City
Nostalgia Tripping Through the Toronto of the 1970s and 80s
As I've mentioned before, I'm often struck by profound nostalgia for the Toronto of the 1970s and 80s. Without getting overly self-analytical, this is no doubt a manifestation of my (false) belief that things must have been easier or better when I was a youngster. Despite my efforts to remain critically vigilant against the seduction of nostalgia, I often cave in and indulge the desire to go "home" again.
Sometimes an episode of Degrassi Junior High or early Street Legal will do it. But, being a lover of photography, it's old images of the city that really drive my crank.
For the past little bit, I've been cruising the threads at Urban Toronto to get my fill of archival photographs. But, having exhausted this source, I decided that a bit more searching was in order.
Enter the Wikimedia Commons. Once one starts blogging, a certain vanity compels him to share much of his interests and pursuits with others who he presumes are interested. So instead of just perusing the Commons for my own viewing pleasure, I decided that I would post my findings.
So, allow me to present a few of the images that I liked. The pool of 70s and 80s stuff is actually pretty small at the Commons, so I'll be looking to find more of this content in the near future.
Enjoy!
Before the dawn of street meat (?), 1984:
City Hall and Toronto (not that different), 1975:
CN Tower footings, 1973:
CN Tower construction, 1975:
Trains and (sparse) skyline, 1970:
Toronto skyline at night, 1975:
The (real) red rocket, 1971:
The Toronto Star building is a far more prominent feature on Toronto's skyline in 1976:
Many thanks to Robert Taylor for his photos featuring the CN Tower and trains as well as that of City Hall, Mister Frankfurter, and the Toronto Star building; and to Frank Denardo for the TTC shots.
Discussion
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I recognize the Gerrard Medical clinic. Loved the pre-CN tower photos.
I didn't know it was literally a red rocket too, that's awesome!
I wish we would return to cobble stone streets.
its a great way to see how toronto has evolved throughout the century, and its really fun to search the database and find out the history, and see some pictures of your house, school, street, etc.
or b.) go to the toronto archives building at spadina and dupont, but beware, you could spend an entire day there, its fascinating.
:)
I loved those Gloucester red subway cars and the red & cream buses. Even though the subway cars weren't flush with the platform, they were still really cool. Windows that opened, and pull-down handles.
Thanks for taking me back.
http://www.blogto.com/music/2007/04/get_on_the_bus_help_tell_the_shuffle_demons_story/
Here's a link to the Coxwell/Gerrard corner... indeed the houses are still there :)
http://tiny.cc/FHotR
I think you'd find it quite revealing--particularly
seeing some of the old buildings that are now gone.
Even phots of Parkdale in the '50s would show you
some beautiful stately homes with manicured lawns.
Quite the change from today!
http://ow.ly/1boVM
Trying to figure out the street based on the angle from pic #7
Ya gotta make this a regular article.
Except the windows on those old streetcars were a real bitch to open and close.
http://transit.toronto.on.ca/streetcar/4509.shtml
Loved the pictures. I remember seeing the final bit put on top of the CN Tower by a large helicopter.
I agree, Toronto was a better place to live during the 1970's and I am constantly going back to thoughts of the old neighbourhood in my mind. (South Riverdale) We used to sleep with our doors unlocked and we actually went outside to "play" from daylight to dark and rarely worried about strangers lurking in the dark.
I could go on for days about growing up in Toronto during the seventies and eighties that is for sure and due to my constant thoughts of retro Toronto, I've created a blog at indiedocfilmmaker.blogspot.com. It is very new so please bare with me while I get it up and running.
Thanks for the memoires and keep up the good work
That bus picture also brought back memories... makes me wonder why the exterior had to change so much. i understand making buses more accessible, efficient, etc. but that front end just... looks cooler! And the colours are so much more interesting than the current black/red/white scheme.
Do you remember the yellow police cars? That really set the city apart from others, although apparently there was a high lead content in the paint...
And one more detail... the Zenith sign, promoting "colour TV"!! Yes, i'm just old enough to remember b&w sets, although was lucky enough never to have one in our house (first on our block with that and the microwave oven)...
Yeah, it probably wasn't "better" but these images certainly tweak some strange nerve in this 40 year old brain...
peace