Known today as the millionaire's mile for it's affluent residents, York Mills takes its name from the former township of York and the saw and grist mills that made up the area in the early 19th century.

York Mills was a bustling district with a distillery, a tannery, blacksmith, churches, school, post office, toll gate and the Jolly Miller Tavern that still stands today at 3885 Yonge St.

The area rapidly developed into a residential area in the 1930s and continued to do so throughout the century largely in part to E. P. Taylor and his business developments in the borough-- notably the York Mills Plaza.

After leaving Canada Taylor donated Parkland (known today as Winsfield Park) and his own mansion which is used as the Canadian Film Centre.