HomeToronto Time Tunnel - Past & Present

Toronto Time Tunnel - Past & Present

May 1953 - Islington House was once located at 4922 Dundas St W and Burnhamthorpe Rd in the Islington neighbourhood of Toronto. The tavern is shown here in the archive photo at the northeast corner; however, after the realignment of Burnhamthorpe Rd in 1956, it was at the northwest corner. Parts of the building date back to the late 1830s, when it served as a grocery store. By the 1870s, it had been converted into Brownridge's Hotel. In 1933, a fire swept through the building. By this time, it was known as the Islington Hotel, leading to its reconstruction. In the early 1980s, the establishment was serving 250,000 litres of beer annually in its 350-seat tavern, but by the mid-1980s, business had declined due to other establishments opening in the area. In 1986, the historic tavern closed. While the building's heritage value was assessed, an architect's report stated that after renovations and rebuilding, very little of the original structure remained. The tavern was demolished and replaced with an office and retail building, which has since also been torn down

Past & Present – Part 113

1972 - Looking northeast towards the corner of Victoria St and Lombard St in the St Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto. You can see the Coca-Cola advertisement storefront sign on Leon's Restaurant, along with a hanging Coca-Cola sign to the right at Maxie's Smoke Shop. A Pepsi-Cola truck is parked on Lombard St

Past & Present – Part 112

1926 - A family taking a break at the Exhibition. The hats in this photo especially stand out

Past & Present – Part 111

August 22, 2026 – The Flyer sign at the CNE

Past & Present – Part 110

October 18, 2019 – Patrician Grill is located at 219 King St E, just east of Frederick St in the Moss Park neighbourhood of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 109

August 3, 2019 - Mars Food was once at 432 College St, east of Bathurst St in the Harbord Village neighbourhood of Toronto. The restaurant closed in 2021

Past & Present – Part 108

Circa 1920 – The Toronto Daily Star was located at 18-20 King St W from 1905 to 1929. The newspaper purchased this building for $150,000; it was originally known as the North of Scotland Chambers, built in 1878

Past & Present – Part 107

May 1953 - Islington House was once located at 4922 Dundas St W and Burnhamthorpe Rd in the Islington neighbourhood of Toronto. The tavern is shown here in the archive photo at the northeast corner; however, after the realignment of Burnhamthorpe Rd in 1956, it was at the northwest corner. Parts of the building date back to the late 1830s, when it served as a grocery store. By the 1870s, it had been converted into Brownridge's Hotel. In 1933, a fire swept through the building. By this time, it was known as the Islington Hotel, leading to its reconstruction. In the early 1980s, the establishment was serving 250,000 litres of beer annually in its 350-seat tavern, but by the mid-1980s, business had declined due to other establishments opening in the area. In 1986, the historic tavern closed. While the building's heritage value was assessed, an architect's report stated that after renovations and rebuilding, very little of the original structure remained. The tavern was demolished and replaced with an office and retail building, which has since also been torn down

Past & Present – Part 106

September 14, 2019 – The Bloor Jane Restaurant was once at 2434 Bloor St W, east of Jane St in the Runnymede-Bloor West Village neighbourhood of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 105

August 1972 - Le Coq d'Or Tavern was once located at ‪333 Yonge St‬, north of Dundas St E, in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto. Opened in 1949 as a fine-dining restaurant and cocktail lounge, by the late 1950s, Le Coq d'Or had become a wildly popular club. The tavern hosted many musicians, including Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, Bo Diddley, The Cougars, Solomon Burke and the Beau Marks. Le Coq d'Or, which translates to "The Golden Rooster," became one of the most renowned rock 'n' roll venues on the Yonge Street strip. It closed its doors in 1976. Over the years, the building has been home to various businesses, including HMV from 1999 to 2017 and Tokyo Smoke from 2019 to 2024, and it continues to serve a variety of commercial purposes. The archive photo was taken during the Scottish World Festival

