Monday, April 9, 2012

The Windsor Arms/Then and Now

The Windsor Arms sometime in the 1960's.
2010.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Superman Rights for $130.00


In 1938 Detective Comics purchased the rights to Superman from his creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster for $130. This check is now on the auction block and the current high bid is $45,500.

Weston Road and Gunn Road/Then and Now

What is the story of this building on Weston Road at Gunn? I suspect that it's an old inn but have no proof...It's beem ABC lumber since I can remember but it's shape and location would lead me to believe it was built as a half way house.
Seen here in 1920 or so.

Weston Road and John/Then and Now

The N/E corner of Weston Road and John Street in 1906. When a Bank of British North America branch was being constructed.
2010.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

King and Bathurst/Then and Now

Originally built as the International Harvester Showroom, this classic example of Art Moderne or Streamline architecture has managed to survive by re inventing itself through the years.
In the 1980's it was home to Crangle's Collision. Photo by Patrick Cummins.
Even Google maps are now a historic record of the past. This capture from 2010 shows the Thompson Hotel under construction that incorporated the old showroom as their new 24 diner, Counter.


1980 or so by Patrick Cummins
2010.
Rick McGinnis was right and a little research found this postcard of a twin of sorts on Weston Road when it was a Lyon's Furniture store circa 1950.
2010.

More Vintage Motorcycles



Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Queen and MacDonnell/Then and Now

The north side of Queen east of Macdonnell in 1898.
1988 courtesy of Patrick Cummins.

2010.
1988. I was living in the apartment above BB Shoes when Patrick Cummins took this shot.
2010.

Queen and Bathurst/Then and Now

The south side of Queen just west of the corner in the mid 1980's. The Paddock Tavern used to wrap around the corner with another entrance on Bathurst. I don't know when it was truncated. Photo by Patrick Cummins.
2010.
The front of the Holiday Tavern looking west across Bathurst with the
Paddock Tavern in the B/G sometime in the 1960's.

Queen and Portland/Then and Now

The north side of Queen at Portland in the early 1980's.
Photo by Patrick Cummins.
This strip of Queen still had a strong Eastern European presence back then.
I remember that the owner of this used book store (previously located further east on Queen) got onto some trouble for inappropriate behaviour....
An even earlier photo from 1958 can be found here.
2010.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Gravenhurst Gas/Art Moderne

An interesting Art Deco gas station in Gravenhurst, Ontario.
Perhaps it's a former B/A (British American) dealership.

Here's a survivor on Davenport at the top of Ossington.

Roy's Automotive Queen West/Then and Now

924 Queen West in 1984 by Patrick Cummins.
2010.

Bathurst and Lennox/Then and Now

The N/E corner of Bathurst and Lennox as seen by Patrick Cummins in 1984.
2010 and the original building remains buried underneath the make over.

Stewart Street/Then and Now

The north side of Stewart St. looking west from Portland 1913. A row of worker's cottages.
These were in turn replaced by this Art Deco apartment in the 1930's.
The small church on the left which had served the soldiers at Fort York was torn down about 8 years ago.
Photos by Patrick Cummins 1983.
2010, a different type of workers cottage/apartment.
There was time when the average working person could afford to buy their own home, even if it was a small row house. Now people are lucky to afford a 500 square foot box to call their own without the luxury of land ownership.
This is progress?

Bathurst and Queen/Then and Now

The west side of BAthurst just south of the Paddock as shot by Patrick Cummins in 1984.
A classic example of Art Moderne or Streamline style. Later the office section operated as a speakeasy.
It was replaced by this in the early 1990's.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Queen and Manning/Then and Now

Patrick Cummins has been documenting the evolution of this corner since 1979 and I'm glad he did. Queen Street was once lousy (amply supplied) with small diners. As tastes change they've disappeared one by one.

2012
For a much earlier look at this building click here.