Scarborough, Ontario, boasts a rich history evident in its diverse historical sites. From archaeological finds like the Alexandria Site, a Huron-Wendat village, to the Bead Hill National Historic Site, a 17th-century Seneca village, the area reveals its indigenous past. European settlement is represented by Thomson Memorial Park, the former farm of Scarborough's first settlers, and the Scarborough Museum, showcasing the region's development. Other notable sites include the Cornell House and the McCowan Log House within the museum, offering insights into rural life. Additionally, the Scarborough Walk of Fame at the Scarborough Town Centre celebrates notable individuals from the area. 


Overview of Scarborough's Historical Sites:

Archaeological Sites:
Alexandria Site: This site reveals evidence of a Huron-Wendat village, including longhouses and sweat lodges. 

Bead Hill National Historic Site: A late 17th-century Seneca village and burial area within Rouge Valley Park, along with an earlier Archaic period campsite. 

Ossuary at Bellamy and Lawrence: A burial site discovered in 1956, later reconsecrated by Indigenous groups, according to the Scarborough Historical Society. 


European Settlement:
Thomson Memorial Park: The former farm of David and Mary Thomson, Scarborough's first European settlers, now a park featuring the Scarborough Museum. 

Scarborough Museum: Located in Thomson Memorial Park, the museum showcases Scarborough's history from its founding to its development as a suburb. 

Cornell House: A well-preserved farmhouse at the museum, offering a glimpse into rural life in 1914. 

McCowan Log House: Restored to its 1850s appearance, showcasing life in early Scarborough. 

Scarborough Village: A planned subdivision dating back to 1856, centered around Markham Road
and Eglinton Avenue. 

William Thomson House: Located at 1 St. Andrew's Rd., marked by the Scarborough Historical Society. 

Jeremiah Annis House: Situated at 3750 Kingston Rd., also marked by the Scarborough Historical Society. 

William Devenish House: Located at 1355 Victoria Park Ave., marked by the Scarborough Historical Society. 

Cultural Sites:
Scarborough Walk of Fame: Located at the Scarborough Town Centre, this landmark celebrates notable individuals from Scarborough. 



Oldest Locations in Scarborough
Scarborough's oldest locations include Scarborough Village, Thomson Settlement, and the Cornell House, each reflecting different aspects of the area's early development. Scarborough Village emerged as a crossroads settlement with a post office and school. The Thomson Settlement was established by stonemasons and millers, while the Cornell House offers a glimpse into rural village life. 

Scarborough Village:
-Established in the early 1800s by settlers like the Cornell and Secor families. 
-Became the first community in the Township of Scarborough to have a post office in 1832. 
-A subdivision was laid out in 1856, with a school built in 1860. 
-Centered around Markham Road and Eglinton Avenue, extending to Highland Creek and McCowan Road. 
-Featured businesses like a general store, blacksmith shop, and a railway hotel by the 1890s. 
-A Via Rail line was established north of Eglinton in 1930, impacting traffic on Kingston Road. 

Thomson Settlement:
-Founded by David and Andrew Thomson, stonemasons who worked on the first Parliament buildings for York.
-They established mills along Highland Creek, contributing to the settlement's growth. 

Cornell House:
-A fieldstone farmhouse built in 1858 by Charles Cornell.
-Located at the Scarborough Museum, offering a look into rural village life circa 1914.
-Charles' father, William Cornell, arrived in Scarborough in 1799 and established the township's first sawmill.
-William Cornell also helped construct the road that later became Kingston Road. 

Other notable mentions:
-The Huron-Wendat First Nations inhabited the area for centuries before European settlement. 
-An ossuary was discovered at Bellamy Road and Lawrence Avenue East in 1956, indicating early habitation. 
-The Scarborough War Memorial, erected in 1931, stands as a monument to soldiers of World War I and later conflicts. 
-Guild Park and Gardens, formerly known as the Guild Inn, was a site of historical significance, once an artist's colony and later a hotel. 
-Early settlers also included families like the Annis brothers, who squatted on land in the area.