Past & Present – Part 104

June 22, 1955 – The Saphire Tavern was once located at 30 King St W, on the north side between Yonge St and Bay St, in the Financial District of Toronto. The Saphire Tavern moved from its original location at 89 Yonge St to its new spot on King St W in the early 1950s. It remained there until 1958, when it relocated to a corner storefront in the Confederation Life Building, situated at the northwest corner of Richmond St E and Victoria St

Past & Present – Part 103

August 26, 1956 – Looking northeast from Queens Park towards the Church of the Redeemer at 162 Bloor St W. Notice the house that was once next to the church. Constructed circa 1910, before it was torn down in the early 1960s, it housed various doctors' offices

Past & Present – Part 102

July 4, 2019 - Cadillac Lounge was once at 1296 Queen St W in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. The roadhouse opened in 2000 and was founded by Sam Grosso, who also owned the El Mocambo. The Cadillac Lounge featured an eye-catching sign - part of a white 1960s Coupe de Ville hanging on the building's facade. Some notable Canadian music performers who played at the Cadillac included Burton Cummings, Gordon Lightfoot, and Blue Rodeo. This retro honky-tonk establishment closed its doors in 2019

Past & Present – Part 101

May 1953 - Islington House was once located at 4922 Dundas St W and Burnhamthorpe Rd in the Islington neighbourhood of Toronto. The tavern is shown here in the archive photo at the northeast corner; however, after the realignment of Burnhamthorpe Rd in 1956, it was at the northwest corner. Parts of the building date back to the late 1830s, when it served as a grocery store. By the 1870s, it had been converted into Brownridge's Hotel. In 1933, a fire swept through the building. By this time, it was known as the Islington Hotel, leading to its reconstruction. In the early 1980s, the establishment was serving 250,000 litres of beer annually in its 350-seat tavern, but by the mid-1980s, business had declined due to other establishments opening in the area. In 1986, the historic tavern closed. While the building's heritage value was assessed, an architect's report stated that after renovations and rebuilding, very little of the original structure remained. The tavern was demolished and replaced with an office and retail building, which has since also been torn down

Past & Present – Part 100

August 26, 1956 – Looking northeast from Queens Park towards the Church of the Redeemer at 162 Bloor St W. Notice the house that was once next to the church. Constructed circa 1910, before it was torn down in the early 1960s, it housed various doctors' offices

Past & Present – Part 99

May 28, 2022 – The Silver Dollar Room

Past & Present – Part 98

February 15, 2026 - Filmores Hotel sign and entrance at 212 Dundas St E with a streetcar passing by. The hotel closed its doors about two weeks before this photo was taken

Past & Present – Part 97

February 15, 2020 - The Paddock Tavern is located at 174 Bathurst St, just south of Queen St W, in the Fashion District of Toronto. According to a newspaper ad, the Paddock Tavern opened on April 1, 1949. Its name, which refers to a small enclosure for horses, reflects the background of its founder, Morris Fishman, who was a jockey, horse trainer, and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The tavern served as a tribute to Fishman's champion racehorse, Canada's Teddy. As a restaurant and tavern, it originally featured three rooms named after famous horse racing venues: Saratoga (New York), Blue Bonnets (formerly in Montreal), and Little Saratoga (a nickname for the former Dufferin Park in Toronto). In the early 1950s, Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson performed at the Paddock. Throughout its years, the tavern went through various phases, including the goth years in the 1980s. This was followed by the restoration of the bar during the 1990s. Recently, there was speculation about the tavern’s closure due to plans to redevelop the site. However, a post on the Paddock Tavern's Instagram account stated that these plans have been postponed, and the tavern remains open

Past & Present – Part 96

1981 – The Dominion House was once located at 500 Queen St E, at the northwest corner of Sumach St, in the Corktown neighbourhood of Toronto. The building, which dates back to 1890 and was originally known as the Dominion Hotel, was part of the neighbouring Dominion Brewery. From the late 1950s until the 1980s, it operated as the Dominion House hotel. The tavern was located on the ground floor, as shown in the right foreground of the archive photo. It then became Gennaro's hotel/tavern/lounge, followed by Dominion on Queen by the late 1990s, then Dominion Pub and Kitchen, which has since closed. Today, the storefront is once again home to a restaurant

