A visual history of Spadina Avenue in Toronto
Although Spadina may not compare to Yonge in terms of importance and length or Jarvis in terms of (former) beauty, Spadina is one of those crucial thoroughfares around which the city developed as it pushed west from the area around the St. Lawrence Market.
Public lavatory, 1890s
Whether on account of its proximity to Casa Loma, the dominant presence of Knox College, the public lavatory at Queen St., or just the wide expanse it cuts through the heart of the city, Spadina is one of those streets for which we have lots of archival photos.
Interior, 1890s
It's also a place that exists as something of a microcosm of the city's history, from the rise of streetcar transportation, to the diversification of Toronto's ethnic population, to the battle to prevent the street from being turned into an expressway in the 1960s, our local heritage can be spotted everywhere along here.
Spadina looking north to College, 1890s
And despite the significant changes that these photos document, Spadina's character has somehow stayed intact over the last century or so.
Waterfountain, Spadina & College 1899
Don't believe me? Compare the view at Queen and Spadina in the 1920s with what you see at the intersection today; you might just get a tinge of excitement over just how close the past seems.
Spadina & College, 1902
Other sections, like the area around U of T, aren't so easily recognizable. As was the case with so many streets in the late 1940s, widening efforts eliminated the tree-lined character of the avenue between College and Bloor streets (north of Bloor, the street name changes to Spadina Road).
Before Casa Loma, 1900s
And the construction of the streetcar right of way (ROW) in the 1990s did away with the diagonal parking that was once a recognizable feature of Spadina's make-up.
Foundation for Casa Loma, 1907
Still, with so many other historical treasures left to be found, there's little point in bemoaning changes that have accompanied development over the years. If they ever tear down Casa Loma, on the other hand, I'll take up arms.
Knox College, 1908
It should be noted that the majority of the images feature Spadina Avenue, but for the sake of comprehensiveness, I've also included plenty that depict areas north of Bloor Street, a.k.a. Spadina Road.
Foot of Spadina, 1910
Spadina looking north from Harbord, 1911
View from Casa Loma, 1914
Spadina & Dupont, 1915
Streetcars were more fun in 1918
Spadina & Queen, 1920
Spadina looking north to Bloor, pre-widening, 1922
Northeast corner of Bloor & Spadina (Scotiabank has deep roots here), 1924
Spadina Bridge, 1925
Spadina Bridge, 1926
Spadina & Front, 1926
Spadina & Queen, 1926
Spadina & Lonsdale (Forest Hill Village), 1927
Looking south to College, 1927
Paving work near Adelaide, 1928
Spadina looking north to St. Clair, 1929
Site of St. Clair Reservoir, 1929
Northeast corner Dundas & Spadina, 1930
Looking south from Casa Loma, 1930 (Royal York Hotel now in the background)
St. Clair Reservoir, 1932
Spadina looking north to Dupont, 1933
Track work north of D'Arcy, 1937
St. Andrew & Spadina, 1938
187-191 Spadina, 1940
Corner of Harbord & Spadina looking east, 1944
Spadina & St. Clair, 1948
Looking north to Bloor, 1948
North from Spadina Crescent, 1948
Different angle
Post-widening, 1949
Spadina looking north to Bloor, post-widening
Spadina between Bloor & Dupont, 1949 ***
Spadina looking south at Lowther, 1949
Slides from the National Archives, 1957
Slides from the National Archives, 1957
Bloor & Spadina, 1960s
Victory Burlesque, Spadina & Dundas (NE corner, building still standing), 1960s
Spadina Expressway (now Allen Road) at Lawrence, 1963
Knox College, 1980s
Spadina & Harbord, 1990s
Spadina & Dundas, date unknown
The El Mocambo Tavern, date unknown
Chinatown, date unknown
And, this post wouldn't be complete without... The Spadina Bus.
the Toronto Archives unless otherwise noted
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