A foundational work of Toronto regional history, Pioneers of the Don chronicles the early settlers who built their lives along the Don River valley. Naturalist and historian Charles Sauriol blends archival research, personal observation, and storytelling to illuminate the families, industries, landscapes, and daily struggles that shaped this once‑remote watershed. From mills and homesteads to floods, conservation battles, and the gradual transformation of the valley, the book offers a richly textured portrait of a community and an environment in constant change. A warm, detailed tribute to the people who carved out a home in the Don, it stands as an essential reference for anyone interested in Ontario’s environmental and settlement history.