Past & Present – Part 95

Circa 1945 - The Jolly Miller Hotel, today the Miller Tavern, is located at 3885 Yonge St, at the northeast corner of Mill St, in the Hogg's Hollow neighbourhood of North York. Built around 1857 by William and James Hogg, it was originally known as the York Mills Hotel. Over the years, it changed hands a number of times. From 1889 until 1925, it was called Birrell's Hotel. However, during Prohibition, it gained a reputation as a gambling den, which was eventually shut down following multiple police raids. In 1930, the building was remodelled and renamed the Jolly Miller Hotel. A sign featuring a jolly miller, painted by artist C.W. Jefferys, hung outside the establishment. For a brief period, it operated as a fancy dining and dancing club with live music, but it soon returned to its previous reputation. It functioned as a tavern and hotel until the mid-1960s, when it became a tavern exclusively. In 1997, the City of North York purchased the property and closed the tavern. The heritage-designated building underwent renovations, and since 2004, it has been home to the Miller Tavern, which offers "elevated tavern dining"

Past & Present – Part 94

March 1959 – Looking northeast from a parking lot on Court St, between Toronto St and Church St, towards the former Police Station No. 1, once located at 6-10 Court St. Designed in the Second Empire style by architects Harper & Son and constructed in the mid-1870s, it was originally the Police Court and Fire Hall Building. It was demolished approximately one year after this photo was taken

Past & Present – Part 93

Circa 1941 - On the marquee at the Bayview Theatre, "They Met in Bombay," starring Clark Gable, Rosalind Russell, and Peter Lorre, along with "Knockout," featuring Arthur Kennedy and Olympe Bradna, were showing, both released in 1941. Since 2011, the former theatre building at 1605 Bayview Ave has been home to Shoppers Drug Mart

Past & Present – Part 92

April 1970 - The Spadina Hotel was once located at 460 King St W, at the northwest corner of Spadina Ave, in the Fashion District and Wellington Place neighbourhood of Toronto. The hotel, originally known as the Richardson House, was constructed in several phases beginning in 1875, with the initial 3-storey building located at the corner. Later alterations included a 4-storey brick extension added to the north side in 1890. The hotel changed hands and names a few times, including being called the Hotel Falconer and later Zeigler's Hotel. After facing some violations, the owner had to transfer the hotel's liquor license. Eventually, the hotel regained its liquor license and by 1918 was known as the Hotel Spadina. In the late 1940s, the hotel, which also featured a dining room, opened the Cabana Room on the second floor of the original building. Advertisements in newspapers described the "Cabana Room - A Little Bit of Mexico. Food of the highest quality. Restful atmosphere. Television." Initially, the Cabana Room showcased Latin-American and Continental music, but it later featured jazz, R&B, rock, and folk musicians, including the famous Leonard Cohen. After being owned by one family for 70 years, the Spadina Hotel went into receivership in 1995. Two years later, it was transformed into the Global Village Backpackers Hostel. In 2014, Allied Properties purchased the old hotel, and the hostel was closed. Today, the heritage-designated building is used for retail, office, and commercial space

Past & Present – Part 91

August 11, 1930 – His Majesty's Airship R-100 is seen above the Canadian Bank of Commerce Building, which was the tallest building in the British Empire at that time. The photo was taken from the roof of the TTC headquarters, which was once at the northeast corner of Yonge St and Front St, in a building originally constructed for the Board of Trade. Also, notice the Hotel Victoria, which still stands today

Past & Present – Part 90

Circa 1931- The main façade at the Canadian Bank of Commerce Building at 25 King St W in Toronto

Past & Present – Part 89

1972 - Looking southeast towards Grossman's Tavern at the corner of Spadina Ave and Cecil

