Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Parkdale Odeon/ Now and Then

I've lived in the neighbourhood for the past 25 years and had always suspected that this small grocery store was a former movie theatre. A little research on the City's archive turned up this photo.
The Odeon Theatre 1919
The movie or Photo Play showing is Cecile B. DeMille's "Don't Change Your Husband".
Released in 1919 and starring Gloria Swanson.
Another view with the Odeon in the foreground looking east towards Fuller Ave.

This is Progress? Five Corners

The north-west corner of Queen and Roncesvalles or as it used to be known, Five Corners.


An old streetcar shell used as a waiting room before the diner was built.
The B&G Coffee Shop and Milk Bar.




This is Progress?



1923
Early 1980's
2010
A short photo essay on the evolution of the N/W corner of Queen and Roncesvalles
here in Parkdale. My Father tells me that when he was a boy they would go skating on Grenedier Pond and if he had enough money (5 or 10 cents) they would stop in here for some hot chocolate to warm up a bit.

The Guv'nor/Path Racer