The 1950s were a time of profound change for Toronto. In the boom decade following the second world war, the city built its first subway line under Yonge Street, welded together its downtown expressway, and created new downtown land by infilling south of Front St.
1954 was a particularly big year: The provincial act that created Metropolitan Toronto, the now defunct senior level of government, took effect in January, Toronto opened its subway in March, Marilyn Bell became the first person to swim across Lake Ontario in September, and Hurricane Hazel caused widespread destruction in October.
In short, the 1950s were an exciting time. Here's a look at the decade in photos.
Toronto when the Royal York Hotel and Commerce Court still ruled the skyline.
The Toronto skyline from the Port Lands with a Mitsui Line ship at the docks.
The Redpath sugar factory under construction on the waterfront.
Malton Airport before the construction of Aeroquay One and its renaming for former prime minister and Nobel Prize for Peace winner Lester B. Pearson.
A colourized view down University Ave. when the median still had grass.
Front Street outside Union Station when it was a 5-lane street.
Looking up Yonge Street from just south of Richmond. That's an S. S. Kresge store on the left.
"Bertie the Brain," arguably the world's first arcade game, at the CNE in 1950.
Construction of the replacement Dufferin Gate at the CNE in 1959. The old one was knocked down to allow for construction of the Gardiner Expressway the year before.
The Joy Theatre (formerly the Rex Theatre) in 1956.
Men line up outside the Lux Burlesque theatre in the late 50s.
The Maple Leafs battle it out against the Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens in the late 1950s. The Leafs goalie is Johnny Bower and the two visible Hawks defencemen are Ron Murphy (#10) and Eric Nesterenko (#15,) according to Wikipedia.
Marilyn Bell and a support board during a Juan de Fuca practise swim in 1956.
Marilyn Bell with trainer Gus Ryder after successfully swimming the English Channel.
The reception for Marilyn Bell outside City Hall after Channel swim in 1955.
A man, woman, and dog abandon their home by boat in deep flood waters in the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel.
A woman wades through waist deep water following Hurricane Hazel.
Queen Elizabeth II during a royal visit to Toronto in 1959.
Office building under construction at the southeast corner of Yonge and Bathurst circa 1953.
Power Supermarket on Eglinton Ave. around 1955.
The 401--then the Toronto Bypass--near Midland when it was a four lane road.
A traffic-free Gardiner Expressway shortly after its opening in 1959.
Gardiner Expressway construction and huts beneath.
An empty Gardiner Expressway looking towards downtown. Contrast with the same view today.
An unidentified man contemplates the Gardiner Expressway bridge over the Humber River in 1955.
A PCC streetcar on Bloor outside the University Theatre. The building was mostly demolished (except for the facade) in the 1980s. It's now a Pottery Barn.
A Peter Witt streetcar on Queen near the Russell yard. The model last ran in Toronto in 1965.
The first Yonge line train leaves Davisville station in 1954.
Toronto Mayor Allan A. Lamport (centre) and Metro Chairman Frederick G. Gardiner (second from right) at official opening of Yonge Street subway, 1954.
A new Toronto subway car on a section of temporary track.
A bright red Gloucester subway train at Eglinton station.
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Images: City of Toronto Archives (as marked,) Toronto Public Library, and public domain.
by Chris Bateman via blogTO
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