Past & Present – Part 88

Between 1939 and 1940 - Tony Lazzeri, Maple Leafs Baseball Club manager from 1939-1940, with Newark Bears player Mr. Nenn at Maple Leaf Stadium

Past & Present – Part 87

Circa 1921 – A car parked in front of the Merchants Bank of Canada, once at 12-16 King St W, just west of Yonge St, in the Financial District of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 86

May 24, 2025 - Revue Theatre at ‪400 Roncesvalles Ave

Past & Present – Part 85

Date unknown – Stratenger's Saloon occupied the former theatre building located at 1130 Queen St E

Past & Present – Part 84

Circa 1918 – A Ford Model T, which was nicknamed the "Tin Lizzie," heading south on Queen's Park Crescent, in front of Queen's Park and the Legislative Building in Toronto

Past & Present – Part 83

August 9, 2025 - Looking north on Queen St E, just east of Beech Ave, towards the Fox Theatre. In late 2022, the theatre updated their marquee

Past & Present – Part 82

Between 1954 and 1960 - Looking northeast toward the Food Building, which featured "The Needle," a stainless steel tower that served as an art installation and location marker. The tower was dismantled in 1975 due to deterioration. A portion of the Horse Palace is also visible in the background

Past & Present – Part 81

1960s – Looking southwest towards Honest Ed’s and its massive neon and bulb-lit sign, once located at 581 Bloor St W, between Bathurst St and Markham St, in the Mirvish Village neighbourhood of Toronto. This discount shopping landmark was opened in 1948 by Ed and Anne Mirvish and closed its doors in 2016. The sign and buildings are gone, and the site is now home to Mirvish Village Apartments

Past & Present – Part 80

1974 – Burtons Mens Clothing and Coles the Book People lightbox and illuminated letter signs once on the southeast corner of Yonge St and Dundas St E in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto. The signs and buildings are long gone; this site is now known as Sankofa Square, previously called Yonge-Dundas Square

Past & Present – Part 79

October 30, 2005 – Looking southeast towards Yasis Place, once at the corner of Wallace Ave and Campbell Ave in the Junction-Wallace Emerson neighbourhood of Toronto. As of May 2025, the window signs remain in place

Past & Present – Part 78

October 18, 2019 – Steaks & Chops Good Food storefront sign was once at 1236 Bloor St W in the Bloordale Village neighbourhood of Toronto. Today, the sign decorates the interior of Duffy's Tavern next door

Past & Present – Part 77

July 9, 1938 – Looking towards the northeast corner of Gerrard St and Yonge St in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto. Along with the many signs, notice the Coca-Cola advertisement for a six-bottle carton priced at 27¢

Past & Present – Part 76

October 3, 1928 – The grocery store, once at the southeast corner of Bay St and Edward St, featured several advertisements on the building, including Coca-Cola, Sellers Gough Fur Company, Christie's Sultanas cookies and Red Rose Tea. The tall building in the right background was the Hotel Ford

Past & Present – Part 75

October 15, 1926 - William Mellis Christie House at the northeast corner of Queen's Park Cres E and St Alban's St, which is today known as Wellesley St W. At the time this photo was taken, the house was sold to the Sisters of St. Joseph for a reported $140,000

Past & Present – Part 74

1972 - Looking northwest towards the corner of King St E and Toronto St. The photo shows when the building was home to the Bacchus Steakhouse Tavern. An arrow points out the location of the terrazzo step

Past & Present – Part 73

1981 - The Coronet Theatre was once located at the northeast corner of Yonge St and Gerrard St E. Notice prices ranged from $3.00 to $3.50

Past & Present – Part 72

Circa 1910 - Gayety Theatre billboard at the northwest corner of Bay St and Adelaide St W (City of Toronto Archives, William James family fonds, Fonds 1244, Item 335)

Past & Present – Part 71

April 24, 2022 – The east-facing wall of 2170 Danforth Ave, features a ghost sign that reads, “Burnett Bros. Butchers – The House of Quality – 1322 Danforth – 318 Danforth.” At the bottom right, there's also the faintly visible text, “Gerrard ??38,” which was an early-style phone number

