Looking northeast towards the corner of Bay St and Wellesley St W in the Bay-Cloverhill neighbourhood of Toronto.
The archive photo showcases the Wellesley Public School. The original school building was constructed in 1873. However, due to a growing population, a major addition designed by architects McCaw & Lennox was completed in 1876, allowing the school to accommodate 600 students. This attractive building featured a mansard roof with towers topped by iron railings, and although it may not be apparent, it was made of white brick. The school continued to operate until approximately 1956, after which it was temporarily used by the Ontario Water Resources Commission. The vintage photo also shows a British American gas station sign in the left foreground and a Coca-Cola sign in the right background.
The school building was replaced by the Sutton Place Hotel, which opened in 1967. Today, the former hotel has been converted into The Britt, a 41-storey condo.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register:
- Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Dec 4, 1876, pg 3
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Aug 23, 1967, pg B5
- Wellesley Public School
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: Toronto Public Library
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
