The vintage postcard shows the former Hotel Elliott, which was built in the late 1880s and originally named the Elliot House after its founder, John Elliott. By 1960, it had been renamed Hotel Carson, but in 1961, the establishment was destroyed by a fire. Following this incident, the site was turned into a parking lot. Today, the corner is home to a modern mixed-use building (Toronto Public Library PC_3764 – Novelty Mfg. & Art Company publisher)
The archive photo shows the arch on Bay St during the royal tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. On the left, you can see the former Temple Building, which belonged to the Independent Order of Foresters. Additionally, both images feature the Old City Hall clock tower in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Alexander W. Galbraith fonds, Fonds 1568, Item 504)
The archive photo shows a vastly different streetscape compared to today. In the left foreground, the Dominion Automobile Company is visible, featuring a banner advertising what appears to be a Hudson Model Six-54 priced at $2,950. In the centre stands Fire Hall No. 1, which was in service from 1841 until the mid-1920s. To the right, in the background, is the Stair Building, which includes an ad for the Star Burlesque Theatre, previously located at 23 Temperance St.
Currently, the stretch of Bay St from Temperance St to Adelaide St W is occupied by the Bay Adelaide Centre – West Tower (Toronto Public Library E8-222)
The archive photo shows Grand & Toy in the right foreground with Aikenhead Hardware Company visible in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Ellis Wiley fonds, Fonds 124, File 3, ID 146)
The archive photo features the 11-storey Temple Building on the left and The Dominion Automobile Company Building in the foreground on the right. Taken shortly after the Great Fire of April 19, 1904, the old image captures people riding bicycles, travelling in horse-drawn carriages, walking, and even a single automobile. However, it does not show the devastation caused by the fire, which occurred just 200 metres to the south.
Although the streetscape has changed over the past century, Old City Hall and its clock tower remain a constant in both photos (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1548, Series 402, Item 1 – John Boyd Sr. photographs)
The archive photo shows the former Temple Building, located at the corner, which was designed by George W. Gouinlock and opened in 1898. This building served as the headquarters for the Independent Order of Foresters (IOF), a fraternal society and life insurance company, until 1950. The Temple Building was demolished in 1970, but a fragment of it can still be found at the Guild Inn Estate. Since 1972, the 32-story office tower, visible in the present-day photo and known as 390 Bay St, has occupied the northwest corner.
The old photo also features the streetcars that once traveled along Richmond St W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 372, Sub Series 58, Item 77 – Dept. of Public Works photographs)
Both photos feature the Confederation Life Building in the centre-left. It was constructed between 1890 and 1892 and designed by the architectural firm Knox, Elliot & Jarvis. This building served as the headquarters for the Confederation Life Association until 1955. In 1973, it received heritage status from the city.
The archival photo also captures a portion of the Hobberlin Building in the right foreground, which was demolished in the mid-1980s. Today, the site is occupied by the Yonge Richmond Centre, located at 151 Yonge St (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 29, Item 75)
According to the 1971/72 Toronto City Directory, the establishments visible in the archive photo, from left to right, include the India House Tavern Restaurant, the Dominion Clothing Company (men’s furnishings), and Williams-Hildas (arts and crafts).
These buildings are listed on the city’s heritage register as part of the Historic Yonge Street Heritage Conservation District (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 2, Item 38)
The three-storey row buildings located at 664-680 Yonge St were constructed in 1883 for the Scottish Ontario and Manitoba Land Company. Designed in the Second Empire style by Edward J. Lennox, these buildings were listed on the city’s heritage register as part of the Historic Yonge Street Heritage Conservation District in 1974.
According to the 1975/76 Toronto City Directory, some of the establishments featured in the archival photo from left to right include Bob’s Supermarket, Lido’s Spaghetti House, Gutenberg Art Gallery, Joy Fish & Chips, Master John, Revolution Leather, Bechstein Pianos, Midi Maxi Ladies Wear, and May Jee Gifts & Linen (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 2, Item 12)
In the archive photo, several establishments can be seen starting from the left foreground, including Alex Petrie Drugs, Picadilly Tea Room Restaurant, Barrie’s Furs, and Spirella Corsets. The tall building in the background is part of the Uptown Theatre, which was converted into Uptown Backstage in 1969, with access from Balumto St.
In 2003, both the Uptown and Backstage theatres closed, and most of the landmark was demolished that same year. Also, notice the streetcar tracks that were once on Bloor St W in the vintage photo (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 372, Sub Series 3, Item 688 – Dept. of Public Works photographs)
According to the 1971/72 Toronto City Directory, a few of the shops in the archive photo include Toronto Paint & Wallpaper, Hair Beauty Salon, Media One Stop (clothing boutique), Jonathan Swift (boutique), Mr Fun (gift store), Lum’s Garden Restaurant, A & A Bakery, Galaxy Leather Goods, India House Tavern and Tandy Leather.
This row of 19th-century buildings along Yonge St has maintained much of its character over the past half-century (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 2, Item 50)
The archive photo shows the former Tamblyn Drugs, Zeller’s and Co-Op Automobile Insurance. Today, Holt Renfrew occupies a majority of the site (CU110502081, by Panda Associates, Courtesy of Canadian Architectural Archives Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary)
The vintage photo showcases a streetscape featuring the Uptown Theatre sign on the left side. Today, this façade serves as the entrance to a Rogers store.
According to the 1974/75 Toronto City Directory, several shops visible in the archival photo on the right side include Interesting Jewellery Shop, Patio Health Club, Young’s Photo Supplies, Donut Shop, Sherman’s Music Centre, Andre’s Wines, and Yonge Station Tavern, which was then a division of the Brass Rail Tavern (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 2, Item 8)
The archive photo showcases several notable items, including billboard advertisements for “The Frolics of 1917” and “Five Roses Flour,” situated next to a residential building. The vintage image also features surrounding structures that belonged to the T. Eaton Company.
All of these buildings have long since been torn down, and the corner is now home to an office complex called Bell Trinity Square (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 2172 – James Victor Salmon photographer)
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 664-680 Yonge St
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: Confederation Life Building at 20 Richmond St E
- Heritage Toronto
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: Feb 7, 1907, pg 13 (New Carlton Hotel at 155 Yonge St)
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Aug 2, 1924, pg 13 (Bay St & Temperance St, southeast corner)
- The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: Sep 10, 1924, pg 3 (Bay St & Temperance St, southeast corner)
- The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: Mar 16, 1926, pg 2 (Bay St & Temperance St, southeast corner)
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Dec 7, 1887, pg 5 (Elliott House)
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Feb 1, 1961, pg 1 (Elliott House)
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Public Library, Archives of Ontario & CNE Heritage
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
