More Old Store Fronts/Toronto

Dundas and Bathurst/Then and Now

Looking west along Dundas at Bathurst, June 1950.2010.

The S/W corner looking west.2010.

Dundas and Dufferin/Then and Now

Looking east along Dundas from Dufferin in 1953.The same view in 2010.

Looking north up Dufferin from Dundas in 1949.

The same view in 1951 after the road was widened.2010.
Looking south in 1949.Looking south in 1951
2010.

Arnprior /The Ottawa Valley

John Street in 1909.

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.

Also located in Arnprior is the old O'Brien Theatre. Built in 1919, it's a survivor.
The O'Brien in 1930.
1989.
The O'Brien Theatre in 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.

Today.
Another shot of the Alhambra in 1947.
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.

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?
2010.
Action #1.

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

2010.

Queen and Gladstone/Then and Now

Looking east along Queen Street from Gladstone in September of 1916.
2010.

Centre Theatre/Then and Now

The Centre Theatre in 1943 when Destroyer was showing.

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.

Today
The Dead End Kids A.K.A The Bowery Boys.

Queen and Gladstone/Then and Now

Looking north on Gladstone from Queen in 1949 before the road was widened.

1951 after the roadwork looking past the old Gladstone Hotel.

A current view.

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.