A very attractive German scooter from the 1950's.
A Honda Dream from the mid 1960's.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Vintage German Scooter
A very attractive German scooter from the 1950's.
A Honda Dream from the mid 1960's.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Islington Public School/Then
The first incarnation of the school, 1873.
1883.
Islington Public SchoolIslington Junior Middle School is one of the oldest elementary schools in Toronto. It dates back to 1833 when the first schoolhouse was built in the future Islington community on the north side of today's Dundas. Like many of its generation, it was a one room log cabin. Inside, one of the walls was painted black and used as a blackboard.
Fifty years later, a new school building was needed to service the growing community. The new school seen in this photo was designed in 1883 by William Tyrell on Canning Avenue, today's Cordova Avenue. Tyrell was a local architect responsible for the 1844 design of St. George's on-the-Hill Anglican Church also located in Islington. Tyrell also built a seven storey flour mill historically known as the “Old Mill.” Having suffered a fire in the 1860's, remains of this mill can still be seen across from Etienne Brule Park.
Tyrell's design for the new red brick schoolhouse then known as Islington Public School was simple, featuring Georgian windows. In those days, no artificial lighting was used, so students studied with natural sunlight alone. A wood stove heated the classroom. In those days, the boundaries for school attendance were much larger than they are today...from Lake Ontario to Eglinton Avenue (then known as Richview Sideroad). That school evolved into Islington Junior Middle School, which celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2008.
The third incarnation of the school was built in 1919 and demolished in 1973.
Fifty years later, a new school building was needed to service the growing community. The new school seen in this photo was designed in 1883 by William Tyrell on Canning Avenue, today's Cordova Avenue. Tyrell was a local architect responsible for the 1844 design of St. George's on-the-Hill Anglican Church also located in Islington. Tyrell also built a seven storey flour mill historically known as the “Old Mill.” Having suffered a fire in the 1860's, remains of this mill can still be seen across from Etienne Brule Park.
Tyrell's design for the new red brick schoolhouse then known as Islington Public School was simple, featuring Georgian windows. In those days, no artificial lighting was used, so students studied with natural sunlight alone. A wood stove heated the classroom. In those days, the boundaries for school attendance were much larger than they are today...from Lake Ontario to Eglinton Avenue (then known as Richview Sideroad). That school evolved into Islington Junior Middle School, which celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2008.
The third incarnation of the school was built in 1919 and demolished in 1973.Six Points/Then and Now?
Located on the east point of Six Points was the 6 Points Hotel also known as Love's Hotel.
This current photo is just a guess...
Dundas and Burnhamthorpe/Then and Now
The south side of Dundas just west of Canning (now Cordova) at the turn of the century.
A current view.
Dundas and Burnhamthorpe/Then and Now
The north side of Dundas just east of Burnhamthorpe when it was Hopkin's General Store.
It was refaced at some point and I recall it as a Chinese restaurant in the 1970's.
The building remained standing until about 10 years ago when it was demolished to make room for this....
Another later version of the store that may have been on the south side of the street.
Dundas and Burnhamthorpe/Then and Now
Looking east along Dundas from Burnhamthorpe at the turn of the century.
A somewhat current view.
Vintage Horror Comics from the 1950's
A classic by Johnny Craig.
A classic Vault of Horror from EC Comics, drawn by Johnny Craig.
Here's a cover that you couldn't print today because of the Comics Code. A guy's head being shoved into a vat of boiling oil. Artist unknown.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Jane and Annette/Then and Now
The east side of Jane north of Annette sometime in the late 1960's when it was a Super Test Gas Station.
2010.
Super test was sold to BP in 1971 and in turn BP was bought by Petro Canada.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Adelaide and John/Mostly Now
These classic urban townhouses (circa 1870) on the S/W corner of Adelaide on John were a pub (The Fox and Fiddle) for many years. Developers have bought up the entire block over the last few years and are now in preparation to build more condos.
It's been raised off it's foundations in preparation for a move one block south.
From Historic Toronto:In 1870, on the west side of John Street, two homes were built. The house at 114 John Street was occupied by Charles Bender, a piano manufacturer. The residence at 116 John Street was that of Richard West – a contractor. In 1872, when more homes were constructed, the numbers 114 and 116 were changed to 86 and 88 John Street.
In 1890, the houses were again renumbered and they became 104 and 106 John Street, the numbers being retained to this day. These houses were considered substantial residences, their owners possessing excellent incomes. Their neighbour immediately to the south, at 102 John Street, was the Reverent John Barclay of St. Andrew’s Church on King Street.
Saturday August 13th Update.
The building was moved this morning across john to the east side of the street.
All in all a successful move with very little damage.
The building will remain here until the condos are built and then shifted back to it's new resting spot.
All in all a successful move with very little damage.
The building will remain here until the condos are built and then shifted back to it's new resting spot.Bishop's Block Returns/Adelaide and Simcoe/Then and Now
Dismantled for condo construction, the facade of the Bishop's Block is being re constituted. A small portion was visible through the scaffold this past weekend.
Detail.
Bishop's Block on the N/E corner of Adelaide and Simcoe circa 1890. Built in 1833.According to Patricia McHugh in her excellent book "Toronto Architecture-A City Guide"
"These two brick and stucco row houses are Toronto's oldest example of the genre. though now sadly bereft of their three original sisters and most of their Georgian dignity as well. Joseph Bishop was a butcher who built these houses for speculation."
Bishop's Block some time in the late 1960's when it operated as the Pretzel Bell Tavern.
The remaining houses of the block shortly before demolition.
Sadly, since the book was written, the remaining two houses were torn down last year to make way for more condos. The developers are supposed to re-build the original facades and incorporate them into the new structure.The city did conduct an extensive archeological dig at the site.
Details can be found here.
The resurrected facade has now been revealed.
The front.
When demolition started I was lucky enough to spot this old hand painted sign (Harv's Hang Inn) that had been covered up for years and managed to liberate it...
Bishop's Block as seen in 1856.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
