Evocative Images of Lost Toronto

[Goldie]

Some old images of Toronto (from the University of California archives).
I have the feeling that not all captions are accurate.

Yonge N. from King 1922


Union Station 1922


Looking S. from General Hospital 1923


Toronto Harbour 1-1923


Toronto Harbour 2-1923


CNE Dufferin entrance 1922


Yonge St. N. from King


Yonge St.


City Hall


King St. 1922


Unveiling of Peace Monument at Exhibition Park 1930


Traders Bank from Yonge St.

 

[thecharioteer]

Some old images of Toronto (from the University of California archives).

City Hall

Some great finds, Goldie! The shot of City Hall is the first one I've ever seen that shows it at the same time as the old Knox Church, soon to be replaced by Simpson's.

Knox Church in 1847:

1900:

 

[the lemur]

Some old images of Toronto (from the University of California archives).
I have the feeling that not all captions are accurate.

What is that building with the columns near the Dufferin gate?

 

[k10ery]

Nice stuff! They also have the best view of Temple Building I've seen.

Perhaps taken from the tower of Firehall Number 1 at Bay and Temperance. Except did it have a tower? It did in 1855, but not before demolition in 1924.

 

[Anna]

What is that building with the columns near the Dufferin gate?

The building where Medieval Times is now - formerly the Arts Crafts & Hobbies building - formerly the Dominion Government building.

 

[thecharioteer]

Note also in the Harbour 2 pic that the site of the old Customs House is vacant, having survived the Fire of 1904 (which destroyed the rest of the block), it was demolished in 1919:

1890:

1910:

 

[wwwebster]

City Hall

I second thecharioteer’s appreciation of this image. A very rare photographic glimpse of Shaftesbury Hall, sometime between the Simpson’s fire of 1895 (when Knox Church lost its spire) and the Hall’s replacement by the William Davies Building at Queen & James, circa 1902.

 

[junctionist]

I like this photo of Yonge Street paved with stone blocks, like in many a European city:

The city should restore this pavement.

 

[Anna]

Some old images of Toronto (from the University of California archives).

City Hall

I second thecharioteer’s appreciation of this image. A very rare photographic glimpse of Shaftesbury Hall, sometime between the Simpson’s fire of 1895 (when Knox Church lost its spire) and the Hall’s replacement by the William Davies Building at Queen & James, circa 1902.

I third it, because City Hall is missing its clock.

 

[Goldie]

I third it, because City Hall is missing its clock.

The clock was not installed until late 1900.

 

[adma]

Interesting sequel to Edmund Burke's Chicago Style modernity at Simpson's--here verging on a Prairie-esque pared-downness: planar facades, recessed top-floor "arcade", slab cornice w/corner pendants, etc...

 

[thecharioteer]

Interesting sequel to Edmund Burke's Chicago Style modernity at Simpson's--here verging on a Prairie-esque pared-downness: planar facades, recessed top-floor "arcade", slab cornice w/corner pendants, etc...

With similarities to what became known as the Heintzman Building at 193 Yonge:

 

[Goldie]

Been browsing through the fine book, "Reflections of Toronto Harbour" by Ted Wickson.

Was surprised to learn of the RCAF, WWII installation on the waterfront between Yonge and Sherbourne consisting of 65 buildings (demolished in 1946).

 

[Goldie]

 

[nostalgic]

I remember Murray Koffler in the 1950s, standing tall behind the counter in his drug store (York Mills plaza, Bayview and York Mills), filling prescriptions.