Looking northeast towards the corner of Bay St and Wellesley St W in the Bay-Cloverhill neighbourhood of Toronto.
The archive photo shows the Wellesley Public School. The original building was constructed in 1873, and due to a growing population, a major addition was added in 1876, designed by architects McCaw & Lennox. This expansion allowed the school to accommodate 600 students. The handsome building featured a mansard roof with towers topped by iron railings, and although it may not be evident in the old photo, it was made of white brick. The school operated until around 1956, after which it temporarily housed the Ontario Water Resources Commission.
The old school building was replaced by the Sutton Place Hotel, which opened in 1967. Today, the former hotel has been converted into a 41-storey condo called The Britt.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: December 4, 1876, pg 3 (Wellesley Public School, northeast corner of Bay St & Wellesley St W)
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: August 23, 1967, pg B5 (Wellesley Public School, northeast corner of Bay St & Wellesley St W)
- Wellesley Public School
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- Vintage Photo: Toronto Public Library
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
