Toronto events!!!

Toronto Fun Parties

Friday, October 9, 2020

This is what Toronto looked like in the 1870s

Toronto of the 1870s is a surprisingly well documented decade.

Thanks in large part to the photography firm of Notman & Fraser, much of the city's business district - which was then located to the east of Yonge Street - was captured in a series of 1872 photographs called "The Commercial Houses of Toronto."

Notman Fraser Commercial Houses of Toronto

Notman & Fraser's Commercial Houses of Toronto.

Consisting of 34 images, this collection is quite the reminder of our town's rather humble roots.

Notman Fraser Commercial Houses of Toronto

Notman & Fraser's Commercial Houses of Toronto.

Perhaps equally as important from an archival standpoint is a Bird's Eye Map from the decade (specific date unknown).

toronto map 1870

A Bird's Eye map of Toronto during the 1870s.

It offers the ability to rather quickly pick out some of the structures that remain in the city to this day, including Knox and University College, St. Michael's Cathedral and the Metropolitan Church, Osgoode Hall, and what is now known as the Distillery District.

Bank of Upper Canada

The Bank of Upper Canada.

Particularly interesting in the case of the latter is the explanation the map offers as to why the "Stone Distillery Complex" sits on an angle in relation to the other buildings: it originally hugged the shoreline of Lake Ontario.

Toronto 1875

Toronto from the Island in 1875.

I tend to find little discoveries like this fascinating, and there's even more to be had when looking at this detailed map.

Crystal Palace Toronto

The Crystal Palace.

Case in point: if you've ever wondered just how prominent the Garrison Creek/Ravine was, this'll give you a good indication. It's even possible to spot a bridge over the now buried river (note: the Crawford Street Bridge was not built until 1915).

The Toronto Stock Exchange

The Toronto Stock Exchange.

The Bird's Eye Map does, of course, also allow you to take a look at some of the structures that have been lost over the years.

Front St Toronto 1876

Front St. in 1876.

I think in particular here of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, Trinity College, Old Union Station and the Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women (although the list could go on).

New Grand Opera House Toronto

The (then) New Grand Opera House.

What was Toronto like in the 1870s?

Toronto 1870

Toronto looking north from Union Station.

Well, the streets were indeed muddy, horse-drawn streetcars were in short supply but common enough, and electric lamps and telephone poles were yet to be a feature on city streets.

Rossin House Hotel Toronto

A promotional pamphlet for the Rossin House Hotel.

Toronto's population was primarily Protestant (70 per cent or so), the Nine Hour Movement took place (to cut an hour off each day of the work week), and St. James Cathedral was the tallest building on the skyline.

Here is a selection of additional images from the fascinating collection of Notman & Fraser's Commerical Houses of Toronto.

Notman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of Toronto2011117-KingEastfromChurch.jpgNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontogNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of TorontoNotman Fraser Commerical Houses of Toronto


by Derek Flack via blogTO

2 comments:

  1. Do you need Finance? Are you looking for Finance? Are you looking for finance to enlarge your business? We help individuals and companies to obtain finance for business expanding and to setup a new business ranging any amount. Get finance at affordable interest rate of 3%, Do you need this finance for business and to clear your bills? Then send us an email now for more information contact us now via (financialserviceoffer876@gmail.com) whats-App +918929509036 Dr James Eric Finance Pvt Ltd Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. לפעמים גברים עם הפרעות זיקפה מסתירים עובדה זו. ואין להם על מה להתלונן. השאלה הזו היא די אישית ועדינה. האם אתה רוצה להיפטר מהמחלה הזו? נסו את לויטרה 20 מ"ג מחיר והיו בטוחים שתצליחו.

    ReplyDelete