Toronto History - Discover Its Past & Present - TorontoJourney416

Honest Ed’s – The Landmark Discount Store in Downtown Toronto

Horse Palace – The Equestrian Art Deco Temple at Exhibition Place

Toronto Island

1908 - Looking southeast towards The Lakeside Home for Little Children, once located at Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island

1908 - Looking southeast towards The Lakeside Home for Little Children, once located at Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island

Lakeside Home for Little Children – A Beloved Landmark Once on...

The Lakeside Home for Little Children was once located near Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island. The beloved landmark was built in 1883...

Early 1950s - The Island Theatre was once located at 4 Iroquois Ave on Centre Island

Early 1950s - The Island Theatre was once located at 4 Iroquois Ave on Centre Island

Island Theatre – Once on Centre Island

2020 - The Statue of Ned Hanlan, one of the world's greatest oarsmen, on the Toronto Island

2020 - The Statue of Ned Hanlan, one of the world's greatest oarsmen, on the Toronto Island

Ned Hanlan – Canada’s World Famous Champion Oarsman

2022 - Looking northwest towards the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on Toronto Island

2022 - Looking northwest towards the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse on Toronto Island

Gibraltar Point Lighthouse – Toronto Island Historic & Haunted Landmark

2022 - Looking northwest from the Centre Island ferry docks towards a Toronto Island ferry with Toronto's skyline as a backdrop

2022 - Looking northwest from the Centre Island ferry docks towards a Toronto Island ferry with Toronto's skyline as a backdrop

Toronto Island – The Sandbars that Influenced the Founding of York

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Once Upon a Time in Toronto

Runnymede Theatre once at 2223 Bloor St W in Toronto - now Shoppers Drug Mart (2021)

Runnymede Theatre once at 2223 Bloor St W in Toronto - now Shoppers Drug Mart (2021)

Runnymede Theatre – The Historic Theatre is Now a Drug Store

The historic Runnymede Theatre in Toronto was built in 1927. Today, the beautifully restored building is home to Shoppers Drug Mart.

1867 - The Great Western Railway Station at Yonge St and The Esplanade, northeast corner

1867 - The Great Western Railway Station at Yonge St and The Esplanade, northeast corner

Great Western Railway Station – Later the Toronto Wholesale Fruit Market

The Victory Burlesque Theatre once at 287 Spadina Ave in Toronto

The Victory Burlesque Theatre once at 287 Spadina Ave in Toronto

Victory Burlesque Theatre – Once Began as a Live Yiddish Venue

1925 - Sign for the future site of Maple Leaf Stadium, once located at the foot of Bathurst St and Lake Shore Blvd W

1925 - Sign for the future site of Maple Leaf Stadium, once located at the foot of Bathurst St and Lake Shore Blvd W

Maple Leaf Stadium – Home to One of Toronto’s Greatest Baseball...

1960s – Looking southwest towards Honest Ed's between Bloor St W and Markham St in the Mirvish Village neighbourhood of Toronto

1960s – Looking southwest towards Honest Ed's between Bloor St W and Markham St in the Mirvish Village neighbourhood of Toronto

Honest Ed’s – The Landmark Discount Store in Downtown Toronto

Le Coq d'Or Tavern once at 333 Yonge St in Toronto (1972 City of Toronto Archives)

Le Coq d’Or Tavern – The Heart & Soul of Yonge...

1984 - Captain John's second floating restaurant and the Toronto Star Building on Queens Quay at the foot of Yonge St, looking northeast

1984 - Captain John's second floating restaurant and the Toronto Star Building on Queens Quay at the foot of Yonge St, looking northeast

Captain John’s Harbour Boat Restaurant – Once a Waterfront Icon

1910 - The General Post Office once stood at 38-42 Adelaide St E, opposite Toronto St

1910 - The General Post Office once stood at 38-42 Adelaide St E, opposite Toronto St

General Post Office – A Gem That Once Stood at Adelaide...

