The archive photo shows the Canadian Bank of Commerce in the left foreground, while adjacent to it is Toronto Fire Station No. 14, with Police Station No. 7 in the background. The fire hall, designed by architect Almond E Paull, was completed in 1889 and served the community until the early 1960s. It was demolished to make way for the TTC Subway Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) Ossington Station.
Today, a CIBC branch continues to occupy the corner, while the former police station, characterized by its red brick facade in the background of the present-day photo, ceased operations in the late 1960s and has since been repurposed for alternative uses (Toronto Public Library Pictures-R-3752 – Baldwin Collection of Canadiana – James Victor Salmon photographer)
The archive photo captures a glimpse of the businesses and clubs lining the street. From right to left, they include Cyrano’s Restaurant, Steak n’ Burger Tavern, Adourian’s Rug Gallery, and the Albany Club. Over the span of 2018 to 2022, significant changes took place on the block. The historic Albany Club building, dating back to 1930, underwent restoration, while the facades of the mid-1800s-era buildings at 71-85 King St E were preserved and revitalized (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 299, Item 4 – Urban Design photographs)
The archive photo shows when Andrew H Hughes Mens’s Furnishings occupied the building on the left at 812 Queen St E. Since 1997, the storefront has been home to Bonjour Brioche Bakery Café. The Railway Subway (Underpass) in the distance was constructed in 1926 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1385 – James Victor Salmon photographer)
The vintage photo captures a scene outside the museum, with vendors along the street and yellow police cars in the distance. In both photos, the U of T’s Department of Household Science Building is pictured on the right, while the Church of the Redeemer provides a picturesque backdrop.
Built between 1908 and 1912, the Department of Household Science Building was funded by Lillian Massey Treble and aimed to advance education for women. Presently, the building is home to the Centre for Medieval Studies and the Department of Classics. Meanwhile, the Church of the Redeemer, with its origins dating back to 1879, showcases English Gothic architectural design by architects Smith & Gemmell (City of Toronto Archives, Ellis Wiley fonds, Fonds 124, File 3, Item 70)
The vintage photo captures Shea’s Hippodrome Theatre, a majestic establishment that once stood at the very location where Nathan Phillips Square is today. It’s interesting to note that prior to the development of the new Toronto City Hall, Albert St used to extend all the way to Osgoode Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Strathy Smith fonds, Fonds 1128, Series 380, Item 283)
The archive photo shows the construction of the Council Chamber dome and the towers at City Hall. The dome is 46 m in diameter and rises 12 m from the floor to its highest point. The West Tower is 20 floors and stands 79 m tall, while the East Tower is 27 floors and soars to a height of 99 m. In September 1965, Governor-General Georges Vanier opened Toronto’s modern City Hall to a crowd of 14,000 spectators.
It’s interesting to note that the area where City Hall resides was once referred to as “The Ward,” a place that welcomed numerous newcomers, refugees, and migrants to Toronto (Canadian Architectural Archives, City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1268, Item 446)
The Georgian-style building was constructed in 1833 for Daniel Brooke, a merchant in the town of York. The archive photo shows advertising for the Sportsman Shop on the building’s west façade. The structure was given heritage designation in 1973 (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 61, Item 21)
In the archive photo, the corner building is home to the Art Photo Studio. Today, Nadège Patisserie occupies the storefront. Both images feature the backdrop of the St Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 183, Item 19 – Urban Design photographs)
In 1886/87, architect David Roberts Jr designed a fortress-like Romanesque Revival-style building, originally named the “Central Fire Hall.” This historic structure served as a fire station until 1970. In the early 1970s, it was repurposed into the home of The Second City comedy troupe. Over the years, it has also been the location of Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, supporting those affected by cancer. Today, this heritage-designated neighbourhood landmark is home to the College of Makeup Art & Design (Toronto Public Library Pictures-R-2191- James Victor Salmon photographer)
In both images, you can see Duffy’s Tavern, an establishment that has been serving customers since 1949, situated on the right side. The vintage photo showcases several storefronts, including The Green Elf Open Kitchen on the right and Mann Martel Realtors on the left (City of Toronto Archives, Alexandra Studio fonds, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 5623)
The church is a beautiful example of the Romanesque Revival style, constructed in 1874/75 and designed by architect William George Storm. The inaugural service took place in 1876. In 1979, the church was granted heritage designation by the city. The archival photo also captures a portion of the British Hotel on the left (City of Toronto Archives, William James Family fonds, Fonds 1244, Item 7033)
The archive photo shows the Embassy Theatre, today’s CAA Theatre, in the centre background. Since its opening in 1914, the theatre has undergone several name changes. Originally named Victoria, it has also been known as the Embassy, Astor, New Yorker, Showcase, Festival, and Panasonic. In 2018, it was officially renamed the CAA Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 167)
In the vintage photograph, a few billboards are visible. One, positioned on the side of the building, features an advertisement for Bell’s Victrola, a type of phonograph or record player of that era. The other billboard, next to the building in the left foreground, promotes the “The Girls From Happyland” show at the Gayety Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, E.L. Ruddy Company fonds, Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 1226)
The C.P.R. North Toronto Station, an architectural gem designed by Darling & Pearson in the neo-classical Beaux-Arts style, welcomed its first passengers in 1916. The station saw its last railway customers passing through the short-lived North Station in 1930. In 1973, the station earned a well-deserved spot on Heritage Toronto’s initial induction list, alongside 490 other notable buildings (City of Toronto Archives, Strathy Smith fonds, Fonds 1128, Series 380, Item 212)
The archival photograph captures St Paul’s United Church, which once graced the corner. Constructed in 1886/77, the church showcased Gothic Revival architecture crafted by the architects Smith & Gemmell. The church was demolished in 1995. Presently, there are plans to develop a 9-story boutique residence at the site where the church once stood (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 220, Series 65, File 56, Item 130 – Alexandra Studio photographs)
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- Heritage Toronto
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Dec 4, 1908, pg 1 (Department of Household Science Building)
- The Toronto Daily Mail Newspaper Archives: Sep 24, 1889, pg 6 (Toronto Fire Station No. 14)
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Jul 18, 1962, pg 5 (Toronto Fire Station No. 14)
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Public Library, Archives of Ontario & CNE Heritage
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
