This is my final post of the year on this blog. The total number of hits on this blog during 2012 was 26,000. I hope that during the past year, a few Torontonians have viewed the city though different eyes and appreciated anew the many interesting buildings that Toronto possesses. Obviously my opinion is prejudiced, but I truly believe that our city is one of the best urban areas in the world to call home. Its past is rich, and its future is promising. I never tire of researching its yesteryears and photographing its many fascinating streets and historic structures.
It is fitting that my final post should be about snow. Downtown Toronto was transformed during the final week of December this year. It was the first time in over two years that the city experienced an accumulation of snow that lasted more than a day or two. Some of the historic buildings appeared quite different when surrounded by a wreath of white. Below are a few of my favourite pictures taken of the city’s iconic buildings during December of 2012.
Metropolitan United Church in McGill Square on Queen Street East
Toronto’s New City Hall on Queen Street West
The grounds of Osgoode Hall, its east wing dating from 1829, with the 1899 Romanesque City Hall and clock tower in the background
South facade of Osgoode Hall on Queen Street near York Street.
The Art Deco 1929-1931 Canada Life Building on University Avenue
The 1867 cast iron fence of Osgoode Hall
The 1821 Campbell House at the corner of University Avenue and Queen Street West.
The Grange, the 1817 home of D’Arsy Boulton Jr. located at the rear of the AGO. It was Toronto’s first art gallery
The Black Bull Tavern at 298 Queen West, at Soho Streets, established in 1822.
The Tower of the 1844 St. George the Martyr Anglican Church on John Street
To view other posts about Toronto’s past and its historic buildings:
Toronto’s Draper Street, a time-tunnel into the 19th century
The Black Bull Tavern at Queen and Soho Streets, established in 1822
History of the 1867 fence around Osgoode Hall on Queen Street West at York Street
Gathering around the radio as a child in the 1940s
The opening of the University Theatre on Bloor Street, west of Bay St.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/02/24/the-opening-of-torontos-university-theatre-on-bloor-street/
122 persons perish in the Noronic Disaster on Toronto’s waterfront in 1949
Historic Victoria Memorial Square where Toronto’s first cemetery was located, now hidden amid the Entertainment District
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/01/09/victoria-square-in-torontos-entertainment-district-is-a-gem/
Visiting one of Toronto’s best preserved 19th-century streets-Willcocks Avenue
The Backpackers’ Hotel at Spadina and King St. West
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/03/31/history-of-the-backpackers-hotel-at-king-and-spadina/
The 1930s Water Maintenance Building on Brant Street, north of St. Andrew’s Park
Toronto’s architectural gems-photos of the Old City from a book published by the city in 1912
Toronto’s architectural gems in 1912
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/04/torontos-architectural-gems-in-1912/
Toronto’s architectural gems – the bank on the northeast corner of Queen West and Spadina
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/02/torontos-architectural-gemsbank-at-spadina-and-queen-west/
Military hero of the War of 1812 lived near corner of Spadina and Queen West.
Photos of the surroundings of the CN Tower and and the St. Lawrence Market in 1977
The old Dominion Bank Building at King and Yonge Street
The Canada Life Building on University and Queen Street West.
Campbell House at the corner of Queen Street West and University Avenue
A study of Osgoode Hall
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/04/12/enjoying-torontos-architectural-gems-osgoode-hall/
Toronto’s first City Hall, now a part of the St. Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Hall on King Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/04/28/enjoying-torontos-architectural-gems-the-st-lawrence-hall/
Toronto’s streetcars through the past decades
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/03/26/memories-of-torontos-streetcars-of-yesteryear/
History of Trinity Bellwoods Park
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/04/09/the-history-and-beauty-of-trinity-bellwood-park/
A history of Toronto’s famous ferry boats to the Toronto Islands
Toronto’s Old City Hall at Bay and Queen Streets
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/04/22/enjoying-torontos-architectural-gems-old-city-hall/
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