When I started my blog nearly ten years ago I wrote about places to hike and things to see in and around the GTA. Primarily it was about hiking. Over the years it has turned into more of a local history blog because this is my passion. The past two years I have had a job that takes me all over Ontario and so I share my experiences.
If I was starting it over again I would probably choose another name. I could change it now, but going back and redoing the names and all the links in 591 stories is an impossible task. So, I decided to leave it as Hiking the GTA and just keep sharing my photography and writing for those that care to come along for the journey. I hope you enjoy the stories or the photos even if they are sometimes outside of the GTA.
Hiking the GTA 
Hello hikingthegta,
I’m admin for 2oldguyswalking. Thanks for the follow. I’ve returned it through WordPress and expect you will get another from Ranger soon.
My story is exactly the opposite of yours. I was born and raised in Toronto, but have lived in small town Southern Ontario for the last few decades. In my youth, I likely explored alot of the areas you do now. I look forward to readiing on and seeing how things have changed in my old stomping grounds.
Bushwhacker
Great site. I was born and raised country. Love blogs on abandoned rail lines, saw and grist mills, rustic abandoned buildings and most things country. Keep up the good work.
Ranger.
I truly appreciate all the information you supply alongside your pictures. I first found about your page from writing about my hometown in Georgetown at the Barber Mill and have been completely fascinated from there on. Thank you for all you do and keep up the great work.
Rhianna
Finally, a group of country born n’ raised who similar to me grew-up playing/exploring& learning in the great outdoors!
Just found your sight and find it quite interesting. However your comments regarding Maclaren castle are incorrect. It was not completely destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in the mid 1980’s.. I used to live there until 2011.
Regards, Linda
Hi Linda, Thanks for the update on Maclaren castle.
Hello. I saw on one of your articles you found a vinegar bottle from 1958. I found one that was vey similar to yours. I was wondering how you dated the bottle and if you could suggest any resources for me to use. It was from Canada Vinegars Limited. Hope you can help!
If the bottle has a date it will be on the bottom, often to the right of the bottle manufacturer’s logo. IE: Consumer’s Glass has a C in a triangle, Dominion Glass has a D. Not all bottles were dated.
Love, love this blog. Thank you for sharing your adventures and historical Toronto. Would love to make some suggestions for more adventures/history! send me an email and I will explain…
Please send me your email at jointherapture@yahoo.ca
I love to explore my neighbor hood around Maple Valley park in Markham. If you want to explore this area, feel free to contact me.
Love your site, very interesting history research. A lot of helpful information..
This sounds like my childhood on a farm near Alliston, Ontario (the closest hamlet was called Egbert). Our TV got 3 channels if we got the rabbit ears in just the right position 🙂 We had 100 acres of fields and woods to explore, and two creeks to paddle in. I miss it very much! I’ve found myself revisiting those days during pandemic lockdowns and am spending a lot of time outdoors walking with my dog in quiet spots around my new town of Paris.
Interesting article about the Don Valley Brickworks, I thought at first you were referring to the Don Valley in Yorkshire UK, more confusing was the mention of Todmorden, which is an industrial town in the east of Lancashire, UK. Fascinating to see that these locations are reproduced in Canada!
Thanks again for your article on Brougham and for updating it to include reference to Land Over Landings. We wanted to include a link in our Update. Do we have your permission?
Also, though you might be interested in our media package re the 50th anniversary of expropriation: https://landoverlandings.com/media-advisory-50th-anniversary-resource-package/
I was hoping someone could help me with this. My father bought the land at Bathurst and Hwy 7 in 1954 and it was lot #34. The farmer he bought it from was Randall Paige and the original crown grant was given to Nicholas Cober in 1798. I was wondering where I might be able to find the owners between the time of the original owner and Paige. I also grew up knowing the Bakers, Wingers and some others but not many descendants are around now but we still live on a small lot.
Hello,
I would like permission to add excerpts from your posts re Trafalgar Township, Halton County (Omagh, Palermo, Turner Chapel in Oakville, Sixteen Hollow, Hornby, Munn’s Corners) for a book about the early churches of Trafalgar that I am compiling. Thanks.
K. Baker, Mississauga, Ontario.
Hi Kathy,
Go ahead. You’re welcome to use whatever you like. Please just make a reference to the source.
Just stumbled on your blog and I love it !!
I will now go through and read them all
Thank you for your hard work and dedication documenting this very interesting history of our changing communities
your information about Roy Nordheimer death is wrong. he died in 1981 not 1921. he had the buildings removed in 1924 then sold for residential development in 1928.
roy had the 5 family members on the property mausoleum transferred in 1923 to mount pleasant cemetery.
Thanks for catching that typo.