Queen and Roncesvalles/Then and Now

Looking east across Roncesvalles on Queen in 1923.

2010.

This Must be Progress/Parliament Street 1971

I've posted this photo previously but here is the article that went with it from the Toronto Star 1971. Click on the image to see a larger version.

St. James Town is the largest high-rise community in Canada. It consists of 19 high-rise buildings (14 to 32 stories). These massive residential towers were built in the 1960s. Approximately 17,000 people live in the neighbourhood's 19 apartment towers, making it Canada's most densely populated community, and one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods anywhere in North America.

St. James Town is one of Toronto's poorest neighbourhoods.

Bloor and Keele/Then and Now

Looking west along Bloor across Keele in the winter of 1915.

A similar view today.

Bloor and High Park/Then and Now

Taken in 1920, this photo shows the north side of Bloor just west of High Park.

The same two houses today.

Bloor and Jane/Then and Now

Looking east along Bloor towards Jane in 1943.

Today.

Richmond and Peter Street/Then and Now

This block of townhouses on Richmond (1944) would soon be demolished and replaced by the building seen below.

Today.
This row of homes (a twin of those demolished) survives just to the east.

King and John/Then and Now

Looking west across John Street in the early 1960's. Farb's car wash on the N/W corner was knocked down in the early 90's and the site remained a parking lot until the Bell Lightbox was built last year. Note the neon sign.

Last year during construction.

Leader Lane/Then and Now

Leader Lane, looking south in 1920.Named after the The Toronto Leader newspaper who's offices were located here between 1852 and 1878.The remaining building is home to the Tom Jones Steakhouse which opened in 1966.

A similar view in 2010.

New Toronto Derelict Buiding/Hydro Station

This building on Birmingham Street west of Islington has scene better days but could be re-purposed. Formally a Toronto Hydro Sub-Station it was built in 1919.

Check it Out!

A short film by Sheridan's ATVF Production Design students.

Cool Video by Phillip Scott Johnson

Scarlett Road/Then and Now Part 2

Looking north up Scarlett Road at East Drive in the early 1960's.

The same view today. Everything on the right side of the photo was demolished to build the apartment buildings.

Scarlett Road/Then and Now

Looking south down Scarlett road from Cynthia in the early 1960's.

The same view in 2010.

Farmhouse Survivor-Evans Ave.

As seen in 1977.

Today.
This stone farmhouse on the south side of Evans Ave. across from Sherway Gardens has survived relatively intact despite being surrounded by high rise apartments.

Vintage Pyrex Bowls

Vintage ad. A complete set of nesting bowls for $2.95.

The pink set is quite rare.

Here's another ad for the popular Pyrex Primary Nesting bowls from the 1950's.

A very good site re: Pyrex Bowls.
These can be found around town for between $25.00-$60.00 a set.
There's often a couple of sets at the St. Lawrence Antique Market on Sundays.
Note: NEVER put these in the dishwasher as the colours will turn cloudy.

This poor soul is obviously obsessed with Pyrex and needs in-depth psychological analysis.
A rare pastel set from the 1960's.

Farmhouse Survivor/Eglington West

This survivor is now surrounded by fast food joints and strip malls.

Satellite Motel/Cambridge/Then and Now

The Satellite Motel in the 1960's.

This 50's motel is in Cambridge, Ontario and still has it's rocket proudly on display.

Another Farmhouse Survivor

This one's in Etobicoke near Eglington and Royal York.

Royal York and Dundas/Then and Now

Humbertown Plaza in the early 1960's.
Note the blue Chevrolet Corvair.

Today.

A wide shot from Royal York Road.

Queen and Dovercourt/Then and Now

This building at the S/E corner of Queen and Dovercourt was originally a YMCA.
This postcard from 1914 courtesy of Chuckman's Postcard Collection shows it as the Royal Templar Headquarters.

The Great Hall today.
A brief history from their site:
The Great Hall was built in 1889 by the founder of the Moore Corporation, Samuel J. Moore, Architects Gordon & Helliwell were chosen to design this four storey building. is approximately 30,000 sq ft. with a full basement. It housed the first west end YMCA in Toronto. The "Y" offered athletic facilities that included a gymnasium with a raised running track, and a basement swimming pool. Canadian native marathon star Tom Longboat worked out here when he won the Boston Marathon in 1907, as did chocolate magnate and accomplished amateur wrestler, Morden Neilson, it was also home to some of the earliest basketball games ever played in history.

In 1912 the property was sold to the Royal Templars of Temperance, who conducted business in the building until 1940's when there was a major shift in the buildings use. It was acquired by the Polish National Union, and soon, presses on the ground floor were rolling out copies of The Polish Voice newspaper. On the top floor, rooms were pressed into service as temporary shelter for Polish refugees fleeing the war in Europe.

In the mid 1980's the rumble of the presses were replaced by the sound of experimental music and avante-garde art. The Toronto School of Art eventually helped to establish 1087 Queen St. West as an important address for Toronto's arts community.

Why Not in Schools?

I've never seen a vending machine that sells worms...
This was in Cambridge Ontario.

Queen and Dufferin/Then and Now Update

After nearly 115 years Dufferin Street has be re connected with itself north of Queen..

When the original subway was built in 1897, Dufferin was severed at Queen to accommodate the underpass.. Last week the renovations were finished and traffic was able to cross Queen and move north. The cost of this new tunnel was $40,000,000. The original cost of the subway in 1897 was $20,000.00.
Dufferin looking north to Queen in 1897.
The same view in 2010 with the newly completed tunnel.
The Tunnel!

Queen and Dufferin/Then and Now

Two similar views nearly 100 years apart. The S/W corner of Queen and Dufferin in 1917. When the subway was completed in 1897 the road was graded to this level leaving several established earlier business' high and dry. The Union Hotel continued to operate for several years until it was demolished and the property was graded to match the new road level.

2010
An earlier shot of the Union Hotel from 1896. This brick hotel replaced an earlier version that was destroyed by a devastating fire in 1880. At the time the nearest fire hydrant was at Queen and Stachan and hoses were run from the. In this photo the road has been lowered but the sidewalks remain at the original street level with stairs leading down to the street.

Crime MUST Pay the Penalty

Another fine cover from Crime Must Pat the Penalty Feb. 1955. Nice use of dramatic perspective and colour. It looks like the Holland Tunnel in New York. The green car is a 1950 Ford and the red one looks like a Chrysler or a Desoto.