Junction Triangle - History

Photographic Ode to the Wallace Ave. Footbridge

vic — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 20:23:30 +0000

I haven't really posted on this website in a very long time. So here's a simple photo-post to change that.

100 in 1 Day: Love Letters to the Junction Triangle, Past Present, and Future

vic — Mon, 25 May 2015 20:13:57 +0000

Description of this event comes from the 100 in 1 day festival website.

LOVE LETTERS TO THE JUNCTION TRIANGLE, PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
by Vicki McGregor, Jennifer Harrison, and Nuria Gonzalez

Showcasing diversity and connecting community members in the Junction Triangle. Encouraging learning and discussion about the neighbourhood.

ABOUT THE URBAN INTERVENTION

10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday June 6th 2015

A collection of thoughts, feelings and photos of the traditional and newly welcomed communities in the Junction Triangle.

The intervention will feature photos of the past and present to showcase diversity and encourage inclusiveness in our neighbourhood. Community members’ thoughts and feelings about the Junction Triangle will be displayed in love letters. On the day of the event, people can write letters to add to the display on the West Toronto Rail Path.

We’re asking people to participate by submitting photos from different time periods: past (older than 10 years) and present (within the last 10 years). Photos of historical places, community events, and personal significance are welcomed. Please note, the exhibit will be curated and the photos will be donated to a local community hub following this event.

Junction Triangle residents will submit their statements about the following:
My fondest memory of the Junction Triangle is….
I love the Junction Triangle because….
My vision for the future of the Junction Triangle is….

These materials will be part of my intervention:
pens, table, a few chairs, string/rope, tape and clothes pins, print photos, print cards for statements

It would be great if participants can bring with them:
Submit statements and photos via social media ahead of the event so they can be displayed.

Jane's Walk: Intriguing, industrial, Sterling Road!!

vic — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 03:23:19 +0000

Sterling Rd., looking north, 1912-14: City of Toronto Archives: Fonds 1244, Item 7203
This Jane's Walk will take place on Sunday May 3 at 1:00 PM (also on Friday May 1, 2015 at 6:00 PM). Details are on the Jane's Walk website.

Come explore the quirky and intriguing history of the old industrial Sterling Road! Located in the Junction Triangle, this short, hilly and winding road runs from Dundas West to Bloor St. West and houses a century old chocolate factory, the Tower Automotive Building- once Canada's tallest building, a circus school, a flag factory, an axe-throwing league, and numerous artists and designers studio's among other intrigues. We will start the walk at the north-west corner of Dundas West and Sterling, where the PATH begins and make our way north towards Bloor, pointing out specific buildings, and chatting about their histories, how they've changed, and what they currently house. This tour will also feature rare glimpses into the interiors of several artists studio's so that walkers can gain access into the world of working artists and designers. This vibrant and yet gritty industrial neighbourhood is on the brink of gentrification and changing rapidly. Come view it in transition with your hosts Catto and Elise Houghton!

We will be meeting at the North West corner of the intersection at Sterling Road and Dundas West next to the PATH. You can't miss us.

Jane's Walk: Intriguing, industrial, Sterling Road!!

vic — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 03:21:38 +0000

Sterling Rd., looking north, 1912-14: City of Toronto Archives: Fonds 1244, Item 7203
This Jane's Walk will take place on Friday May 1, 2015 at 6:00 PM (repeated on Sunday May 3 at 1:00 PM). Details are on the Jane's Walk website.

Come explore the quirky and intriguing history of the old industrial Sterling Road! Located in the Junction Triangle, this short, hilly and winding road runs from Dundas West to Bloor St. West and houses a century old chocolate factory, the Tower Automotive Building- once Canada's tallest building, a circus school, a flag factory, an axe-throwing league, and numerous artists and designers studio's among other intrigues. We will start the walk at the north-west corner of Dundas West and Sterling, where the PATH begins and make our way north towards Bloor, pointing out specific buildings, and chatting about their histories, how they've changed, and what they currently house. This tour will also feature rare glimpses into the interiors of several artists studio's so that walkers can gain access into the world of working artists and designers. This vibrant and yet gritty industrial neighbourhood is on the brink of gentrification and changing rapidly. Come view it in transition with your hosts Catto and Elise Houghton!

We will be meeting at the North West corner of the intersection at Sterling Road and Dundas West next to the PATH. You can't miss us.

Is Colt Paper at 151 Sterling Rd the Oldest Business in the Triangle Junction?

roberrific — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 23:05:20 +0000

Colt Paper has been making custom cardboard boxes at 151 Sterling Rd since 1962, when Sydney Colt bought the building. But he was in the box business in the Triangle Junction thirty years before that. ..

Jane's Walk: Doors Open Davenport

vic — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:51:27 +0000

A Jane's Walk, organized by DIGIN, visiting various locations around the Junction Triangle and Bloordale:

Click to download PDF copy of the event flyer.

Wallace Ave: Train crashes into firetruck; Firefighters barely escape

vic — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 20:39:09 +0000

The Globe, December 22, 1930: Click image for full-size version

On Saturday, December 20, 1930, four firefighters narrowly escaped injury or death when they jumped from their firetruck moments before it was struck by a train at the Wallace Ave. crossing. You can get the details of what happened in The Globe's article (click for a large, readable image), but here's a quick summary:

The Rebirth of "Elsie"

Scott D — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:01:04 +0000

So how did Elsie Mews come to be at 351 Wallace? Initially the developer suggested a name that had a personal connection to them but none to the community and then the City Surveyor researched names that had some significance to the area. It was noted by the surveyor and some residents that up until around 1910 there had in fact been an Elsie Avenue in almost the same spot. Its very rare that a street name from the past comes back and it presented a unique chance to reconnect with the history of the area.

1887 Property Sale

vic — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:19:00 +0000

An advertisement from the May 9, 1887, Globe when the Toronto Land & Investment Corp. was selling properties in the Bloor / Symington / Churchill (now Perth) area.

Then and Now: Wallace Ave. Footbridge Deck

vic — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:01:44 +0000

Here is the latest in the series of "Then and Now" photos. Do you have any old photos of this neighbourhood? Please feel free to get in touch if you're willing to share them!

This photo from 1916, taken on the Wallace Ave. Bridge, is one of my favourites from the City of Toronto Archives. It's pretty simple, and doesn't actually show all that much of our neighbourhood, but it has this great quality of instantly-recognizable timelessness plus a view back on a different era. It's not the kind of photo that one might expect to take. Wooden planks and anonymous legs/feet? But I guess someone in the City of Toronto's Department of Public Works felt the need to document this piece of local infrastructure, so the photo was born.

So, back in January this year, I brought my camera, tripod, and willing companion up to the bridge to try to re-create it. Maybe someone else can do the same in another 94 years from now. I hope the bridge is still around then.

The modern version of this photo was also featured on a postcard sent out to all neighbourhood homes earlier this year as part of the Fuzzy Boundaries neighbourhood naming initiative.

THEN:
May 11 1916: City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200 Series 372, Subseries 84, Item 213