Although the precise history of the original four sets of photographs is not known, it is certain that the pictures were intended to accompany Toronto’s submission to the Colonial Office to promote its selection as the capital of the Province of Canada. However, all this effort was for naught, as Queen Victoria likely never saw the photographs or maps included with the submissions, and in the end it was decided that Ottawa should be Canada’s capital.

Regardless, it is fortunate for us that at least two of the sets of photographs taken by Armstrong, Beere and Hime have survived. All of the pictures are fascinating, but the images that were taken from the roof of the Rossin House Hotel will be particularly interesting to those reading Michael Redhill’s novel Consolation. Readers will recall that the photographer in the novel, Jem Hallem, also took his panoramic views of Toronto from the very same roof.

 

Toronto from the top of the Rossin House Hotel, looking west
Toronto from the top of the Rossin House Hotel, looking north-west
Toronto from the top of the Rossin House Hotel, looking north-west
Toronto from the top of the Rossin House Hotel, looking north

Toronto from the top of the Rossin House Hotel
[1856 or 1857]
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1498, Items 13-16

 

The five-part panorama shows a view from York Street east to Bay Street.

 

Looking north from roof of Rossin HOuse Hotel
Looking north-west from roof of Rossin House Hotel

 

Looking north-west from roof of Rossin House Hotel
King Street East looking east
Looking south-east from roof of Rossin House Hotel

Toronto from the top of the Rossin House Hotel
[1856 or 1857]
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1498, Items 17-21

 

The three-part panorama shows the view south toward Toronto harbour and the railway tracks.

 

Lookng south-east from roof of Rossin House Hotel
Looking south from the roof of the Rossin House Hotel
Looking south-west from the roof of the Rossin House Hotel

Toronto from the top of the Rossin House Hotel
[1856 or 1857]
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1498, Items 22-24

 

Looking south-west from the roof of the Rossin House Hotel

This final image taken from the roof of the Rossin House was not part of the panoramas, but instead was taken on its own to show the view looking south-west.

 

Toronto from the top of the Rossin House Hotel: looking south-west
[1856 or 1857]
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1498, Item 25

 

1857 map of Toronto between Dufferin, Bloor, and the Don River

This 1857 map of Toronto highlights the important landmarks of the era, including those buildings that were photographed by Armstrong, Beere and Hime between November 1856 and February 1857.

 

 

Plan of the City of Toronto, Canada West 1857
1857
J. Ellis, Lithographer and Fleming, Rideout and Schreiber, Publishers
City of Toronto Archives
Series 88, Item 13

 

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