John S. Armstrong, founder of Armstrong Nurseries, purchased 20 acres on the southwest corner of Euclid Avenue and Sixth Street to establish a planned neighborhood adjacent to the site of his mansion. The tract was developed with a 40 foot roadway, camphor trees in the parkway, and utilities. A contest was held to name the tract, and "Armsley Square" was chosen, with Helen M. Hughes winning the $25.00 prize. As a Planning Commissioner from 1923 to 1928, Armstrong addressed zoning issues through deed restrictions in 1924, five years before Ontario adopted its first zoning ordinance in 1929.