Ahmed Nadar is a Toronto-based Rails developer, founder of the RapidRails agency and creator of RapidRails UI components for Ruby on Rails.

AppSignal have enlisted Ahmed's help to write a series of guides to Toronto for fellow Rails World attendees.

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Rails World, the conference for Rails developers, is returning this summer to celebrate both its second year and Rails' 21st birthday. Hosted by the Rails Foundation, this event promises interesting talks, coding sessions, and lots of chances to network, socialise and relax.

As a local Rails developer, I'll be sharing tips and tricks in AppSignal's guide to Toronto, an offbeat city guide to complement this unique experience.

In this guide, I want to introduce you to the history behind Toronto's Evergreen Brick Works.

The original blockchain

In 1889, when high-tops meant horse hooves and the internet was just a glimmer in a future tech visionary's eye, a place emerged in the lush Don Valley of Toronto that would become known as the Don Valley Brick Works. This wasn't just any run-of-the-mill operation; it quickly became a heavyweight in the brick industry.

This place was no small potatoes. It was a gigantic factory. At its peak, it was churning out a whopping 43 million bricks per year. If you lined these bricks next to one another you could build a path (or a blockchain 🥁) that stretches all the way from the frosty tips of Toronto to the sunny shores of California.

Back in 1889, the Evergreen Brick Works was creating 9.09 bricks per Canadian, or 1.13 bricks for today's population. These bricks weren't just sitting idle; they were the building blocks of Toronto itself, propping up iconic spots around the city that stand proud to this day.

From factory to farm

As you stroll around Toronto or enjoy coffee and an AppSignal stroopwafel at Rails World, you're literally walking through history. Those 43 million bricks created the urban landscape of Toronto we have today.

Here are just a few buildings you can visit made with bricks from the Don Valley:

Casa Loma

Image by Freebie

Did you know that Toronto's fairytale castle Casa Loma was once the largest private residence in Canada? Now it's one of Toronto's most prestigious event venues. On the top level, you have a bird's eye view of Toronto.

Massey Hall

Image by Mohammed Abubakr

Massey Hall has been a cultural cornerstone since 1894, hosting everyone from Winston Churchill to Neil Young. I can tell you, I've attended the best conferences and concerts there.

Ontario Legislature Building

Image by Jermaine W

The Ontario Legislature Building is the heart of Ontario's government, where policies and history are made beneath its impressive domes. Every brick here could tell a story of debates, laws, and the shaping of our province.

Roy Thomson Hall

Image by Dakaye

Roy Thomson Hall is a modern temple of sound, home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Its walls, built with Don Valley bricks, have absorbed the sounds of countless concerts, enveloping the city in musical magic. If music is your thing, you can't miss seeing it in person.

Each of these landmarks is a testament to the enduring legacy of those millions of bricks, proving that sometimes, the most ordinary materials build the most extraordinary places.

The fall and rebirth of the Don Valley

Sadly, all good things come to an end.

By the 1980s, the glory days of the brickyard were winding down. The city was growing rapidly, and the old brick factory, once the backbone of Toronto's construction industry, became obsolete—about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. So, in 1984, the doors closed, and the factory sat abandoned until 1995 when works began to transform the Don Valley Brick Works into a wetland park, filled with native fauna and flora.

This new park now forms the backyard of what has become a buzzing hub of culture. Alongside the events venue, there's a farmers' market where you can buy local produce, a café, and trails you can take through the park for some light exercise or a moment of relaxation.

A Toronto icon

Evergreen Brick Works isn't just a venue; it's a vibe. You can find it in the heart of Toronto. It is a historic hotspot where the city's past and present meet, a place where you can code, caffeinate, and commune with history—all while enjoying a stunning view of the city.