History of Liberty Village
In the late 1700s and early 1800s the area now known as Liberty Village was part of the Garrison Common -a military fortification for the Town of York (which would later become Toronto). Historic Fort York, located at 100 Garrison Road,served as the base for the Canadian militia in the Battle of York against the Americans in 1813.
The arrival of the railway to this area in the 1850s attracted industry, which in turn led to the building of warehouses and factories.Many of these are now enjoying a new purpose in Liberty Village as funky lofts, hip live/work spaces and studio offices. The name Liberty Village is said to be a reference to the Central Prison and the Mercer Reformatory for Women that were situated here in the late1800s and early 1900s.Story has it that Liberty Street -the neighbourhood’s main east-west thoroughfare -is so named because it was the first ground prisoners set foot on upon their release.
