people

From Flickr: “Zion Congregational Church (1840-1855), Adelaide St. W., n.e. corner Bay St.” by Toronto Public Library Special Collections

This painting by Martin Henry (1931-1902) depicts the Zion Congregational Church, which stood on the north-east the corner of Bay and Adelaide from 1840 until it burnt down in February of 1855. Bit of bad luck, eh? You can also see their neighbours, the fire hall, on the southeast corner Read More →

From Flickr: “Yonge St., S. Of King St., looking s. from n. of Wellington St.” by Toronto Public Library Special Collections

Winter on Yonge St. in the 1870s looks just as cold as it does now! Fewer cars, more horses, perhaps… and electric lights replaced both types of gas streetlights you see here, at the intersection of Yonge and King. The advertisement (which used to be painted directly on the buildings) Read More →

From Flickr: “Yonge St., Queen to College Sts., looking n. from Queen St.” by Toronto Public Library Special Collections

Yonge Street, 1888, looking north from Queen St: this stretch pretty much always a vital part of the city. Before the Great Toronto fire of 1904, most of the buildings in the downtown core stood no more than 3 or 4 storeys. A horse-drawn streetcar plods along the dirt road, Read More →

From Flickr: “King St. E., E. of Jarvis St., s.w. cor. Frederick St.” by Toronto Public Library Special Collections

This 1885 image shows a shop that stood on the south-west corner of King and Frederick streets, just east of Jarvis. Walter J. Sylvester’s grocery, at 213 King Street East, and William Christie’s harness-making shop (211) are pictured here. Other local businesses in the area included a hotel, dry goods, Read More →