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York, Upper Canada





HISTORY

The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe , on the site of an existing settlement named Toronto. He believed it would be a superior location for the Capital of Upper Canada , which was then at Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake ), as the new site would be less vulnerable to attack by the Americans . He renamed the location York after Frederick, Duke Of York , George III 's second son. York became the capital of Upper Canada on February 1 , 1796 .


WAR

York was attacked by American forces during the War Of 1812 , pillaged, and partially burned down on April 27 , 1813 . (For details, please see Battle Of York .)


END OF YORK

On March 6 , 1834 , York was incorporated as the City of Toronto. The first Mayor Of Toronto was William Lyon Mackenzie . However, Toronto was part of the regional division of York County from the late 1700 s until the establishment of Metro Toronto in 1954. After 1954 , York County was the area north of Steeles Avenue and later renamed York Region in 1971 .


YORK LIVES ON


The York name continues in Toronto: