundaryproperty line of Fourteenththe StreetCanadian Arsenals Ltd. (Small NeighbouringArms communitiesLtd., consistWWII) south of Lake Shore Road, the [[NewCanadian TorontoNational]] (Railway's mainline to the Villagenorth, and eastern boundaries being Twenty-Third Street south of [[PortLake Credit,Shore Ontario|PortBlvd. Credit]]West, toand the west,midpoint between Twenty-Second and [[Alderwood,Twenty-Fourth Toronto|Alderwood]]Streets tonorth theof NorthLake Shore Blvd. West.
==History==
===Historical Sites===
[[File:LongBranchCornerBeachHouse.JPG|thumb|left|Original cottage on the waterfront in Long Branch]]
The property was bought by James Eastwood from Col. Sam Smith's son, Samuel Bois Smith, in 1871. In 1883 Eastwood sold a portion of his land south of Lake Shore Road (now, Boulevard West) to a small group of financiers from Toronto. It was to be developed as a summer resort called 'Sea Breeze Park', and a plan of subdivision was filed in 1884. In 1886, the site was acquired by Thomas Wilkie and his brother and it was renamed 'Long Branch Park', after the seaside summer resort area of [[Long Branch, New Jersey]] where Thomas had vacationed. The central north-south street was originally named 'Sea Breeze Avenue', but was renamed as 'Long Branch Avenue'.<ref>http://www.toronto.ca/bia/long_branch.htm</ref>
One of the notable residents of Long Branch not mentioned was Sam Wright who owned the Long Branch Hotel and was a Reeve of the Village. His council brought in a programme to sell off village owned lots for $10.00 each with the condition that a house had to be started (I believe within a year), giving the village more property tax income.
Adjacent to the west side of Marie Curtis Park (now Marie Curtis Park West) is the former site of the Small Arms Limited Long Branch Arsenal. The Ordnance Branch of the Department of National Defense authorized the construction of the factory in 1940. After transfer to the Department of Munitions and Supply, a Crown Corporation, Small Arms Ltd. was formed to operate the facility. By June 1941, the first five rifles had been produced. Huge quantities of British-pattern military [[small arms]] were manufactured there during the [[Second World War]], including the No.4 MkI* [[Lee-Enfield]] bolt-action rifle, and the [[Sten]] submachine-gun (or machine-carbine).
Small Arms Ltd. ceased operations at the end of December 1945. Beginning January 1, 1946, operations continued as the Small Arms Division, Canadian Arsenals Limited. The factory was closed June 30, 1976.
==== [[Toronto Golf Club]] ====
The Toronto Golf Club (originated in 1876), is the third oldest golf club in North America. It originated on a parcel of land known as the Fernhill property, located on the Northern side of Lakeshore Boulevard at the western most limit of Long Branch (directly north of historical munitions factory, see 1921 business directory). On this property was a deserted mansion, locally known as “the haunted house”, which was, in 1894, rebuilt and remodeled as a Clubhouse; and this quaint building remained the home of the Club for nearly twenty years.
Plans are underway to incorporate the former "Arsenal Lands" into the Marie Curtis Park West park extension; Marie Curtis Park West being located in Toronto, while the 'Arsenal Lands' are in Mississauga, Peel Region. The Federal Government had owned all lands south of Lake Shore Road, between the Etobicoke River to just west of Cawthra Road, from the late 1800s into the early 20th-Century.
==== C.P. Rail Industrial Section ====
This area spans from Birmingham Avenue to Horner Avenue, and is historically the site of most of Long Branch's heavy industries that utilized the railway around the turn of 1900's until about the 1950-60's. Industries included the recycling of glass, and the manufacturing of tires, fabrics, appliances, automotive parts, textiles, beverages, munitions, and much more.
This section currently is greatly in need of additional information from historians.
==== The Marina and Water Works ====
The part of these grounds closest the waterfront was a locally renowned amateur BMX & motocross trail with focal point known as [[Devil]]'s Ditch, until its transformation into Col. Sam Smith Park.
The Lakeshore Water Works drinking water treatment facility located just south of Humber College at the front of Lake Ontario was one of the first facilities of its type in North America to chlorinate lake water for human consumption. It is still in operation today.
==== Humber College South Campus ====
A section of these grounds were used for various odd purposes including the filming of [[Police Academy (film)]]. The remaining portion of these grounds included an apple orchard on the west side of the property and the extended campuses of Humber College.
==== Marie Curtis Park and Snag Fishing Area====
[[File:Marie Curtis Park.jpg|thumb|right|Marie Curtis Park]]
This section currently is in need of additional information from historians.
==== Lake Promenade Park and Veteran's Memorial====
This section currently is in need of additional information from historians.
