Bloor Street Viaduct, looking east July 18, 1917 City of Toronto Archives Series 372, Sub-series 10, Item 841
This photograph of the Bloor Street Viaduct under construction was taken by city photographer Arthur Goss. It was used as the cover image for the City of Toronto Archives’ book Toronto’s Visual Legacy, celebrating the city’s 175th anniversary. The viaduct gained fame internationally through Michael Ondaatje’s novel In the Skin of a Lion.
Old Union Station, 1907
Old Union Station City of Toronto Archives 1907 Fonds 1244, Item 99
This image of a previous Union Station was captured by freelance photographer William James. It shows the old Union Station in the heyday of steam locomotion. The station was located west of the present station and was demolished in 1927.
Diving Horse, 1908
Diving horse 1908 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, Item 192
Another William James image catches Toronto’s famous diving horse plunging into Lake Ontario. J.W. Gorman’s horse show was a popular attraction at Hanlan’s Point on Toronto Island.
21 Rear, Elizabeth Street, 1913
21 rear, Elizabeth Street May 15, 1913 City of Toronto Archives Series 372, Sub-series 32, Item 187
Commissioned by the Toronto Health Department, this Arthur Goss photograph was included in a report about the poor state of Toronto’s housing. The property was located in “The Ward,” a notorious slum in the heart of the city. It stood where the Nathan Philips Square ice rink is today. You can see Old City Hall in the background.
Group on Car on Bay Street, 1945
Group on car on Bay Street May 7, 1945 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1266, Item 96241
This shot was captured by John Boyd, a photographer for the Globe and Mail. It was taken on Bay Street on the day Germany unconditionally surrendered to the allies at the end of World War II. The Archives has over 140,000 photographs in the Globe and Mail collection, taken from 1922 to 1953.
Three Firemen, 1910
Three Firemen 1910 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, Item 15
Three members of the Toronto Fire Brigade are shown in this William James image. They are walking down Lansdowne Avenue, north of Davenport Road. Apparently the firemen had to walk half a mile, leaving their fire wagons behind because the wheels could not make it through the mud!
Hunters and Dogs, 1907
Hunters and dogs ca.1907 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, Item 159
This William James photograph shows fox hunters and their hounds cantering over the ravine bridge on Bathurst Street, just north of St. Clair Avenue.
Fishermen in Grenadier Pond, 1939
Fishermen in Grenadier pond July 1939 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1231, Item 629
This rustic scene was taken on the banks of Grenadier Pond in High Park. The pond has been used by anglers since the early nineteenth century. You can still fish in the pond today, as long as you have a licence.
Queen Street Subway Looking East, 1897
Queen Street subway, looking east November 17, 1897 City of Toronto Archives Series 376, File 2, Item 8
Commissioned by the City Engineer’s Department, this photograph shows construction of the “subway” (underpass) at Queen and Dufferin streets. In the background you can see the Gladstone Hotel.
Drinking Fountain at College Street and Spadina Avenue, 1899
Drinking fountain at College Street and Spadina Avenue April 26, 1899 City of Toronto Archives Series 376, File 2, Item 49
Taken by F.W. Micklethwaite, this photograph shows a drinking fountain just south of Spadina Crescent. These drinking fountains were common in Toronto in the late nineteenth century, with a trough for horses, a common cup for people and even a basin for dogs! The Health Department later deemed them a public health hazard and replaced them. One remains on King Street East near St. James Cathedral.
King Street East, South Side Looking West, 1856
King Street East, south side looking west 1856 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1498, Item 1
One of the earliest photographs taken of Toronto, this 150-year-old image shows Toronto’s main commercial thoroughfare at that time, King Street East. In the foreground is The Golden Lion, a dry goods store and one of the city’s most famous retailers. Constructed in 1847, this building was substantially altered and expanded in 1866.
Yonge Street Slip Looking North, 1926
Yonge Street Slip, looking north December 30, 1926 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1231, Item 927
William James’ photograph reminds us of how industrial Toronto’s lakeshore used to be in the early 20th century.
Intersection of Dundas Street and Roncesvalles Avenue Looking South-East, 1912
Intersection of Dundas Street and Roncesvalles Avenue, looking south-east January 19, 1912 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1231, Item 1670
What used to be the Merchant’s Bank of Canada is now a Starbucks. Aside from that, not much has changed in this view.
Greengrocer's on Danforth Avenue, 1930
Greengrocer’s on Danforth Avenue ca. 19306 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, Item 339
This greengrocer’s store would make the Danforth proud today, especially with apples at 15 cents a basket!
Policeman on the Corner of King and Yonge Streets, 1912
Policeman, corner of King and Yonge streets 1912 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, Item 1008
This photograph by William James captures much of the commotion and excitement of one of Toronto’s busiest intersections.
Bathers and Cars in Humber River, 1922
Bathers and cars in Humber River 1922 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, Item 1237
This photograph was taken in those halcyon days when you could not only swim in the Humber River, but also wash your car there too!
Trinity College Gates on Queen Street West, 1916
Trinity College gates, Queen Street West 1916 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, Item 1516
These gates of Trinity College are at the entrance to Trinity Bellwoods Park. The college building itself was demolished. The gates are the only survivors of what was one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada.
Yonge Street, North York Looking South from the Jolly Miller Hotel, 1936
Yonge Street, North York – looking south from Jolly Miller Hotel ca. 1936 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1568, Item 137
Here, Yonge Street in North York appears to be a mere country lane rather than the main arterial route north out of the city. The railway track parallel to the road is a streetcar line that took weekending Torontonians all the way to Lake Simcoe.
Office Building in the Distillery District, 1918
Office building in the Distillery District November 18, 1918 City of Toronto Archives Fonds 1583, Item 143
The Gooderham and Worts Distillery was operated by the largest producers of whisky in the British Empire. The Distillery District now houses shops, cafes and restaurants. It is the largest collection of Victorian industrial buildings in North America, with over 40 heritage buildings. It is a National Historic Site.
Looking East From Kew Beach Fire Station, 1906
Looking east from Kew Beach Fire Station 1906 City of Toronto Archives Series 376, File 5, Item33
The Beach area of Toronto was once “cottage country” for wealthier Torontonians. The structure in the right of the image is the old Kew Beach Public School.