Dundas and Lansdowne/Then and Now

Looking west on Dundas Street West across Lansdowne Avenue 1923.

The same view 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

Tom's Dairy Freeze-The Queensway

Opened in 1969 and still going strong.

Consumer's Glass Factory- Hamilton

Some interior shots of the abandoned facility.

More photos and information here.

King and Dufferin/ Then and Now

Looking north up Dufferin from King Street in 1949.

The same view in 2010.

Evans Avenue/ Then and Now

This little strip plaza on Evans Avenue hasn't changed all that much in 50 plus years.

Vintage Hamilton Signs

An old Vitrolite glass storefront on Ottawa Street.

Because of the depressed nature of Hamilton's economy, time has stood still in many areas and as a result there's a wealth of vintage signs and storefronts. More to be added as time allows..

Old Gas Stations

This one's on Dundas just east of Lansdowne.

I managed to take these pictures of an old gas station on the Queensway last year before it was demolished.
This one's in Hamilton. A good example of Art Moderne.

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....

St. Lawrence Antique Market- Sundays

Green with envy.

Kind of Blue.
Click on any image for a better view.

Mellow Yellow.

Think Pink.

Green and Blue.

Baby Blue.

Black and White.
Every week, without fail this vendor sets up the most beautiful and colour co ordinated display at the St. Lawrence Antique market on Sundays. There's a different theme each week and it's worth a visit. Another vendor specializes in books on Toronto history as well.
More photos to come.....

Sorauren Park/Then and Now

Before the park, this site was occupied by a TTC maintenence Depot. For a short time in the late 1980's it was used a film studio. Captain Power was shot here.

Both Sorauren and Roncesvalles are Spanish names.

Colonel Walter O'Hara, one of the earliest land owners in Parkdale fought in the

Battle of Sorauren at the Roncesvalles Pass in Spain

during the War of 1812. He named the streets as a tribute.
The site today.

Sterling Avenue /Then and Now

From Dundas Street looking north, November 1923.

1912

2010

This building on Sterling Avenue is one of my favourites. It was opened in 1919 by the Northern Aluminum Company and was Canada’s tallest building until the Royal York Hotel opened downtown 1929. In fact, I believe it was the tallest building in the British Empire. It actually had one the first elevators in the country, and the only manufacturing facility to have one at the time. Later on it became the Aluminum Company of Canada and then Alcan over the years. It was a continuous sheet casting facility that was employed in making products for the automotive industry. Tower automotives largest client was Daimler Chrysler before closing its doors in 2006 and auctioning off everything in May 2007.

Queen and Jameson / Then and Now

Queen and Jameson looking south in the late 1930's.

Again, a few years later in 1950. Some of the trees have disappeared and the street has been widened to accommodate the increased post-war traffic. The house on the right is slowly

being incorporated into the Toronto Dominion Bank building.
Today the intersection is an absolute mess. Thanks to our city planners this is now one of the most confusing intersections in the city for both drivers and pedestrians alike.
All of the houses on Jameson have been replaced by apartment buildings and as an access point to the Gardiner Expressway it's a heavily travelled route.
The apartment building to the left, The Connaught with the portico removed.