29 Photos That Tell The History Of The Junction, Toronto
The Stockyards, 1923 | Public Domain/Wikicommons
The Junction, named after its four intersecting railways in this west Toronto neighborhood, has a rich and fascinating history, encompassing a whole scope of interesting, trivia-worthy facets. From its old Native Canadian trading trails, to railway tracks that fostered the growth of industry, to Canada’s largest livestock market and center of Ontario’s meat-packing industry, the Junction is steeped in history.
The neighborhood was dubbed the “wild west” of the city thanks the behavior of some of the workers at the turn of the 20th century. The notorious behaviour led to an alcohol ban which lasted nearly a century. After the close of the stockyards in 1993 and repeal of the alcohol ban in 1998, the area began to transform and was redeveloped with housing, shops and restaurants. It has regenerated itself into a unique Toronto enclave between Runnymede Road and the Canadian National Railway corridor, nestled between Annette and St. Clair street. The “small town charm” of the area is still deeply felt. Despite its growth and revitalization, most of the original architecture and character remains intact. This vibrant neighborhood has plenty to see.
May 4, 1906: The Weston Streetcar
Weston Car Toronto Junction 1906 © Tyrrell, Joseph Burr (1858-1957)/Wikicommons
September 17, 1912: Dundas Street West and the Peacock Hotel
Dundas Street West at Royce Avenue (Peacock Hotel) Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
October 15, 1913: Keele Street Park
Keele Street Park Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
C. 1915: Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library; Annette Branch, Annette St., s.w. cor. Medland St. Public Domain/Toronto Reference Library
c. 1916: Maple Leaf Milling Co. and Campbell Flour Mills Co.
Maple Leaf Milling Co. and Campbell Flour Mills Co. Ltd. Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
February 8, 1922: Dundas Street and Pacific Avenue
South-west corner of Dundas Street and Pacific Avenue © Toronto History/Flickr
October 17, 1922: Dundas Street West
Dundas Street West, from Indian Grove © Toronto History/Flickr
March 21, 1923: Dundas Street
Dundas Street bridge west to Sterling Road Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
1923: The Stockyards
The Stockyards, 1923 © Alfred Pearson/Wikicommons
November 28, 1923: Dundas Street, looking west
Dundas, looking west, from Pacific Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
October 31, 1924: St. Clair Avenue and Hounslow Heath Road
St. Clair Avenue and Hounslow Heath Road, looking east © Toronto History/Flickr
March 16, 1927: Heydon House Hotel
Heydon House Hotel, northwest corner of Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
August 2, 1929: Runnymede and Lambton bus stop signs
Runnymede and Lambton bus stop signs, on Keele Street, south of Dundas Street © Toronto History/Flickr
November 14, 1929: Lansdowne Avenue
Lansdowne Avenue – Royce Avenue crossing Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
July 9, 1931: Union Street and St. Clair Avenue
Union Street and St. Clair Avenue, looking south © Toronto History/Flickr
July 9, 1931: Mulock Avenue
Mulock Avenue looking south from St. Clair Avenue West © Toronto History/Flickr
April 23, 1932: Subway – Royce Ave
Subway – Royce Ave, east of Dundas Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
April 23, 1932: Canadian General Electric Co.
Subway – Lansdowne Ave, north of Royce Ave Public Domain/City of Toronto Archives
August 29, 1934: Symes Road incinerator
Symes Road incinerator © Toronto History/Flickr
June 26, 1941: Dundas Street
Dundas Street, west from Indian Grove © Toronto History/Flickr
1942: A fire hall on Jane Street
A fire hall on Jane Street, in the Junction, 1942 © James Victor Salmon/Wikicommons
c. 1950: Canada Packers stock yards
Canada Packers stock yards, south-west corner of Keele Street and St. Clair Avenue West © Toronto History/Flickr
February 19, 1952: Annette Street
119-121 Annette Street © Toronto History/Flickr
1955: West Toronto Railway Station
West Toronto Railway Station (C.P.R.), Old Weston Road, e. side, n. of Dundas St. W. Public Domain/Toronto Reference Library
1956: Interurban Electric Company
Interurban Electric Company Ltd., Mavety St., e. side, s. of Dundas St. W. Public Domain/Toronto Reference Library
August 31, 1957: C. P. R., Runnymede Yards
C. P. R., Runnymede Yards, roundhouse, Runnymede Road, south-west corner St. Clair Avenue west, Toronto, Ont. Public Domain/Toronto Public Library
December, 1958: Davenport Road and Osler Street
Pedestrian crossing sign at Davenport Road and Osler Street © Toronto History/Flickr
c. 1987: Dundas Street West
Dundas Street West in the Junction © Toronto History/Flickr
Now: Keele and Dundas Street
Keele Dundas Junction Toronto October 2011 © Tyler. Chris Tyler/Wikicommons
