Robert Franklin Hicks 1866-1942

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted August, 2011

Photo Source - City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 217, Series 249, File 230

This 2010 Heritage Toronto plaque, erected with the North York Historical Society, can be found facing north in the middle of Robert Hicks Park, which is located on the north side of Finch Avenue about midway between Bathurst and Dufferin Streets. Here's what the plaque tells us:

Plaque coordinates: 43.772306 -79.453578

This park was created in 1980 to commemorate Robert Franklin "R.F." Hicks, a key figure in the organization and development of the Township of North York. As a dairy farmer, Hicks established one of the first herds of Holstein cattle in York County, and served on the boards of the Holstein-Friesian Association of Canada and the Toronto Milk Producers Association. In 1920, he joined other local farmers organizing to separate the northern and more rural section of York Township from the dominant and urbanized south.

Their efforts were rewarded in June of 1922 when the Township of North York was officially incorporated. Hicks was elected to lead the new council as reeve, and re-elected for four more one-year terms before retiring from both politics and farming in 1926. Under his leadership, the North York Hydro Commission, a public health board, and a water supply system were established, and the first municipal building was completed. When Hicks died in July of 1942, North York was advancing toward the city status he had predicted in 1923.

Related websites
North York
Holstein cattle

Related Ontario plaque
Holstein Friesian Cattle in Ontario

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Public Service
North York plaques

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Posted April 11, 2012
My husband, Alvin Hicks is his great grandson. I wish we had known when the park was created.

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