From the Archives
Teston Village
The City of Vaughan’s archives house more than 600 collections dating from the early 1700s to the present day. Within these files are the stories of how Vaughan evolved from the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island to the bustling city it is today.
Let’s look back at our history and share the stories of the people, places and moments that helped shape the city we know today. This month’s feature is on Teston Village.
Teston Village’s story begins between 1847 and 1852, when an English settler with the last name of Thane arrived from the village of Heyshaw in Lancashire, England. As more newcomers joined him, many of whom were also from Lancashire, the small settlement became known as Thanesville. Early families included the Wilsons, Garners, Jacksons and Lunds.
In 1867, the community adopted a new name: Teston. The name honoured the birthplace of another early settler who came from Teston, near Maidstone in Kent, England.
Over time, Teston Village grew into a vibrant community that supported a wide range of services, including two general stores, a church, two halls, a blacksmith shop, a woodworking shop, a business, a school, a hotel and a beer store. Two churches, the Teston United Church and the Teston Methodist Church, served the spiritual needs of the community. Community spirit continued to grow. In 1879, the Teston Citizens’ Band was formed under the leadership of Abram Carley. The band soon gained recognition and performed at the Canadian National Exhibition.
Today, Teston is a suburban neighbourhood and former hamlet located at the intersection of Teston Road and Jane Street in the city of Vaughan. The history of Teston Village offers a window into Vaughan’s early days and serves as a reminder of how small groups of newcomers, working together, helped build the foundations of the city we know today.
VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
Looking for more information about the history of Vaughan? The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The following galleries are available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
Historical Families of Vaughan
Historical Photography
Past Mayors of Vaughan
Prohibition in Vaughan
Recollections of Rural Vaughan
The Great Depression in Vaughan
The Mary Wood Collection
The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
Vaughan’s Forgotten Heroes
Vaughan Lodge Fonds
Vaughan Working Environments
Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine, Music and Sports and Recreation
and more!
A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database or contact the City by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.
By managing and preserving both City and community records, the City’s Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.
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