Miscellany Toronto Photographs: Then and Now

[Aladone]

Since we are here, here's what Toronto, Ohio looks likes from above. in 1899 of course

 

[FAC33]

What, are they storing radioactive waste in there?

Pity the heritage building in America's decaying industrial heartland. Which reminds me, we've seen very little in the way of "ruin porn" on this thread -- the fortunate result of living in a boomtown?

We've got some interesting ruins (e.g Canada Malting site), and some buildings that are decaying but really aren't full-fledged ruins, but there's something about true ruin porn (and I'm a consumer of that sort of thing) that sort of requires a gritty, decaying city. A good ruin is evocative of something that was there before and has passed from this life. Brush Park in Detroit is a great example, especially if you've been through the Annex or a similar area in Toronto and have seen what this area would have looked like at one time.

Of course, I'm not a ruin extremist--I'd always prefer that the ruin be fixed up if possible. Unless it's ancient Rome or something.

 

[FAC33]

What, are they storing radioactive waste in there?

Pity the heritage building in America's decaying industrial heartland. Which reminds me, we've seen very little in the way of "ruin porn" on this thread -- the fortunate result of living in a boomtown?

We've got some interesting ruins (e.g Canada Malting site), and some buildings that are decaying but really aren't full-fledged ruins, but there's something about true ruin porn (and I'm a consumer of that sort of thing) that sort of requires a gritty, decaying city. A good ruin is evocative of something that was there before and has passed from this life. Brush Park in Detroit is a great example, especially if you've been through the Annex or a similar area in Toronto and have seen what this area would have looked like at one time.

Of course, I'm not a ruin extremist--I'd always prefer that the ruin be fixed up if possible. Unless it's ancient Rome or something.

 

[Mustapha]

February 23 addition.



Then. "June 3, 1938. SW corner of Yonge and Glengrove."


Just having a bit of fun with everyone today.

Now. February 2011.

 

[Mustapha]

Since we are here, here's what Toronto, Ohio looks likes from above. in 1899 of course

Two of the buildings along the bottom edge of this "birds eye view" were photographed by me. Please click on my link. Thanks Aladone.

 

[thecharioteer]

Which reminds me, we've seen very little in the way of "ruin porn" on this thread -- the fortunate result of living in a boomtown?

The Archives does contain pics of the "ruins" of buildings about to be demolished, one of the saddest is a set of "Long Garth", Sir Edmund Walker's home at 99 St. George, owned by U of T, containing Art Noveau murals by Gustave Hahn and demolished in the late 60s:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Edmund_Walker

http://archindont.torontopubliclibr...sTDQhgJq9hKdwKJPtZ!-819976818?name=Long+Garth

 

[Urban Shocker]

February 23 addition.



Then. "June 3, 1938. SW corner of Yonge and Glengrove."


Just having a bit of fun with everyone today.

Now. February 2011.

Clever you - the reflection of the photographer's legs ( and camera tripod ) in the window of the first image has been replaced by a pair of jeans inside the window of the second image.

 

[Mustapha]

The Archives does contain pics of the "ruins" of buildings about to be demolished, one of the saddest is a set of "Long Garth", Sir Edmund Walker's home at 99 St. George, owned by U of T, containing Art Noveau murals by Gustave Hahn and demolished in the late 60s:

Something about this well composed picture being in colour makes the sense of loss the greater.

 

[Mustapha]

Clever you - the reflection of the photographer's legs ( and camera tripod ) in the window of the first image has been replaced by a pair of jeans inside the window of the second image.

Not so clever me. I hadn't even noticed. As for you.

 

[Mustapha]

Where exactly is this on Church street?

Thanks to JTCunningham for the answer.

 

[DTowner]

UGH! I've wanted that ugly red building to be torn down for ages.

 

[College Park]

This is an interesting corner: the red building may be ugly (and isn't it being sold off by TCHC?), but Studio Restaurant has been around for ages, and serves an unpretentious cheap breakfast. Just a little further along you have the Sandwich shop, who's owners trimmed that poor maple tree to a sad little tuft to better expose their tasteful signage. And of course, the fancy-boot ladies hang out on this strip of sidewalk when the sun goes down.

 

[thecharioteer]

And the two pics illustrate the good job the City is doing in maintaining historically-significant hydro poles in situ. What other city can match our record?

 

[FAC33]

And the two pics illustrate the good job the City is doing in maintaining historically-significant hydro poles in situ. What other city can match our record?

Egad, I hadn't even noticed these--despite having noticed the poles in lots of historic photos (and in the "Lights of a City Street" painting discussed in another thread) and musing how odd they looked on main streets...and there they are, still on Church!

Odd what your mind will completely blank out

 

[DTowner]

And the two pics illustrate the good job the City is doing in maintaining historically-significant hydro poles in situ. What other city can match our record?

Egad, I hadn't even noticed these--despite having noticed the poles in lots of historic photos (and in the "Lights of a City Street" painting discussed in another thread) and musing how odd they looked on main streets...and there they are, still on Church!

Odd what your mind will completely blank out

I totally never noticed these either! I like them.