Past & Present – Part 70

February 1948/January 18, 2025 – El Mocambo is located at 464 Spadina Ave, just south of College St in the Kensington Market neighbourhood of Toronto. In the late 1940s, El Mocambo Tavern emerged as a dining establishment and live music venue. Over the years, it has hosted performances by renowned artists, including The Rolling Stones, Blondie, Richie Havens, Joan Jett, Meatloaf, 38 Special, among numerous others. The vintage photograph also shows Shecter’s Restaurant and the Crescent Grill adjacent to El Mocambo

Past & Present – Part 69

Between 1906 and 1938 – The Capewell Horse Nail Company occupied the Campbell House when the historic house was originally located at Adelaide St E (then known as Duke St) and Frederick St in the Old Town neighbourhood. Note that Adelaide St E, between Jarvis St and Parliament St, was historically referred to as Duke St. Additionally, in 1972, the Campbell House was relocated to its present address at 160 Queen St W, where it now operates as a museum

Past & Present – Part 68

Circa 1920 - Looking northwest on Dufferin St, just south of Bloor St W in the Brockton Village neighbourhood of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 67

Circa 1882 - The southeast corner of Yonge St and Queen St E. Notice the Yonge St signs affixed to the corner of the building

Past & Present – Part 66

November 13, 1920 - Looking southwest towards Queen St W and Bay St in downtown Toronto. The building in the foreground is The Dominion Bank, and the Temple Building is situated behind it

Past & Present – Part 65

1982 – The Canary Restaurant entrance and neon sign at the southeast corner of Front St E and Cherry St in Toronto. The photo also captures Canada Post letter boxes, Toronto Sun, Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail newspaper boxes, along with an old phone booth

Past & Present – Part 64

1929 - The south entrance of the Pure Food Building at Exhibition grounds. The building was one of the most popular at the CNE and was where visitors could sample a variety of food, much of it for free. The building stood at the site of the present-day Food Building until 1953

Past & Present – Part 63

September 20, 2024 - Sam the Record Man spinning record signs are located at 277 Victoria St, overlooking Yonge-Dundas Square/Sankofa Square

Past & Present – Part 62

Circa 1912 - Looking east towards what’s known today as The Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E. The part of Jarvis St was once known as “Millionaires Row” and was where the city’s upper class went to escape the busy downtown

Past & Present – Part 61 Haunted Toronto

November 20, 2021 – Looking northwest towards the former Lombard Street Fire Hall, today home to the College of Makeup Art & Design. The building was designed by architect David Roberts Jr in the Romanesque Revival style and was initially known as the Central Fire Hall. It served as a fire station from 1887 until 1970

Past & Present – Part 60

April 27, 1971 - 12 Alexander St was once home to Toronto Workshop Productions. Today, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre occupies the space

Past & Present – Part 59

May 8, 1943 - Original Toronto Star caption: Saves gasoline for war by getting out 1910 driving buggy. For the first time in many years, Col. R. S. McLaughlin, president of General Motors of Canada, arrives at his Oshawa office without the aid of gasoline. To save fuel for the war Col. McLaughlin has dusted off a high-wheel, drop axle McLaughlin gentleman's light driving wagon-the type his father made before going into the automobile business. The carriage, built in 1910, still has its original tires

Past & Present – Part 58

March 6, 1955 - Firefighters on a fire truck just outside the doors of the Lombard Street station. Notice the "T. F. D. High Pressure Monitor No. 2" on the side of the truck

Past & Present – Part 57

May 25, 1977 – Looking northeast on Jarvis St from south of King St E. The Daniel Brooke Building is in the centre. Built in 1833, the historic structure had been home to many businesses over the decades, including Foy & Austin wholesale and retail grocery store in the mid-1800s. From approximately 1930 to 1987, the building housed the Sportsman's Shop. Notice gas was 82.9¢ a gallon, or about 22¢ a litre

Past & Present – Part 56

1910 - A postcard showing the busy streets in front of the Board of Trade Building

