Geography and History of Cabbagetown

Cabbagetown is a residential neighbourhood located on the east side of downtown Toronto.

It got it's name from the Irish immigrants who moved there in the 1800's, and notoriously grew cabbages in their front yards. It's known in the realty world for having "the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in all of North America", according to the Cabbagetown preservation association.

Things to do in Cabbagetown

If you ever find yourself in Cabbagetown bored, no need to worry. There's lots of attractions and events going on to keep you entertained. Some of the best places in the city (let alone in this neighbourhood) to visit include Riverdale farm, where you can submerge yourself in farm life while still technically being downtown. This old Victorian styled farm is stunning to see all four seasons out of the year, not just for the animals, but for the natural beauty of the area, right on the edge of the Don Valley. A cool fact about Riverdale Farm, is that it actually used to be the Toronto Zoo before it was relocated. Old timers will tell you where they used to have the lion and monkey cages. Right beside the farm, is Riverdale hill west, a great place to take your dog for a walk, go for a hike, or try to capture a picture of the city skyline.

 Cabbagetown has quite a few festivals as well, like the Cabbagetown Festival which takes place every second weekend in September, and the Forsythia Festival which takes place on the first Sunday of May. Both of these festivals celebrate the neighbourhood's culture and the arts.

Cabbagetown Problems and Issues

As a resident of Cabbagetown, I'd have to say the crime rate has really increased in the area over the last couple of years. I know of a few neighbours and friends who have been targeted for robberies and or violent attacks. When you personally know people affected by an issue, and hear stories on the news about locations you pass everyday, it makes it much more real. I used to feel safe walking home at night, and over the last year have noticed myself checking over my shoulder a lot more often.

Cabbagetown is part of the Toronto Centre riding, which is due for a by-election on November 25th 2013, due to Bob Rae stepping down as leader of the Liberal party this summer, (thanks again Bob Rae for wasting taxpayers time and money.) 

The Billy Bishop airport expansion could affect Cabbagetowners with not only air pollution but noise pollution as well (since we fall under the flight path,) and has some residents worried.

Cabbagetown in the news: Murderer of two women captured and awaiting trial

Last fall on October 23rd 2012 at 7am Nighisti Semret, a 55 year old hotel worker was stabbed to death brutally in a Cabbagetown alley while walking on her way home from work. A man was captured on surveillance cameras before police believe he stabbed her numerous times. The media at the time gave the impression that it was a random killing, and the mystery continued for months without any suspect in sight. Then on May 24th 2013 a grizzly discovery of a woman's torso stuffed into a suitcase, found at Jane and Eglinton was able to somehow be linked back to the Nighisti Semret murder case. Police were able to identify the second victim as 28 year old Rigat Essag Ghirmay, by DNA found in her apartment (located in the Cabbagetown area,) as well as identify the male DNA found from Ghirmay's apartment with the autopsy of her body parts and link it to the DNA samples found under Semret's fingernails. Thanks to the trail of DNA evidence, police were able to identify and arrest 44 year old Adonay Zekarias, who is said to have been living with Ghirmay at the time of her murder. Both victims and suspect are all of Eritean decent, which leads police to conclude that the stabbing of Semret must have been a planned attack. Police also believe that Ghirmay's murder may have occurred in order to stop her from coming forward with information about Zekarias's possible involvement with the murder, as Ghirmay's murder was estimated to have occurred shortly after police released to the public that the stabbing suspect was also injured and suffered cuts on his hands during the ordeal, information Ghirmay is likely to have known since she lived with the suspect. Adonay Zekarias is charged with two counts of first degree murder and commiting an indignity to a dead body. The motive for Semret's murder is still unclear and all of Ghirmay's body parts have still not been found, so police urge anyone with information to come forward.
Although the neighbourhood breathed a sigh of relief that a murderer is behind bars, we also mourn at the loss of another member of the community being slain needlessly at the hands of a ruthless killer.

Notable Cabbagetowner

Gordon Sinclair

Allan Gordon Sinclair was a Canadian writer, journalist and commentator. Born in Cabbagetown in June 3, 1900. After dropping out of school in 1916, Sinclair worked for a bank, Eaton's, and was a part time soldier in world war 1. In 1922 he was hired as a reporter by the Toronto Star, and quickly became popular. After travelling overseas to India for an assignment, he returned to Toronto to write his first novel "foot loose in India" published in 1932. He continued to travel and write best sellers about his experiences and knowledge gained overseas. Eventually let go by the Star, some questioned the validity of Sinclair's experiences he wrote about. He was again hired by the Star and continued travelling overseas until world war two. After writing and reporting a story about the Dieppe raids on CFRB radio, Sinclair was then fired again, due to the Star's policy of reporters not broadcasting on air. In 1943 he officially joined CFRB, becoming part owner until his death. in 1959 he started his television career on CBC's "Front Page", where he was a panelist for 27 years.  He caused an uproar in 1969 asking Olympian Swimmer Elaine Tanner if her menstration got in the way of her training. "The Americans (A Canadian's Opinion)" rose to #24 on the Billboard Hot 100, a radio broadcast Sinclair made in reference to the American Red Cross running out of money at the time, commenting that when in their time of need, America seemed to be on their own for aid. Sinclair became the 2nd-oldest living person ever to have a billboard U.S. Top 40 hit. This same broadcast was praised by Ronald Reagan and was even given light on the internet and in newspapers again after the September 11th 2001 attacks. In 1979 Sinclair was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. Passing away at the age of 83, while still working full time.

Links to Cabbagetown Resources

For information about:

The Cabbagetown Festival
www.cabbagetownfestival.org/

Cabbagetown news stories and events
oldcabbagetown.com/

Riverdale Farm
www.riverdalefarm.ca/