The Gazetteer of British North America, 1873, lists Norway as a "post village in York county Ontario, 4 1/2 miles from Toronto. It contains 1 store, 1 hotel and a brewery. Pop. 80"
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| Norway House, standing on the south side of Kingston Road just east of Woodbine Avenue was typical of many hotels in the suburbs of Toronto, heavily patronized by farmers on their way to and from market. |
The village grew around the Norway steam mills established in 1837. The Smith family were the owners and operators of the store and hotel. According to George Walton's City of Toronto and Home District Commercial Directory for 1837, Thomas Smith was "living in York Township". Another early record
(Inhabitants of Toronto, Ontario 1850: Norman Crowder) lists Thomas Smith as the occupant (owner) of the Norway Steam Saw-Mills Inn. The April 15th edition of the Ontario Register had a death notice for Ann Smith, age 17, who died at the residence of her father, Norway Steam Saw Mill. "(Norway 1854)... known originally as Benlamond, developed around another of those infuriating toll houses. James Smith. the toll keeper, also had time to operate a store and the Norway House Hotel."
[Toronto's Lost Villages, Ron Brown]
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| The area known as Norway and Benlamond is today called the "Beaches" because of its proximity to the popular sandy beaches of Lake Ontario. |
[Ontario Census 1861] Thomas is described as a "tavern keeper". James is also living in the building described as "two stories; 1/2 acre of land, $5000 invested; 2000 gallons of liquor valued at $1500 consumed per year. The remarks column states: English Church cost $500 contains about 100 sittings.
Of all the lost villages that have become part of Toronto, none has more legends surrounding its beginning than the almost forgotten village of Norway. This old village had no corporate limits and it would be difficult to say exactly where its boundaries were.
Even the source of the name is a mystery but the area was known for its Norway red pines. In 1835, the Norway Steam Sawmills were established near the corner of woodbine and Kingston road by the iron mongers, Wragg & Co., which advertised Norway pine as a specialty. At that time, Kingston Road was a toll-road with a toll-gate at Woodbine Avenue. An unincorporated village developed around the crossroads and the mill, including stores, taverns and hotels.
[100 Years: Norway Public School 1896-1996]
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