Long before the Don Valley Parkway and Hwy. 404, Yonge Street was the main artery going up and down Victorian era Toronto.

In 1850’s Toronto, the tallest building was the newly built Church of Holy Trinity. Rosedale only had 6 houses and was still considered “countryside”, the very edge of urbanization.

After paying a toll at the Gatekeepers Cottage near Wychwood Park, and a few hours of riding North, the 2-horsepower carriage is exhausted, and looking for a place to “fill-up”.

As a rest stop for horses and travelers, York Mills Hotel (now Miller Tavern) is the Victorian equivalent of an “ON-Route” service station.

Hogg’s Hollow is a relatively underrated neighborhood on Yonge Street that has largely escaped the density of urbanization.

Compared to the gridlocks at Yonge / Sheppard & Yonge / Eglinton, driving through the rolling hills of Hogg’s Hollow is always calm and soothing.

Homes are built on slopes with a bit of West Vancouver vibe. Even to this day, this Georgian style red brick with the cute match-stick pillared verandah is still a landmark to modern motorists.

Imagine riding on horseback in the brutal Victorian winter, the warmth and comfort Miller Tavern must have brought to those tired travelers.

Google Map describes Miller Tavern as a “time-tested restaurant serving comfort food”.

Although the days of serving those jolly blue-collar millers are long gone, Miller Tavern remains a symbol of Hogg’s Hollow, one of Toronto’s continuous operated restaurants, the oldest commercial building in the neighborhood.

3885 Yonge Street, Toronto
2^nd and 3^rd Photo from Wikipedia

Miller Tavern Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/themillertavern/