Small's Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smalls Creek |
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Smalls Creek flowed into Smalls Pond
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| Country | Canada |
| State | Ontario |
| Municipality | Toronto |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Smalls Pond |
| Length | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
Smalls Creek was a small stream that once flowed into a pond called Smalls Pond in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was one of three streams that fed into this pond. Smalls Creek, along with Tomlin's Creek and Ashbridge's Creek, were important parts of the natural landscape in this area before Toronto grew into a big city.
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Smalls Creek: A Lost Toronto Stream
Smalls Creek was a short stream, only about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long. It started on a flat area of land between Lake Ontario and some old cliffs. These cliffs were once the shore of a much larger ancient lake called Glacial Lake Iroquois. The creek's source, or where it began, was not far from where it ended.
Where Was Smalls Creek Located?
Smalls Creek flowed into Smalls Pond, which was a small body of water covering a few acres. This pond was located near the intersection of Queen Street and Kingston Road in Toronto. The area where the creek and pond were found is now part of a busy city neighborhood.
How Did Smalls Creek Get Its Name?
The creek and the pond were named after a man named Charles Coxwell Small. He was a gentleman farmer, which means he owned a farm but also had other important jobs. Charles Small was the Clerk of Upper Canada's Privy Council, which was a group of advisors to the government of Upper Canada a long time ago.
Mr. Small built a dam on the creeks that flowed through his property. A dam is a barrier that holds back water. By damming the creeks, he created a "millpond." A millpond is a pond used to power a "sawmill," which is a factory that cuts logs into lumber. This use of the water gave the creek and pond their names.
What Happened to Smalls Creek?
By the early 1900s, the areas around Smalls Creek and the other nearby streams were becoming part of the growing city of Toronto. As the city expanded, these small streams became polluted. People started to worry about the cleanliness of the water.
After several years of discussions, a decision was made in 1909. Smalls Creek, Tomlin's Creek, and Ashbridge's Creek were all buried underground. They were turned into "sewers," which are underground pipes that carry away wastewater. Smalls Pond also became very polluted. In 1935, the pond was drained of its water and filled in with earth. Today, you would not see Smalls Creek or Smalls Pond because they are completely gone, hidden beneath the city.
