DSCN1095

This photo of Sunnyside Beach was taken in July of 2011. Viewing the site today, it is difficult to imagine that from the 1922 until the 1950s, this was Toronto’s most popular bathing area and the site of the city’s main amusement park. From the May 24th-weekend until Labour Day, crowds descended on Sunnyside to stroll along the boardwalk, splash in the lake, enjoy the amusement rides, and consume the fat-laden treats at the food stands. It was a magical world. After Sunnyside was demolished, nothing was ever built to equal it.

Sunnyside possessed a long history that preceded its days an an amusement centre. In centuries past, along the shoreline where Sunnyside was later built, Indians gathered to trade furs with the French. In 1813, when the Americans invaded Upper Canada, during the War of 1812, their fleet came ashore at Sunnyside, and then proceeded eastward to attack Fort York, where the British garrison for the town of York was located. During the early decades of the 20th century, as the city expanded westward, Sunnyside became a popular area for bathing.

f1231_it0540[1] 1922

The newly paved and widened Lakeshore Boulevard, gazing west, early in the morning on August 3, 1922. This photo was taken the year Sunnyside opened to the public. In the background is the new Bathing Pavilion, which commenced its life the same year the photo was taken. This building remains on the site today.

DSCN1108

The south facade of the Bathing Pavilion in 2014, facing the sandy beach and waters of the lake.

DSCN1112

  The north side of the Bathing Pavilion at Sunnyside, beside the boardwalk.

fonds 1266, Globe and Mail fonds

                                          Strollers on the boardwalk in 1922.

s0372_ss0070_it0267-es[1] Palais Royale 1931

This was the only photo of the Palais Royale I was able to locate in the City of Toronto Archives. It was taken on the occasion of the ninth annual convention of the International Association of Street Sanitation Officials, in October of 1928.

Palais_Royale_1930s[1]

  Palais Royale in the 1930s (photo from the internet). The basement level that once housed Walter Dean’s Boat Factory can be seen.

image

                     Palais Royale in 2014. An addition can be seen at the rear of the building.

DSCN1092

In this modern photo, the east-bound lanes of the Lakeshore Boulevard can seen on the left-hand corner of the picture, and the west-bound lanes on the far right. The land in between the lanes is the parking lot of the Palais Royale. In the 1920s, the amusement rides and food stands of Sunnyside were located on the site of the parking lot. The modern St. Joseph’s Hospital is in the extreme upper-right corner of the photo.

Other photos that portray a history of Sunnyside

queenlookingtoroncy[1] 1922

Gazing east along the south side of Queen Street, where it intersects with King and Roncesvalles. The Sunnyside Railway station can be seen in the distance. This photo was taken in 1922, the year that Sunnyside officially opened. Many people arrived on the Queen streetcars, and walked from this intersection, over the bridge, and down the stairs to Sunnyside.

s0372_ss0031_it0018[1]  1923

A photo taken 30 August 1923, looking northeast to the bridge near Queen/King and Roncesvalles. The bridge crosses over the railway tracks that separated Sunnyside from the streets above the embankment.

s0372_ss0031_it0011[1] 1923  1923

View from under the bridge on 30 August 1923. This is the same bridge as the previous photo. Behind the bridge can be seen the Sunnyside rollercoaster.

c. 1924

                                Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion and beach in 1924

DSCN7747

                   A 1920s postcard of the Children’s Garden, near the Bathing Pavilion

Series 372, Subseries 34 - Humber bridge photographs

The Palace Pier under construction in July of 1931. It was beside the lake, on the east bank of the Humber River. The pier extended out into the lake and was an important attraction at Sunnyside for several decades. It has since been demolished and Palace Pier Condominium is on the site.

f1231_it1962[1]  1931 Palace Pier

This photo was taken in October of 1931. The Palace Pier is nearing completion and can be seen on the left of the picture. The new bridge over the Humber River, being built to accommodate the Lakeshore Boulevard, is also visible, as well as the old iron bridge. The flat-roofed building beside the new bridge, on its north side, is Jeckle’s Boat House.

.Fonds 200, Series 372, Subseries 41 - Miscellaneous photographs

The beach and the schooner the Julia B. Merrell, in August of 1931. During the late 1920s and 1930s, old sailing vessels were often burnt in the evenings after dark. It was an attempt to attract crowds to Sunnyside.

thumbnailImage[1] Burning of S.S. John Hanlan, 1929

                  The burning of the S.S. John Hanlan at Sunnyside on July 19, 1929.

f1257_s1057_it0092[1]

View of the Sunnyside Swimming Pool in the 1940s, looking east. The Bathing Pavilion is to the west of the pool, and not visible in this picture.

I am grateful to the City of Toronto Archives for the photos employed in this post.

Related Posts

4 thoughts on “A pictorial journey to Toronto’s old Sunnyside Beach-1922 to 1955

  1. Greetings! Thank you for your lovely writings. I wonder if you could help me find some info for my mother. She remembers Sunnyside Beach fondly from her early days in Canada. She especially remembers seeing two Hollywood movie stars (a man and a woman) on a special visit at the beach in the summer of 1950/51/52. She would love to know their names. I’ve tried many searches, without results. Could you help us? Blessings.

    1. Thanks for your encouraging comments. Many stars visited Sunnyside over the years, performing at the Bandshell there. I do not know of any source to check for names for individual stars but you could check the newspapers for the summer months during the 1950’s. They are on microfilm at the Toronto Reference Library.
      Good luck with your search.
      Doug

      1. Thank you for your prompt reply. That’s a good lead; I’ll check those microfilm resources. Have a beautiful day.

  2. In 1955 I worked for Conklin Shows at Sunnyside. I worked in Kiddieland which was on the south side of Lakeshore Blvd. After work each evening I would cross to the north side where I rode various rides until closing time. Then I would meet my mother who sold tickets on a ride that I cannot remember the name of. It was a merrygoround which operated a very high speeds. If anyone remembers what it was called I would appreciiate hearing from you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *