It was a trip down memory lane for those who attended the launch of the West Toronto Junction's Centennial year on Monday , the day Mayor David Miller officially proclaimed to be "Junction City Centennial Day."

In 1908, the Junction was incorporated as the City of West Toronto. It remained an independent city for a year and 19 days.

"Popularly known then and now as 'The Junction', the neighbourhood remains a bastion of the independent spirit and a unique marriage of business and the arts," said Andre Wagner dressed in period costume as the Junction's first Mayor D. W. Clendenan as part of the official mayoral proclamation.

He stood atop the newly unveiled train station, a replica of the CPR station platform that once occupied the Dundas West/Annette/Dupont corner. It will serve as the 'Junction City Square,' which will feature musical and theatrical acts and events throughout the year to mark the milestone, announced the Junction Arts Festival Director Michael Menegon.

"The Junction began when D.W. Clendenan, eventually the town's first mayor, saw the railway coming and bought up the old Carlton Race Course (home of the first runnings of the Queen's Plate). He laid the basis for an independent city, which joined Toronto as an equal in 1909," Wagner said.

Wagner was joined by Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park) Councillor Bill Saundercook dressed as Junction Mayor W.A. Baird and fellow West Toronto Junction Historical Society (WTJHS) and Centennial committee member Kristen Buckley as Principal Mary Cherry.

Neil Ross, a WTJHS member, who can take credit for stumbling upon the important date and spearheading centennial celebrations, embodied York Tribune Editor A.B. Rice, the journalist who covered the Junction for 60 years. In a special piece written especially for the occasion, Ross made the train station come alive for the audience who had gathered on the platform, which can be found at Dundas Street West and Pacific Avenue.

Miller, unable to attend the event because he was in China, sent his best wishes through a pre-taped message that was viewed following the ceremony at Urbanscape Gallery where a reception was held.

Throughout the gallery are framed snapshots of life in the Junction.

For further details about Centennial events that are happening throughout the year, visit www.thejunctioncity.com