Past & Present – Part 55

June 16, 1980 - Looking southeast toward the construction of Roy Thomson Hall at Simcoe St and King St W in downtown Toronto. The steel-tube framing will support the triangular and diamond-shaped glass that covers the venue

Past & Present – Part 54

1972 – The Spadina Hotel at 460 King St W and Spadina Ave in Toronto. The second storey of the corner building advertises the hotel's nightly entertainment, and a clock was also added. In addition to the Dining Room, Cabana Room, and Hotel Entrance from King St W, there was also a separate Men's Entrance accessible from Spadina Ave

Past & Present – Part 53

1960s - Looking southwest towards Sunnyside Pool

Past & Present – Part 52

1960s - Looking southwest towards Sunnyside Pool

Past & Present – Part 51

Between 1978 and 1980 - Looking southeast along Dundas Sq from Yonge St towards the Hard Rock Cafe, formerly Friar's Tavern in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 50

July 27, 1959 - An aerial view from the 6th floor of the Toronto Hydro Building at 14 Carlton St looking northwest towards excavation for the Westbury Hotel at Wood St and Yonge St. Notice the St Charles Tavern clock tower in the distance

Past & Present – Part 49

1907 - Looking northeast towards the white range lighthouse on the left, "Little Red" in the centre background and the Harbour Master's House on the right on Queen's Wharf, which was once at the foot of Bathurst St

Past & Present – Part 48

April 11, 1953 - Looking northeast towards Lake Shore Blvd W and the Ontario Government Building

Past & Present – Part 47

Between 1976 and 1995 – From behind the former Pretzel Bell Tavern at the northeast corner of Adelaide St W at Simcoe St with the CN Tower in the background

Past & Present – Part 46

April 27, 1977 - George's Spaghetti House at the corner of Dundas St E and Sherbourne St. George's Spaghetti House was a famous jazz club and Italian restaurant

Past & Present – Part 45

March 6, 1950 - Looking north up Yonge St from Dundas St in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto. On the right, notice the Biltmore Theatre, Olympia Bowling & Billiards, Le Coq d'Or Tavern and the Edison Hotel

Past & Present – Part 44

February 15, 1933 - Looking east along Prince Edward Viaduct

Past & Present – Part 43

March 17, 1931 - Snow-cleaning machine on Bay St in front of the Toronto Harbour Commission. Notice the Royal York Hotel in the background

Past & Present – Part 42

1960 – The Royal Canadian Military Institute is located at 426 University Ave

Past & Present – Part 41

2023 – Looking southeast towards the northern entrance of Philosopher's Walk on Bloor St W, located just west of the Royal Ontario Museum on the left and The Royal Conservatory of Music on the right

Past & Present – Part 40

1912 - Professional hockey players at Willowvale Park, now Christie Pits Park

Past & Present – Part 39

1909 - Skaters and workers at Christie Pits, once known as Willowvale Park

Past & Present – Part 38

August 1966 – Telegram Fun Cheque Station on the CNE Midway. Fun Checks were clipped out of the Telegram newspaper and could be exchanged to pay for Midway rides at the Canadian National Exhibition

Past & Present – Part 37

1892 - George Gooderham's mansion at the northeast corner of Bloor St W and St George St. Since approximately 1910, it has been home to The York Club

Past & Present – Part 36

1952 – Looking northeast from Queen St W and Gladstone Ave towards the Gladstone Hotel. Notice the hotel's tower no longer has the cupola, the entrance has an overhang and the Melody Room sign on the building's southeast corner

Past & Present – Part 35

Between 1980 and 1998 – Looking east towards the Ned Hanlan tugboat and Stanley Barracks at Exhibition Place with the CN Tower in the background. The tugboat has been relocated and is on display at Hanlan's Point ferry docks

Past & Present – Part 34

1972 – Looking northwest towards the former St Lawrence Market North located at 92 Front St E, at Jarvis St in the St Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto. Notice the cupola of St Lawrence Hall in the background on the right and the Cathedral Church of St James on the left

