Oxford Theatre was once located at 1510 Danforth Ave (between Monarch Park Ave and Coxwell Ave on the north side) in the East Danforth neighbourhood of Toronto.
In 1925, Mr & Mrs Herbert Wainwright owned their first theatre, the Oxford, at 1452 Danforth Ave. Four years later, they built a larger theatre, also named the Oxford, a few doors down at 1510 Danforth Ave.
In 1942, B&F Theatres took over the operation of the Oxford.
Since the theatre closed in the mid-1950s, the building has been used as commercial space for Caplan Radio Danforth Ltd Appliances, Hancock’s TV Appliances Ltd, The Cyclepath, and today is home to Legacy Indoor Cycling and Tidal Fitness.
The building received heritage status from the City of Toronto in 2022.
Oxford Theatre Photos
Between 1936 and 1937 – Oxford Theatre was once located at 1510 Danforth Ave, between Monarch Park Ave and Coxwell Ave on the north side. On the marquee, “Public Enemy’s Wife,” starring Pat O’Brien, Margaret Lindsay and Robert Armstrong and “Love Begins at 20,” starring Hugh Herbert, Patricia Ellis and Warren Hull, were playing and both released in 1936 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 1136) 1936 – Looking east along Danforth Ave towards the Oxford Theatre once located at 1510 Danforth Ave, between Monarch Park Ave and Coxwell Ave. On the marquee, “The Bohemian Girl,” starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and Thelma Todd, was playing and released in 1936 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 16, Series 71, Item 11595) 1937 – Looking northeast towards Oxford Theatre, once located at 1510 Danforth Ave, between Monarch Park Ave and Coxwell Ave in the East Danforth neighbourhood (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster Fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 125)Date unknown – Oxford Theatre was once located at 1510 Danforth Ave. Today, the former theatre building is home to commercial space (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster Fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 125)2022 – Legacy Indoor Cycling and Tidal Fitness at 1510 Danforth Ave was once home to Oxford Theatre1926 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Oxford Theatre at its first location at 1452 Danforth Ave (Toronto Public Library)1930 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Oxford Theatre at its second location at 1510 Danforth Ave (Toronto Public Library)
SOURCE
The Globe Newspaper Archives: Jan 30, 1932, pg 13
The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: Aug 22, 1942, pg 10
The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Jun 22, 1946, pg 19
Toronto Star Newspaper Archives: Feb 21, 1957, pg 13
