Original Photo: 

Stretching from Queen Street to Gould, Bond is a short street that's rich with history. Bond started to take shape in the 1840's when the former property of Captain John McGill was subdivided. Soon after, when Bond became residential, a home was built for Toronto's former first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie. His Greek Revival style row house, though covered with trees in this photo, still stands on the west side of the street, near Dundas, operating as the Mackenzie House Museum.

Bond Street also became home to several religious structures. In the foreground of this late 1800's photograph is the Metropolitan Wesleyan Methodist Church. Often referred to as the "Cathedral of Methodism" this church structure was almost completely destroyed during a 1928 fire. By that time, the church had evolved in the Metropolitan United Church, and a new structure was subsequently built at the same location that today services many downtown communities.

In the background stands St. Michael's Cathedral at the corner of Bond and Shuter. Dripping with 14th century Gothic elements, St. Michael's was designed by well known architect, William Thomas, opening in 1848.

At the summit of the street, just barely within sight, is the Normal and Model Schools, established by Egerton Ryerson, and erected in the 1850's. Dominating this site today are Ryerson University buildings, and a statue dedicated to Egerton Ryerson, often called the founder of Ontario's educational system.

Research by Maya Bilbao

Sources:

www.metunited.org

http://www.stmichaelscathedral.com/

Book: Lost Toronto, article on Normal and Model Schools, p. 118.

Ryerson Polytechnical Institute plaque