Looking west towards Yonge St from Shuter St, in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto.
The archive photo shows a man walking by the side of the Rialto Theatre, which features posters for The Eye of God, a silent mystery film released in 1916, starring Tyrone Power Sr. and Lois Weber. The building that once housed the theatre was constructed in 1886 and is known as the John E. Thompson Block. Initially, it housed a clothing shop, and by the late 1890s, it became home to the Yonge Street Mission until 1904. Later, it served as another clothing store before transforming into the Hippodrome and Casino twin theatres in 1907. It operated as the Rialto Theatre from 1916 to 1919. After the theatre closed, the building reverted to retail and commercial space, undergoing alterations for various tenants over the years. This heritage-designated building has been home to Catto’s Dry Goods, Adams Furniture, a bookstore, Pier 1 Imports, a drug store, Tangerine Bank, and more.
Another notable feature in the vintage photo is the piano manufacturing company, Mason & Risch Ltd., located across the street from the theatre. Today, this area is home to the Eaton Centre.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 221 Yonge St
- Heritage Toronto
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory, courtesy of Toronto Public Library
