Chinatown’s history is divided into two parts, the first-Chinatown and present-day Chinatown which is also often referred to as old Chinatown.

The first-Chinatown was settled in the late 19th century by many Chinese Americans from California as well as many Chinese from Mainland China.

It was located in the area of Toronto that now makes up Nathan Philips Square and in the 1960s, its residents were relocated to what is now known as Old Chinatown as the construction of Nathan Philips Square began. Old Chinatown, which is centered on Spadina Avenue, grew steadily from the 1960s and it is now an area that is booming with many Chinese and other Asian businesses.