The corner of Islington Avenue and Fordwich Crescent, 1955 and 2015. Postwar suburbanization is a well-known story, really. It was quick.
Month: July 2017
Then & Now: Wallace and Symington
Wallace and Symington, north west corner, 1930 and 2015. By today’s standards, the Junction Triangle still contains what I would consider a large number of local stores. Of course, when you take a walk through, it’s quite plain that there were, at one time or another, many many more. You can see the (still-operating) store across the street in the “related posts” below when you click on the article.
Woolworth’s on Rideau
In 1993, after 78 years in business, the Woolworth’s on Rideau Street announced its closure. The ailing chain of discount stores, then in throes of death, undertook to reorganize and closed 150 stores across the country. In Ottawa, aside from the Rideau Woolworth, the Woolco in the Merivale Mall was slated to close.1Kelly Egan, “Cashing out after 78 years; Customers, staff lament downtown Woolworth closure,” Ottawa Citizen, October 23, 1993, C1. According to Woolworth officials, it was tentatively scheduled to close its doors for the last time on December 24, leaving the 50-odd employees with something of a bittersweet Christmas.2”Woolworth to close Byward landmark,” Ottawa Citizen, October 16, 1993, 6.
Then & Now: Davenport and Dupont
The Sign of the Steer, a short-lived restaurant of some legend, once occupied the corner of Davenport and Dupont.
Danforth’s Sidewalk Protest, 1934
’twas ever thus. So long as we’ve gathered into cities, there have been disputes – both major and minor – over the appropriate and proportionate use of public space. Sometimes, such as our perennial arguments over the patios installed on Elgin street here in Ottawa during the summer months, it’s an entirely legitimate exercise in negotiating the use of space. Other times, such as the pitched battles between restaurants and food trucks, it’s more a matter protecting revenues by limiting the range of choices in the immediate area. In the case of the photo above, it was more of the former, but with some drops of the latter added to the mix.
Under the ‘N’… NO
Admittedly, one of my favourite articles in the last little while has been one that was run in Toronto Life called “People with their arms crossed in front of things they’re against: A taxonomy of the Star’s favourite visual cliché“. To be certain, it’s a light and fluffy piece, but I was happy that someone did put it out there. The arms-crossed-and-scowl (or look of deep concern) visual language that communicates opposition is common to newspapers all over.
A Parking Lot Announcement
In spite of the pictures above, this won’t be about the much-fabled Yonge Street pedestrian mall of the 1970s. That history has been well covered in a number of places, like Torontoist, Active History, Spacing, and BlogTO. I will note that it’s nice to see the idea gaining some currency once more.
Then & Now: Danforth & Gough
Danforth & Gough, 1984 and 2016.
In August 1984, the Toronto Star reported that 40 people from the surrounding neighbourhood had taken Sun Valley Fruit to the Ontario Municipal Board to force them to provide parking.
Then & Now: Gerrard E. & Marjory
Then & Now: Queen and Jones
Queen Street East and Jones: July 1986 and July 2015. The mural, which depicts Alexander Muir, has since been freshened and updated.
Almost Lost for Royce
I came across the following picture this evening while working on another project and felt it would be good to share.
Made in the Shade
In June 1964, when it was completed, František (Frank) Stalmach’s Ontario Telephone Employees’ Credit Union building on the south east corner of Wilson and Avenue Road in North York was featured in the Toronto Star for its use of sun shades to cut air conditioner usage. Perhaps a testament to their efficacy, the tinted plastic shades remain in place today, more than fifty years on.