Toronto, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toronto
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Neighborhood
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Railroad crossing at former site of Toronto station.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Sangamon County |
| City | Springfield |
| Elevation | 591 ft (180 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
62712
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| Area code(s) | 217 |
Toronto is a neighborhood in Springfield, Illinois. It used to be a small, rural community. Toronto got its name from a train station on the Illinois Central Railroad. You can find it near the "Toronto Road" exit on Interstate 55. Today, the Toronto area in Springfield is mostly south of Interstate 72 and east of Interstate 55, next to Lake Springfield.
History of Toronto
Toronto began in the 1800s as a train stop. It was on the Illinois Central Railroad line. This stop was about six miles south of Springfield, Illinois, the state capital. Farmers would bring fresh food like vegetables and milk to the train station. From there, the food was sent to nearby cities. The train stop might have been named after the big city of Toronto in Canada.
In the late 1960s, a new state university was built close to the old Toronto area. This university campus is now the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). It is about 1.5 miles northeast of where Toronto used to be. Most of the original Toronto land has now become part of Springfield. The old rural area has turned into a busy neighborhood near the university. The name "Toronto Road" still reminds everyone of the community's past.
Economy and Community
Even though Toronto is now part of Springfield, it still has its own special economy. This economy is greatly shaped by the UIS campus. Other important places in the area include the Capital Area Career Center and Lincoln Land Community College. There are also parks along the lakefront that add to the local economy.
