Friday, October 28, 2011

Six Points Plaza/Then and Now

Six Points Plaza at Kipling in 1956 prior to the widening of Dundas Street. Note how attractive all the signs are.A contemporary view.

Novelty Signs/Kingston Road

This chip wagon is located on Kingston Road east of Whites Road in Pickering. Before the 401 was built, Kingston Road (Hwy 2) was the main thoroughfare travelling east from Toronto.
A shot from the archives circa 1908. Kingston Road.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Queen and University/Then and Now



This is a repeat of an older post but is worth looking at.
Looking north up University from Richmond in the winter of 1935 shortly after University had been extended south of Queen.
2010.
Looking south to Queen in 1927 when University ended here.
Again.
Looking S/E across Queen, 1925.
Looking west along Queen past University 1924.
The area in red reveals the extant that Queen, Richmond, Adelaide, Pearl, King and Wellington were cleared for the extension.
Queen looking west. The cleared area can be seen to the right. Even the buildings that were spared wouldn't last much longer.
2010. The new Opera House.
The south side of Queen between Simcoe and University, 1931.
2010.
And finally, the north side of Queen between Simcoe and University, 1926.
A closer look at this photo reveals the hotel on the right is called the Rex.
The Rex still exists one block west at St. Patrick.
2010 and now home of the Campbell House.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Fabulous Flying Pigeon Vintage Bicycle

A new addition to the fleet. This is a late 1950's Flying Pigeon built in China and according to the previous owner, was purchased at Eaton's in 1958 or 1959. The bike is totally original and virtually unmolested. It weighs close to 100 pounds and has drum brakes. It's more like a small motorcycle than a big bike. It even has the original Flying Pigeon tires.
The original generator still works.
Rod and lever brakes.
Hand pin striped as well.
Still on the lookout for a fender ornament.
For more information on the Flying Pigeon and other Chinese bicycles please visit:
http://www.flyingpigeonproject.org/
New Flying Pigeons are still available and are shipped ready for final assembly.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Route 66 Motel by Josh Heisie

An original painting for a TV Movie by Josh Heisie.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Steeplechase Park, Coney Island

This iconic image (similar to Mad's Alfred E. Neuman) was seen throughout Coney Island's Steeplechase park from 1897 until it was demolished by Donald trump's father in 1964.


For more information click here.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Great Photo/1939 Gordonton, North Carolina

July 1939. Gordonton, North Carolina. 4x5 nitrate negative by Dorothea Lange for the Farm Security Administration.
Colourized by Hillie.

Friday, September 23, 2011

This is Why the Sixties Were Cool.

The Clairtone Project G console stereo. Using the inflation calculator, the price today would be approx. $12,000.00. For more information on the Clairetone G series please visit
clairtone.ca

Vintage Signs


A couple of images from an excellent blog about vintage signs, Retro Sign blog.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Eaton's Glider Bicycle

$59.99 would be close to $360.00 today.


Eaton's Glider line of bicycles were made in England by Raleigh and re-branded for sale here in Canada. Many are still on the road today.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

College and Dovercourt/Then and Now

The N/W corner of College and Dovercourt in 1940. The College Theatre was built in 1920 and demolished in 1966. More info can be found here at Silent Toronto.
2010.