Evocative Images of Lost Toronto

[thecharioteer]

An evocative picture of lost, unbuilt, Toronto: the proposed Palace Hotel on King Street West, west of Simcoe, site of the original Upper Canada College, 1895:

 

[LowPolygon]

An evocative picture of lost, unbuilt, Toronto: the proposed Palace Hotel on King Street West, west of Simcoe, site of the original Upper Canada College, 1895:

AMAZING FIND Charioteer!

 

[thecharioteer]

Thanks!

Another recent find (thanks to the Star Archives) was a mansion called Matheson Hall, which stood on the SE corner of Yonge and Gloucester:

Caption: Matheson Hall, situated at the south-east corner of Yonge and Gloucester Sts., was once the home of the late Dr. Hugh Matheson. Matheson Hall was built in 1870. Last Published: 6/4/1928

 

[thecharioteer]

AMAZING FIND Charioteer!

It's interesting to see how this proposal could only make sense within the short window betrween the closing of UCC on King Street in 1891, and the subsequent development of the block as witnessed in the 1910 Goad (there would also be an overlap between the demolition of the old buildings and the construction of the Royal Alexandra Theatre between 1905 and 1907):

1890 Goad:

1910 Goad:

UCC:

Postcard of the Royal Alex, with the grounds of Government House across the street:

 

[Urban Shocker]

In Victorian times, the intersection of King and Simcoe was popularly referred to as "Salvation, Education, Legislation and Damnation" ... after the buildings located on each corner. Only one - Salvation - remains on the south east corner. Damnation referred to the tavern on the north east corner.

 

[adma]

And now it's at the northwest corner, courtesy the Entertainment District in toto...

 

[LowPolygon]

In Victorian times, the intersection of King and Simcoe was popularly referred to as "Salvation, Education, Legislation and Damnation" ... after the buildings located on each corner. Only one - Salvation - remains on the south east corner. Damnation referred to the tavern on the north east corner.

Oh, I Say! Damnation on the north east corner:

 

[thecharioteer]

Legislation Corner: End of an Era: The last garden party

Salvation Corner 1907:

Damnation and Salvation Corners 1930 (with a curious sign):

Education Corner rebuilt 1927:

Legislation Corner: the old CP Building. Prior to its demolition for Roy Thompson Hall, Barton Myers proposed a scheme that would have retained the old building......

Afterwards:

 

[LowPolygon]

It's interesting to see how this proposal could only make sense within the short window betrween the closing of UCC on King Street in 1891, and the subsequent development of the block as witnessed in the 1910 Goad (there would also be an overlap between the demolition of the old buildings and the construction of the Royal Alexandra Theatre between 1905 and 1907):

I had no idea that UCC was there. that really puts that block of warehouses between Simcoe and John in perspective.

In this photo you can see the last bit of the UCC complex on Adelaide looking towards Peter---a stable or garage, that escaped the wrecking crew.

I find the site of Government House to be a bit of a puzzle... I can’t for the life of me remember anything on that site growing up. It was always just a massive parking lot. I wonder if anything was built there between 1912, when Canadian National tore it down and 1980, when Roy Thomson got underway? Seems like a long time for a site of that size and importance to sit vacant. Maybe CN was using it all those years?

 

[Urban Shocker]

I find the site of Government House to be a bit of a puzzle... I can’t for the life of me remember anything on that site growing up. It was always just a massive parking lot. I wonder if anything was built there between 1912, when Canadian National tore it down and 1980, when Roy Thomson got underway? Seems like a long time for a site of that size and importance to sit vacant. Maybe CN was using it all those years?

Back in the '70s, I recall plenty of train tracks, and some sort of brick train sheds, in the blocks where RTH, Metro Hall and the CBC building were built a decade later.

 

[Edward Skira]

What a shame about the CP building.

 

[Anna]

I find the site of Government House to be a bit of a puzzle... I can’t for the life of me remember anything on that site growing up. It was always just a massive parking lot. I wonder if anything was built there between 1912, when Canadian National tore it down and 1980, when Roy Thomson got underway? Seems like a long time for a site of that size and importance to sit vacant. Maybe CN was using it all those years?

This photo is from the 'Old Time Trains' website - and they have more.
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_Toronto/TORONTO.htm
- the view from the TD Tower in 1966

 

[adma]

That's probably one of the first bike-lane signs.

 

[LowPolygon]

This photo is from the 'Old Time Trains' website - and they have more.
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/CPR_Toronto/TORONTO.htm
- the view from the TD Tower in 1966

thank you Anna--that photo answers my question....

interesting how John street south of King was so dominated by the railway. also, that parking lot at John and Mercer is still exactly the same!

 

[thecharioteer]

I find the site of Government House to be a bit of a puzzle... I can’t for the life of me remember anything on that site growing up. It was always just a massive parking lot. I wonder if anything was built there between 1912, when Canadian National tore it down and 1980, when Roy Thomson got underway? Seems like a long time for a site of that size and importance to sit vacant. Maybe CN was using it all those years?

Based on the following photos, it would appear that the CPR building was constructed between 1912 and 1915 and lasted until the late 70's/early 80's: