Evocative Images of Lost Toronto

[Anna]

I am now reading up on Simcoe Park

http://www.automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=50650

 

[wwwebster]

^ Very cool. Thanks, Anna!

 

[thecharioteer]

Skyline panorama April 21, 1925:

Same date:

 

[adma]

Is that some kind of crane-like hoisting mechanism atop the Northern Ontario Building in that first panorama shot? (It was completed around that time, after all)

 

[thecharioteer]

Is that some kind of crane-like hoisting mechanism atop the Northern Ontario Building in that first panorama shot? (It was completed around that time, after all)

Good question. It doesn't appear in any of the subsequent photos of the building.

A few years later in 1929, a favourite spot for "aerial" photography was from the recently completed Royal York Hotel:

 

[Goldie]

Thanks to 'thecharioteer' for this shot in particular.
This is the first time I've seen the 'Land & Titles' building in context.
We clearly see its position between Osgoode Hall and Elizabeth St.

 

[FAC33]

Good question. It doesn't appear in any of the subsequent photos of the building.

A few years later in 1929, a favourite spot for "aerial" photography was from the recently completed Royal York Hotel:

That's a nice shot of the Concourse Building in that photo. But I especially appreciate the view of the Canada Permanent going up. Looks like the stonework is up to just past the 11th floor....

 

[thecharioteer]

In all of the discussions on the Jarvis Street bike lanes, no mention has been made of the fact that all the studies and public meetings prior to the installation of the bike lanes were about either widening the sidewalks and replanting the lost trees, or building a landscaped median where the "fifth" lane ran down the middle. Section 37 benefits were collected from developers on Jarvis to implement the change (where'd that go?). Now it looks like we'll get neither bike lanes nor tree-planting.

Here's a beautiful set of the Jarvis trees taken by the Parks Dept. almost 100 years ago:

 

[DSC]

Following thecharioteer's photos of Jarvis and his reminder of what was planned before the bike lanes appeared you may want to look at the 2010 Report. http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/jarvis/pdf/ea-2010-01-28/ea_project_documentation.pdf

 

[thecharioteer]

Following thecharioteer's photos of Jarvis and his reminder of what was planned before the bike lanes appeared you may want to look at the 2010 Report. http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/jarvis/pdf/ea-2010-01-28/ea_project_documentation.pdf

Thanks for that, DSC. Very interesting reading. It's too bad that the City did not implement the recommendations of the report as the "facts on the ground" in the form of tree-lined boulevards would have been a lot harder for the present administration to remove than painted bike lanes.

 

[donoreo]

I love the old Jarvis, lots of trees. If there were still there it would give hookers some shade during the day and something else to lean against

 

[thecharioteer]

More trees:

University Avenue 1896:

Queen's Park Crescent:

University Avenue June 10, 1914:

Wilton (now Dundas) near Bond:

Church Street 1909:

Lovers' Elm, Gwynne estate, Dufferin Street
Item consists of one photograph. A note says, "Miss [Nell] Gwynne under this tree bids farewell to her lover sweetheart soldier, who was shot in war."

No, this is not Toronto and it is not from the past. It is, however, nice to think about on a summer afternoon (can you hear the fountains?).

Aix-en-Provence:

 

[Tewder]

Now just add in the hydro poles and voila!

 

[thecharioteer]

Now just add in the hydro poles and voila!

Too true! I was going to post the Aix pic with the caption "Mayor Ford releases his vision for Jarvis Street once the bike lanes are gone."

 

[Tewder]

Ha, you better photoshop the running water out of the fountain too then