Wednesday, November 30, 2011

John Abel/Abel Street/Then and Now



Built in the 1880's the John Abel Factory on Abel Street built a variety of steam engines, Threshing machines and machine parts.
One of his most famous threshers, The Toronto Advance.
For more on the life and times of John Abel, click here.
2010.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Fairbank/Then and Now


Dufferin and Lawrence/Then and Now

The S/E corner in the mid 1950's.
2010.
A little further south, still the east side of Dufferin.

Fairbank/Then and Now



The original site of Fairbank Lumber on the east side of Dufferin, in the town of Fairbank.

Dufferin and Stayner/Then and Now


Dufferin and Eglinton/Then and Now

The intersection of Dufferin and Eglinton looking S/E as it appeared in the mid 1950's.
2010 and Vaughan Road no longer intersects.

Fairbank/Then and Now

The outskirts of Fairbank in 1911. Harvie Ave on the left and Nairn on the right.
Taken from the crest of Hatherley Road.
An approximate current view.
This little house appears to be the same as the one circled in the first photo.
The chimney is the clue.

The Fairbank Fire Hall at Vaughan at Greyton Cres.
Now a little parkette.

Loblaws at Eglinton and Laird

The S/W corner in the mid 1950's.

Yonge and Eglinton/Then and Now

Looking south down Yonge towards Eglinton in 1956 or so.
Note the Fran's restaurant and the Woolworth's.
A similar current view.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Eglinton and Laird/Then and Now

A selection of photos taken in 1955 prior to the widening of Eglinton East.




Yonge and Castlefield/Then and Now

Yonge and Castlefield in 1922. The original unassuming facade of the Capitol Theatre (built 1918). Theatres would often have the lobby on the more expensive retail land (Yonge) with the theatre located behind. This was the case with Loew's stacked theatre at Yonge and Queen.
The film playing is the 1921 silent version of Cappy Ricks.
Eleven years later and the block's been filled in, including an impressive new marquee for the theatre.
Now it's the Capitol Event Theatre.
The S/W corner in 1922 with the theatre in the B/G.
A Dominion Tire Store.
The Dominion Tire factory in Kitchener (then Berlin) in 1914.
A historic slideshow of the factory can be seen here.
2010.
This old house remains across the street.

Dufferin and Schell/The and Now

The west side of Dufferin looking south from Schell Ave. in the early 60's. This area was originally a small town by the name of Fairbank. The Fairglen Dairy can be seen in the distance.
A brief history of the town can be found here.

A similar view in 2010.
The Fairglen Dairy on Dufferin looking north from Bowie Ave.
2010.