Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Arnprior /The Ottawa Valley
One reason to visit Arnprior (Arn-land of, Prior-the Priory) is a stop at Wes' Chips located on the main road into town. The chip wagon has been here for at least 40 years and still attracts long lines of tourists and locals. The secret to a good chip is to only cook potato chips in the oil and nothing else.
The O'Brien in 1930.
1989.
Labels:
arnprior,
John Street,
the o'brien theatre,
wes' chips
Monday, July 5, 2010
Bloor and Bathurst/Then and Now
Looking west along Bloor from Bathurst in 1960. Honest Ed's, on the south side had not yet expanded to take up the entire block and the Alhambra Theatre on the north side is showing"Once More With Feeling" and "Our Man in Havana"
The Alhambra was originally called the King George and ended it's days as the Eve, a porno house. It was demolished in 1985 to make way for a Swiss Chalet.
Cheyenne and Seven Keys to Baldpate were released that year.
Another shot of Honest Ed's from 1959.I used to work at Honest Ed's, briefly in the late 70's after school.
Labels:
Alhambra Theatre,
Bathurst St.,
Bloor,
Honest Ed's
Spadina and St. Andrew/Then and Now
From the S/W corner of St. Andrew and Spadina looking N/E in September of 1938.There are some interesting magazines on display including a couple of comic books.
Action Comics # 1 was published in June of 1938 and recently sold at auction for 1.5 million dollars. Was a copy purchased here?
Action #1.
Labels:
Action comics #1,
Andrew Street,
Bathurst St.,
news stand,
Spadina Ave.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Dundas and Parkway/Then and Now
Looking east along the south side of Dundas from Parkway Avenue in 1935.Note the single gas pump by the curb with a price of .16c a gallon (Imperial)
An electric radio is $8.00!
How Much things cost in 1935
Average Cost of new house $3,450.00
Average wages per year $1,600.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 10 cents (US gal.)
Average Cost for house rent $22.00 per month
A loaf of Bread 8 cents
A LB of Hamburger Meat 11 cents
Average New Car Price $625.00
Canada Dry Ginger Ale 20 Cents
Centre Theatre/Then and Now

Looking past a solitary gas pump on Dundas near Bathurst towards the Centre Movie Theatre.According to John Sebert in his excellent book Nabes:
"It gained notoriety as the Duchess Theatre in 1933, when it's owner was arrested for hiring two thugs to beat up a neighbouring theatre owner. Shortly after came the name change."
This photo appears to have been taken in the late 1930's or early 1940's as the marquee lists
The Dead End Kids.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Just for Fun/Harry Lucey
Here's a page of original comic book art by the great Harry Lucey from Pep Comics #139, Lucey was a talented illustrator who started out drawing crime comics in the 1940's and 50's. His work on Archie was outstanding and head and shoulders above the other artists. His original artwork is quite collectable. Here's another link.
A great cover from Sam Hill #6
Sam Hill #7
Sam Hill #4
#5
His Betty and Veronica were pretty sweet as well.
Labels:
Archie Comics,
Betty and Veronica,
Harry Lucey,
Sam Hill
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Lansdowne and Rideau/Then and Now
Looking east on Rideau Street towards Lansdowne in the late 1800's. Note the row houses on the left as they're the subject of this post. At this point in time this intersection is still quite rural and lies just south of the level crossing.
A similar view in 2010.The red line represents the original road level.
Looking head on at the houses before the level crossing.
1915 and the subway is finished and the little cottage on the N/W corner has been remodelled.
40 years later (1934) the same houses have been underpinned and transformed.
Of course I could be wrong but the doors and windows seen to line up quite well on both photos.
September 1950.
By 2010 the original cottages have been torn down and replaced by these faux Victorians.
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