Evocative Images of Lost Toronto

[DSC]

This article has nothing to do with Toronto, but I found it rather interesting and, as we often see here, old photos bring back memories. https://news.library.mcgill.ca/flashback-with-angela-grauerholz/

 

[thecharioteer]

John Andrews, one of Toronto's most significant architects (Scarborough College) passed away recently: https://www.daniels.utoronto.ca/news/2022/03/31/memoriam-john-h-andrews-1933-2022

Here's his entry for the New City Hall competition done in 1958 when he was 25 (all pics from the TPL):

 

[thecharioteer]

In memoriam, John Andrews, photos of Scarborough College (TPL):

1966 photo form the Toronto Star Archives, originally run with the caption:

Scarboro College is fortress-like school which hugs the rim of highland creek and is built entirely of poured concrete. A rival for Toronto's new City Hall; it is tiered to catch or hide the sun and block off northern weather. It's pretty sharp; a student commented.

 

[Goldie]

Big Toronto convention, 1929 (5? women)

 

[Goldie]

Yonge St. c.1854-56, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, U of T

 

[DSC]

Yonge St. c.1854-56, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, U of T

View attachment 396186

FROM: https://digitalarchive.tpl.ca/objects/354438#

 

[jaborandi]

Yonge St. c.1854-56, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, U of T

View attachment 396186

Is this looking north or south? My confusion is the numbering indicating a view south, yet the odd numbers indicate the east side of Yonge, unless this convention was introduced later.

 

[DSC]

Is this looking north or south? My confusion is the numbering indicating a view south, yet the odd numbers indicate the east side of Yonge, unless this convention was introduced later.

The Directory says that McIntosh & Walton is on west side of Yonge so it's looking south - and the numbers make sense as they, apparently, started at the Lake. This would be the Now view..

 

[jaborandi]

The Directory says that McIntosh & Walton is on west side of Yonge so it's looking south - and the numbers make sense as they, apparently, started at the Lake. This would be the Now view..

My point is that presently, odd numbers are on the east/south side of streets. Does anyone know when that was implemented?

 

[DSC]

My point is that presently, odd numbers are on the east/south side of streets. Does anyone know when that was implemented?

See: http://spacing.ca/national/2013/03/11/ever-wonder-how-a-house-gets-an-address-number/

I checked out the City directories ( http://wherethestorytakesme.ca/toronto-city-directories/ ) and in 1861 they announced the arrangement - it started in 1860 or 1861 as far as I can tell and, as they say "the present plan of numbering being exactly the reverse of the previous plan"..

 

[jaborandi]

See: http://spacing.ca/national/2013/03/11/ever-wonder-how-a-house-gets-an-address-number/

I checked out the City directories ( http://wherethestorytakesme.ca/toronto-city-directories/ ) and in 1861 they announced the arrangement - it started in 1860 or 1861 as far as I can tell and, as they say "the present plan of numbering being exactly the reverse of the previous plan"..

View attachment 396236

Thanks. Now we know!

 

[Goldie]

Thanks to a curious observer and the enlightenment from a fine researcher.
I expect many, like myself, had no idea of that 1861 change in street numbering.

 

[DSC]

Montreal revised its street numbering in the mid 1920s. They went one stage further than Toronto and there building numbers give one a very good idea of exactly where the building is and it really makes navigation very easy. If 3859 rue X is a block north of a major street, then 3859 rue Y will be similarly located.

 

[richsherb]

April 26, 2004. Bottom right corner is Adelaide and Princess Streets.

 

[AlbertC]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1520526226791841792