==== Long Branch Aerodrome ====
The Long Branch Aerodrome has the distinction of being the first Aerodrome in Canada and home to the first flying training school. The aerodrome, situated on a 100 acre property on Lakeshore Road, just west of Dixie Road in Mississauga, opened on 20 May 1915 by Curtiss Aeroplanes and Motors Company for the Royal Flying Corps. Aircraft such as the Curtiss JN-4 soon became a common sight at the airfield, which included 3 aircraft hangars.
In January 1917, the newly designated Royal Flying Corps, Canada, the forerunner to the Royal Canadian Air Force, opened the RFC Training Centre at Long Branch. The Long Branch training centre also provided instruction on flying boats at nearby Hanlon's Point in Toronto Harbour, the first seaplane base in Canada.
By July 1917, the flight school re-located to the Armour Heights Aerodrome. Long Branch became the Cadet Ground Training School for the Royal Flying Corps. Both the school and the aerodrome closed in 1919.
During World War II, the former aerodrome served initially as 21 Non-permanent Active Militia Training centre and then as an army small arms training centre. After the war, the Lakeview Armoury was established on the site, but was demolished in he 1950s.
Not the slightest trace remains of the airfield today. From 1962 - 2005, the property was Ontario Power Generation's Lakeview Generating Station. The only remnants of the aerodrome's facilities are the water tower, a concrete wall (possibly one the backstop for the small arms range) and some wooden walls (possibly part of an obstacle course).
In September 1969, a plaque was erected at the site to commemorate Canada's first Aerodrome.
Source Material: http://www.waynecook.com/apeel.html - Historic Plaques of Peel, information provided by Eric Gibson, The Mississauga Heritage Foundation (2004), the personal recollections of Tim Baetz, resident of Midland area (2004), "History of Canadian Airports" by T. M. McGrath, Ontario Power Generation web site - www.opg.com/ops/lakeviewfinal.pdf & the personal recollections of the author (2004).
==Institutions==
===Noteable local businesses, current and historical===
** [[Alberto-CulverCastrol]] Oils
* [http://www.newtorontohistorical.com/Almont%20Hotel.htm Almont Hotel], now Phantom Lounge night club
* [[Boc Gases]]
* [[Castrol]] Oils
* [[Chrysler]] Castings
* Consumers Glass
* [[Fabrikoid|Dupont Fabrikoid]]
* [[Faber-Castell]]
* [http://www.gabriel.com Gabriel Shock Absorbers]
* [[Gilbey's]] Brewery
* [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company]]
* [http://www.ikea.ca IKEA]
* [http://www.lakeshoreauto.ca Lakeshore Auto Collision]
* [http://www.torontolife.com/guide/food/delis-northern-european/lein-delicatessen/ Lein Delicatessen] (Lein's)
* [http://www.lakeshorehonda.com Marino's Fine Cars]
* [http://www.Mediacom.com Mediacom]
* [http://www.nanowavetech.com Nanowave Technologies]
* [http://www.northqueenauto.com North Queen Auto Wreckers]
* [http://www.kinectrics.com Ontario Power Generation] Research Facility
* [[PPG Industries|Pittsburgh Paints]]
* Pluto's Tatoo Parlour
* Schuster Electric
* [http://www.sherwaygardens.ca Sherway Gardens]
* [http://www.sico.ca/ Sico Paints] formerly site of Desoto Inc.
* Small Arms Ltd. [http://www.ontarioabandonedplaces.com/upload/wiki.asp?entry=3472 Canadian Arsenals Ltd.]
* [http://www.penthousemagazine.com The New Elegance] Barber Shoppe
*[http://choicefireplace.ca WoodCraft Stove & Fireplace Inserts] Fireplace Depot
===Schools===
School
* [[Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School]]
* [[Humber College]] Lakeshore Campus
* [[James S. Bell Junior Middle School]]
* [[Lakeshore Collegiate Institute]] Lakeshore C.I. Public School
Loop looking west in late 2007.]]
*[http://www.torontogolfclub.com The Toronto Golf Club]
*[http://www.ccfew.org/html/sam_smith_park.html Colonel Sam Smith Park]
*[http://oldgus.com/ Gus Ryder Sports Complex]
* [[Lakeshore Lions Arena]]
*[http://www.lakeshorearena.ca Mastercard Center], new Lakeshore Arena, home to Faustina Hockey League
* Long Branch Bowl
* Long Branch Centennial Arena
===Notable Persons===
====[[Businessperson|Businessmen]]====
*Bennet Jacob
*Herbie Schuster
*Joseph Polczer
*Marino D'Alessandro
Additional information from business community, past and present, welcomed here.
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