Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

There was a time when neighbourhood movie theatres were prevalent in communities across Toronto. However, these small local movie houses began disappearing, in part due to the advent of television and as a result of the opening of new, large multiplex theatres in the 1970s. Today only a few "nabes" remain in Toronto.

Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

During the Great War (1914 -1918), Canadian men and women participated in the war effort, both overseas and on the homefront. Patriotism ran high across the country and in Toronto's many neighbourhoods. Earlscourt located at St. Clair and Dufferin was reported to have the greatest proportion of men fighting in the war than any other area in Canada. This was partly due to recent immigration from British Isles. The hard working immigrants living there were still loyal to the Crown, despite having left for a better life in Canada.

Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

Located on the grounds of York University's Keele Campus stands an old home built for pioneers Jacob and Sarah Stong. Jacob Stong was a noted livestock judge, Justice of the Peace, and member of the York Pioneer Historical Society. He was born in 1821, the son of Daniel Stong who had large property holdings in York County. In 1816 Daniel began farming in Lot 25 that extended from what is today Keele to Jane streets along the south side of Steeles Avenue West.

Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

Seen here is the front verandah that belonged to a once sprawling estate, originally known as Wickham Lodge. Built in the 1840s, this elegant villa was the home of James Buchanan Macaulay, a prominent figure in Toronto society who took on several careers including militia officer, judge, lawyer and politician. Named after a small village in England where Macaulay's relatives lived, Wickham Lodge was located on a 10 acre parcel of land south of today's College Street, in between Yonge and Teraulay Street (now Bay). The two storey brick home featuring an elegant porch was designed in the Regency style, a trend that was in vogue in Ontario largely from 1820-1860.

Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

The home of Dr. Moorhouse at Dundas and Spadina reminds us of a time when Spadina Avenue was a picturesque residential street. Spadina was laid out by doctor, lawyer, and judge William Warren Baldwin who owned an estate above the ridge at Davenport Road called Spadina. He laid out Spadina Avenue in the early 1800s once commenting: "I have cut an avenue through the woods all the way so that we can see the vessels passing up and down the bay." The street's original double width of 132 feet set it apart from most other streets in Toronto, a character that largely remains today.

Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

Some books have dated this image from 1866. Judging by the clothing, the bicycle, the street paved with cobblestones, and the fact that cameras and film at that time were simply not capable of capturing the couple in motion strolling down Yonge Street, that date is incorrect. It was probably photographed around the turn of the 20th century and shows the north end of the Great Western station, which before the passenger trains were transferred to Union Station in 1882, included separate waiting rooms for men and women, a telegraph office and a refreshment room.

Research by Derek Boles
Photo research by Gary Switzer of MOD Developments  

Original Photo: 

This photo is part of a partnership between Urban Toronto as part of "Heritage Toronto Mondays".

This photo shows a snapshot of daily life on the northeast and southeast corners of Yonge and Bloor in 1926. Here, people can be seen shopping, walking, and waiting for the streetcar to take them along Bloor. Sadly the streetcar line has vanished and not one structure remains.