Past & Present – Part 33

Circa 1991 – On the Kingsway Theatre marquee, "Map of the Human Heart," starring Jason Scott Lee, Anne Parillaud and Patrick Bergin and "Tous les matins du monde," starring Gérard Depardieu, Jean-Pierre Marielle and Anne Brochet, were playing and released in 1992 and 1991, respectively. Also, nostalgic films on the marquee, "Stage Fright and "Laura"

Past & Present – Part 32

1972 – Looking northeast towards Ed's Warehouse Restaurant at the corner of King St W and Ed Mirvish Way (Duncan St) in the Entertainment District of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 31

1979 – Looking north up Roncesvalles Ave from the intersection of Queen St W, King St W and The Queensway. The Edgewater Hotel's neon sign was perched on the building's southeast corner for decades and was taken down in 2009

Past & Present – Part 30

January 2, 1955 - The Columbia Hotel was once located at 2 Ossington Ave and Queen St W on the northwest corner in the Beaconsfield Village neighbourhood of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 29

1950 - The Barclay Hotel was once located at Front St W and Simcoe St, on the northeast corner in downtown Toronto. It had been previously known as the Grand Union Hotel, then the Hotel Carls-Rite before being renamed Barclay in 1947

Past & Present – Part 28

1920 – The Water Tanks and the Old City Hall Clock Tower. Notice the advertising of Shea's Hippodrome on one of the Water Tanks on the right

Past & Present – Part 27

Circa 1910 - Old City Hall Clock Tower, with the gargoyles

Past & Present – Part 26

Circa 1900 - Looking southwest towards Toronto's first public underground lavatory. It was on the south side of Adelaide St E, at the head of Toronto St in the St Lawrence neighbourhood. Built in 1896, the men-only lavatory was accessed through a one-storey tower located directly in the middle of Toronto St

Past & Present – Part 25

1912 - Looking northeast towards the renovated entrance of the public washroom once in the middle of Toronto St, on the south side of Adelaide St E. In 1908, the lavatory underwent a complete renovation. The tower entrance was replaced with an iron hand railing protecting the stairway, and the ventilation column doubled as an ornamental lamp. Notice the former General Post Office on the left and the Toronto St sign affixed to the still-existing building on the right

Past & Present – Part 24

Circa 1930 - Baker and gas oven at the Christie, Brown & Company Factory

Past & Present – Part 23

1929 - Queen's Wharf Lighthouse is being moved to the new location between Fleet St & Lake Shore Blvd W in the Niagara neighbourhood of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 22

1934 - Belgian horse showing in front of the Coliseum's Annex at Exhibition Place

Past & Present – Part 21

1972 - Looking towards the southeast corner of Cherry St and Front St E. From 1965 until 2007, the Canary Restaurant was located in the heritage-designated building. The building has undergone several additions and alterations throughout its history, which dates back to 1859. Other purposes it served include a school, hotel, factory and storage facility

Past & Present – Part 20

1910 - The Yonge St and Richmond St E corner of the Confederation Life Building is occupied by the Traders' Bank of Canada. This entrance was added to the corner of the building during renovations in 1899

Past & Present – Part 19

1980s – Looking east from Elm St towards A & A Records & Tapes, Thrifty’s and Sam the Record Man on Yonge St. A & A's sign is depicted on the south-facing Yonge Street Music History mural

Past & Present – Part 18

1940s – Looking northwest from Victoria St at the back of Loew's Yonge Street Theatre, today the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre

Past & Present – Part 17

1965 - The Princess Margaret Fountain at the Canadian National Exhibition. The fountain was installed in 1958 and is made of reinforced concrete and steel

Past & Present – Part 16

1970s – The Biltmore Theatre and Tops Restaurant was once located at 319/317 Yonge St, north of Dundas St E on the east side in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto

Past & Present – Part 15

1948 – Odeon Hyland Theatre was once located at 1501 Yonge St

Past & Present – Part 14

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