The small town of King City is home to many different businesses. It’s the largest community in this township and has its own municipal government office. The diverse economy allows for international corporations as well as smaller organizations to ay their foundation in King. The village is situated just north of Vaughan.
As the location of the municipal government, King City has a close relationship with the rest of the Township of King. The largest of these communities are Schomberg and Nobleton.
King City is a rural community with urban amenities. Located close to Highway 400, it’s only ten minutes away from all of the shops and dining options in Vaughan as well! With quick access both north (to Oak Ridges) south( minimize your commute time by travelling via 401), this little village will have something for everyone who calls King home
History
EARLY PIONEERS
In 1793 John Graves Simcoe travelled through the area that we now call King City on his way to the Holland River. The trip was just one leg of his journey to Georgian Bay.
The township was first laid out in 1800 by a surveyor named Stegmann. As early as 1797 European settlers had laid claim to the lands in the region. The Township of King was named after British undersecretary of state John King sometime around 1836. King City was incorporated as a village in 1890.
By the 1840s the settlers had harnessed the power of the local streams and established mills. Initially, saw mills, such as the one Joseph Baldwin established at Laskay in 1840, were more important. These mills helped the settlers clear the heavily forested land.
By 1851 there were 21 sawmills operating in the area. The deforested area became prime farmland. Other areas were too hilly and broken to be cultivated because of the Oak Ridges Moraine.
HENRY PELLATT & MARYLAKE
In the early 1900s the business tycoon Henry Pellatt began to develop property at Mary Lake. He had made a fortune as one of the founders of the Toronto Electric Light Company.
Pellatt built the famous Casa Loma in Toronto and intended on building a country retreat at Mary Lake. He named his property Marylake after his wife.
Later, in the 1940s, the property was taken over by Augustinian monks. It is now known as the Shrine at Marylake.
Overview
King City offers a quiet lifestyle and rural atmosphere. These factors attract newcomers from more populated regions, yet living in King City by no means restricts access to the GTA.
The excellent access that the village has to the GTA has made it the ideal place to do business, as evidenced by the many major employers who operate here. These include R. B. Somerville, LGL Environmental, Kingbridge Conference Centre, and Seneca College.
King is a small town with an interesting history. The Township of King sits on the Oak Ridges Moraine, which gives it some rugged terrain and natural beauty that you won’t find anywhere else!
In the north of the township, the Holland River Marsh creates one of the most fertile agricultural zones in the province.
With a population of over 6,000, King City is a growing community that attracts immigrants from all over the world.
Real Estate in King City
Housing in King City and the Township of King is a perfect match for those who want privacy, community values as well modern amenities. There are rural estates with stunning views to spacious homes just minutes from downtown Drummondville!
The majority of homes in the Township of King are located in King City, the largest town in the area. Houses in the township are large, owing to the abundance of space available for development outside of the city centre. More than 6,900 of these homes have more than 3 bedrooms.
The real estate market in King City has seen unprecedented growth over the last 20 years. In fact, since 2001 more than 2,700 houses have been built which provides prospective buyers many opportunities to enter this booming area’s housing market!
Interested in buying or selling property in King City?
Contact one of our sales representatives or browse recent listings to continue exploring real estate opportunities in King. You can reach us with more pressing questions by calling 416-917-5466.
Shopping
There are many local shops and services as well as major chain stores available in the village of King. Shopping in King City is concentrated on King Road (York Region 11). At the corner of Dufferin Street (York Region 53) and King Road there is a shopping centre, which will fulfill any basic shopping needs.
As a smaller town, it doesn’t have the big box store or boutique shopping experience offered in larger suburbs like Richmond Hill or North York.
Nearby in the Township of King, there are shopping opportunities available in Schomberg and Nobleton. Schomberg’s shopping district is centred on Highway 27 and Main Street. In Nobleton there are shopping venues on Highway 27 and King Road. Oak Ridges is only a short drive from King City and features a shopping district on Yonge Street.
Outside the Township of King, some of the best shopping in Ontario is only minutes away from King City. In Vaughan the Vaughan Mills shopping centre is not far off. Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill is also nearby. Similarly, SmartCentres Aurora is only minutes away.
Recreation
King City is a great place to live if you’re looking for outdoor activities and family-friendly amenities. Residents can take part in many public programs, facilities, or head out into nature with its excellent access!
PARKS
The expansive and rural nature of the Township of King leaves it rich with parks and conservation areas. There are over 90 hectares of parkland and over 250 hectares of open green space in the township.
In King City alone there are 11 parks with a wide variety of amenities plus many trails to enjoy throughout the township. King City has its own trail system for residents to enjoy.
It’s also home to some of the most remarkable conservation areas in the GTA. These protected areas preserve the unique ecosystems of the Oak Ridges Moraine. The Moraine and local marshlands are the headwaters for Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario, serving a critical role in local ecology.
The Cold Creek Conservation Area is one of the reserves which preserves these important watersheds.
This 190 hectare park features 6.6 kilometres of trails. Another significant open area is the Thornton Bales Conservation Area. It is nicknamed “The 99 Steps” because of its steep slopes and rugged beauty.
Finally, the Goldie Feldman Nature Reserve features 298 hectares of protected old-growth forest and 2.5 kilometres of hiking trails.
RECREATION CENTRES
In the centre of King City sits a recreation centre called the King City Community Centre and Arena. It features an auditorium, meeting rooms, and a skating rink. Both Stromberg and Nobleton have very similar facilities, with the Trisan Centre in Stromberg also having a curling rink.
Nearby recreation centres include: the Oak Ridges Community Centre in Oak Ridges and the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex in Aurora.
Schools
A concern among prospective King City residents might be long bussing times to access schools, although that’s not the case. There are many education options in the township for young students.
York Regional District School Board operates six schools in the township. This includes an elementary and secondary school in King City.
York Catholic District School Board runs five schools in the region including one in King City.
Transportation
It’s convenient to get around King City and the surrounding township. Commuting into Toronto or other parts of the GTA is made easy by the presence of several 400 series highways.
Beyond driving a car, there are many public transit options including buses and trains. The system can’t contend with the scale of larger cities but it’s an option for those who don’t want to drive around town all day long.
TRAVELLING BY CAR
The centre of King City is located at the intersection of Keele Street and King Road. Keele street can be used as a route into Vaughan, while King Road connects King City to Oak Ridges. King Road is also an efficient way to get to Highway 400.
Highway 400 is a major roadway that passes through the centre of the Township of King. It passes near King City, Nobleton, and Stromberg. It’s the fastest route to travel north to Barrie or south to Toronto and the 401. Highway 404 is also not far to the east.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
The rural nature of the Township of King lends itself most readily to driving. But commuters who do not want to drive or do not have access to a car have a few options in King City.
Public transit in the township is provided by York Regional Transportation. Bus routes 96 and 88 make regular stops in King City. Mobility On-Request service is available throughout the rest of the township.
YRT keeps King City connected with the other nine communities that make up the York Region. It also provides important transit connections with public transit in the City of Toronto, Peel Region, and Durham Region.
TRAVELLING BY RAIL
One of the most important transit connections, which sets King City apart from the rest of the Township of King, is the King City GO station. This provides the village direct access to trains travelling on the GO Barrie line.
Commuting on the train is one of the fastest ways to get anywhere between downtown Toronto and Barrie. VIA Rail also provides the station with service.
Have Questions About Real Estate in King City?
With our expertise, we can answer any questions you may have regarding real estate in King City. Don’t hesitate to contact us.