1973 - The Imperial Six Theatre, today's Ed Mirvish Theatre, at 263 Yonge St

1973 - The Imperial Six Theatre, today's Ed Mirvish Theatre, at 263 Yonge St

Imperial Six Theatre – One of the World’s First Multiplex Theatres

Toronto Time Tunnel - Over 700 Then & Now Photos

1929 - Queen's Wharf Lighthouse is being moved to the new location between Fleet St & Lake Shore Blvd W in the Niagara neighbourhood of Toronto

1929 - Queen's Wharf Lighthouse is being moved to the new location between Fleet St & Lake Shore Blvd W in the Niagara neighbourhood of Toronto

Past & Present – Newly Added

See remarkable historical photos of old Toronto's amazing architecture and more on our past and present page at TorontoJourney416.com

1934 - Belgian horse showing in front of the Coliseum's Annex at Exhibition Place

1934 - Belgian horse showing in front of the Coliseum's Annex at Exhibition Place

Past & Present – Part 21

1972 - Looking southeast towards the Canary Restaurant, once located at 425/441 Cherry St and Front St E in the West Don Lands neighbourhood of Toronto

1972 - Looking southeast towards the Canary Restaurant, once located at 425/441 Cherry St and Front St E in the West Don Lands neighbourhood of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 20

1910 - The Yonge St and Richmond St E corner of the Confederation Life Building is occupied by the Traders' Bank of Canada. This entrance was added to the corner of the building during renovations in 1899

1910 - The Yonge St and Richmond St E corner of the Confederation Life Building is occupied by the Traders' Bank of Canada. This entrance was added to the corner of the building during renovations in 1899

Past & Present – Part 19

1980s – Looking east from Elm St towards A&A Records & Tapes, Thrifty’s and Sam the Record Man on Yonge St. A&A's sign is depicted on the south-facing Yonge Street Music History mural

1980s – Looking east from Elm St towards A&A Records & Tapes, Thrifty’s and Sam the Record Man on Yonge St. A&A's sign is depicted on the south-facing Yonge Street Music History mural

Past & Present – Part 18

1940s – Looking northwest from Victoria St at the back of Loew's Yonge Street Theatre, today the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre

1940s – Looking northwest from Victoria St at the back of Loew's Yonge Street Theatre, today the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre

Past & Present – Part 17

1965 - The Princess Margaret Fountain at the Canadian National Exhibition. The fountain was installed in 1958 and is made of reinforced concrete and steel

1965 - The Princess Margaret Fountain at the Canadian National Exhibition. The fountain was installed in 1958 and is made of reinforced concrete and steel

Past & Present – Part 16

1970s – The Biltmore Theatre and Tops Restaurant was once located at 319/317 Yonge St, north of Dundas St E on the east side in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto

1970s – The Biltmore Theatre and Tops Restaurant was once located at 319/317 Yonge St, north of Dundas St E on the east side in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 15

1948 – Odeon Hyland Theatre was once located at 1501 Yonge St

1948 – Odeon Hyland Theatre was once located at 1501 Yonge St

Past & Present – Part 14

Toronto Music & Venues

Le Coq d'Or Tavern once at 333 Yonge St in Toronto (1972 City of Toronto Archives)

Le Coq d’Or Tavern – The Heart & Soul of Yonge...

Le Coq d'Or Tavern was once located on Yonge St in Toronto. In the 50's & 60's, it was one of the most popular and influential rock'n'roll...

The Colonial Tavern once at 201-203 Yonge St in Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 428, Item 26)

Colonial Tavern – The Historic Venue’s Part in Toronto’s Music Heritage

1970s - Friar's Tavern at Yonge St and Dundas Square, looking southeast

1970s - Friar's Tavern at Yonge St and Dundas Square, looking southeast

Friar’s Tavern – Playing Its Part in Creating the Yonge Street...

