The Victorian Cabbagetown Photo Essay

Cabbagetown Victorian houses
The streets in Cabbagetown are lined with beautiful Victorian houses

Click individual photos to enlarge them.

We are introducing a brand new series of Photo Essays! Have a look at amazing Photo Sets all shot by talented photographers. Explore the vibe of the city, its hidden treasures, meet the Torontonians! This time, let's have a look at Toronto through the lens of George Peters!

Cabbagetown trimmed gardens
The houses peek from behind the many perfectly trimmed front yards.

Cabbagetown is undoubtedly among Toronto's most picturesque neighbourhoods. You would see for yourself, walking past the many beautiful Victorian houses with perfectly groomed gardens. No wonder this 19th-century flavour attracts many artists, musicians, and writers to reside here; but you will see a lot of young families around too! The strong community spirit of its residents is put on display during the Cabbagetown Fall Festival every September, where you can enjoy fun activities such as the annual mini marathon, concerts, walking tours, and a huge yard sale.

Wondering where the funny name came from? The most frequent explanation is that thousands of Irish immigrants leaving their homeland during the Great Potato Famine settled here in the 1840s and started to grow cabbages in their front lawns. Hence the neighbourhood flag, a green cabbage on a white background!

The most dominant feature of the neighbourhood, the Victorian homes, was restored by new home buyers during the 1970s and '80s. Today, you can admire one of the best preserved collections of Victorian homes in all of North America, and even live in one of them if you consider buying a property in this popular neighbourhood. Did you know that Cabbagetown is recognized as an Ontario Heritage Conservation district? Walk the streets and see the red brick cottages set in enchanted lane-ways. It's a true downtown community, well hidden between the many trees. It also features two of the city's oldest cemeteries, St. James and the Necropolis.

St James Cemetery Statue
St James Cemetery belongs to the oldest cemeteries in Toronto.
Victorian homes Cabbagetown
Just imagine that this would be your home!
Cabbagetown garden
 
The Riverdale farm
The Riverdale farm located in the Riverdale Park was Toronto's very first ZOO.
Riverdale animal farm
Animals such as cows, horses, sheep, pigs or rabbits can be seen in barns and paddocks.
Daily chores at a farmFind out all about the daily chores on a farm such as feeding, milking, egg collecting or grooming.
Stables Riverdale farm
Stables at Riverdale animal farm
Bird box
Cabbagetown house

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Meet the Photographer

 
George Peters Photographer

George Peters

The Photographer behind this beautiful Cabbagetown photo essay spends his days taking photos and creating digital images and
loves visiting Toronto.

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