King and Dufferin/Then and Now

King Street West looking east across Dufferin circa 1910.
A similar view today.

The N/E corner of King and Dufferin.The Metallic Roofing Company of Canada began it's operation in 1884 and was the first such company in Canada. It was located at 1190-1192 King Street West. Tin ceiling tiles held enormous appeal as they were affordable, fireproof and could be decorated with custom designs. Sadly, the building fell into disrepair, but unlike many Toronto gems, it was dismantled and is presently in storage with the Ontario Heritage Trust. The façade is on display at the Ontario Heritage Trust building on Adelaide if you want to get a rare peak at a pressed metal building façade.
Some time in the 1980's.
The facade in it's final days before it was taken apart for storage.
This sat at the corner of Liberty and Jefferson for several years.

Another photo by Patrick Cummins.

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.

King and Church/Then and Now

The south side of King Street from Church at the turn of the century.

Back in the late 1960's when this was taken, King and Church was somewhat rundown and dreary. This had once been the main shopping street in the city and quite fancy.
Pasquale Brothers (seen here) later moved to 217 King Street and then to Etobicoke.
D. Pike Company is still in business as Pike's Awnings and now located in Woodbridge.
40 years later it's been revitalized.

King and Bathurst/Then and Now

The Wheat Sheaf Tavern (1848) sometime in the late 1960's.
It was rumoured that a secret tunnel connected the Wheat Sheaf to nearby Fort York...The Wheat Sheaf in 2010.

King and Dowling/Then and Now

Looking south down Dowling Avenue from King in the 1940's.

The same view in 2010.

King and Cowan/Then and Now

Looking east on King across Cowan Avenue in 1903.

Today.

King and John/Then and Now

The N/W corner of King and John at the turn of the century, The Arlington Hotel was located here.

This shot from the early 1960's shows Farb's Car Wash has replaced the hotel.

King Street in the winter of 1961 looking west from John Farb's Car Wash ("The World's Finest") is on the right. A closer look at the south side reveals Authors and Cox sellers of medical trusses (hernia belts) crutches, supporters and invalid chairs. Behind, peaking out is a sign for Wilcox Signs, still in business and now located on Dundas near Dufferin.

The same view in 2010

King and Dufferin/ Then and Now

Looking north up Dufferin from King Street in 1949.

The same view in 2010.

King and Jameson/ Then and Now

From King Street looking north up Jameson Avenue in the late 1930's.
The same view in 2010.

From King Street looking south down Jameson towards the lake.
The same view in 2010. All of those houses are long gone....

King and Dufferin/Then and Now

King Street West looking east across Dufferin circa 1910.
A similar view today.

The N/E corner of King and Dufferin.The Metallic Roofing Company of Canada began it's operation in 1884 and was the first such company in Canada. It was located at 1190-1192 King Street West. Tin ceiling tiles held enormous appeal as they were affordable, fireproof and could be decorated with custom designs. Sadly, the building fell into disrepair, but unlike many Toronto gems, it was dismantled and is presently in storage with the Ontario Heritage Trust. The façade is on display at the Ontario Heritage Trust building on Adelaide if you want to get a rare peak at a pressed metal building façade.
The facade in it's final days before it was taken apart for storage.
This sat at the corner of Liberty and Jefferson for several years.