Sam the Record Man was once located at 347 Yonge St in Toronto (2019)

Sam the Record Man was once located at 347 Yonge St in Toronto (2019)

Sam the Record Man – Once Yonge Street’s Music Store Mecca

Meridian Hall, once the O'Keefe Centre, at 1 Front St E in Toronto (2021)

Meridian Hall – Toronto’s Sophisticated Venue, Once the O’Keefe Centre

2021 - The Palais Royale at 1601 Lake Shore Blvd W, looking southeast

2021 - The Palais Royale at 1601 Lake Shore Blvd W, looking southeast

Palais Royale – Toronto’s Historic and Elegant Lakeside Ballroom

2019 – The Matador Club's iconic sign

2019 – The Matador Club's iconic sign

Matador Ballroom – Toronto’s Historic Live Music Club

1971 - Brown Derby Tavern at Yonge St and Dundas St E, northeast corner

1971 - Brown Derby Tavern at Yonge St and Dundas St E, northeast corner

Brown Derby Tavern – Hats Off to the Landmark Once at...

June 16, 1980 - Looking southeast toward the construction of Roy Thomson Hall at Simcoe St and King St W in downtown Toronto. The steel-tube framing will support the triangular and diamond-shaped glass that covers the venue

June 16, 1980 - Looking southeast toward the construction of Roy Thomson Hall at Simcoe St and King St W in downtown Toronto. The steel-tube framing will support the triangular and diamond-shaped glass that covers the venue

Roy Thomson Hall – Modern Architecture & Rich Acoustics

Toronto Arenas, Stadiums & Racetracks

Maple Leaf Gardens is located at 50 Carlton St in Toronto (2021)

Maple Leaf Gardens is located at 50 Carlton St in Toronto (2021)

Maple Leaf Gardens – Toronto’s Iconic Cathedral of Hockey

Maple Leaf Gardens is Toronto's iconic Cathedral of Hockey. Built in 1931, the arena was home of the Toronto Maple Leafs until 1999.

The Dufferin Park Racetrack, once where the Dufferin Mall in Toronto stands today

The Dufferin Park Racetrack, once where the Dufferin Mall in Toronto stands today

Dufferin Park Racetrack – Once Where Dufferin Mall Stands Today

Former Varsity Stadium at University of Toronto's St George Campus at 299 Bloor St W (1980/98 City of Toronto Archives)

Varsity Stadium – Toronto’s Century-Old Athletic Grounds

Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand in Toronto

Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand in Toronto

Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand – Hosting Legendary Concerts & Events

1957 - Horses breaking from starting gate with a crowd watching at Greenwood Raceway

1957 - Horses breaking from starting gate with a crowd watching at Greenwood Raceway

Greenwood Raceway/Old Woodbine Racetrack – 119 Years of Horse Racing

1925 - Sign for the future site of Maple Leaf Stadium, once located at the foot of Bathurst St and Lake Shore Blvd W

1925 - Sign for the future site of Maple Leaf Stadium, once located at the foot of Bathurst St and Lake Shore Blvd W

Maple Leaf Stadium – Home to One of Toronto’s Greatest Baseball...

2021 – Looking southwest towards the north entrance of the Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place in Toronto. City architect, George FW Price, designed the massive two-storey, yellow brick building

2021 – Looking southwest towards the north entrance of the Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place in Toronto. City architect, George FW Price, designed the massive two-storey, yellow brick building

Coliseum Complex at Exhibition Place – An Agricultural Showplace

1905 - Hanlan's Point Stadium and Amusement Park. At the time, the stadium was the home field of the Tecumseh Lacrosse Club. The Toronto baseball club had moved to Diamond Park for a few years, from 1901 to 1907, before returning to Hanlan's Point on Toronto Island in 1908

1905 - Hanlan's Point Stadium and Amusement Park. At the time, the stadium was the home field of the Tecumseh Lacrosse Club. The Toronto baseball club had moved to Diamond Park for a few years, from 1901 to 1907, before returning to Hanlan's Point on Toronto Island in 1908

Hanlan’s Point Stadium – The Diamond Once at Toronto Island