Did you now how amazing the Toronto Public Library archives are? I stumbled upon their digital archive recently and got sucked in. Before I knew it, I’d lost a couple hours of my work day to clicking from one image to the next. There’s nearly 9,000 images!

The best part is that most of the images are shared under a public domain license, and you can even order a print of your favourite image. I rent my apartment now, but one day when I own a place, I think it would be amazing to frame an image from my neighbourhood’s history. I really appreciate how the library has made these images so accessible.

Some of My Favourite Images

(click any image to view it on the Toronto Library website)

Toronto Library description: Toronto Harbour looking s.e., from foot of John St.

Toronto Library description: Toronto downtown ca 1875, looking south from tower of Metropolitan Church, Toronto Ont.

I live in the west end of Toronto, near Dufferin Grove park. I had fun checking out what my neighbourhood used to look like. Can you imagine elephants on a Toronto street nowadays?

Toronto Library’s description: Circus; elephants, on way to Dufferin Park Race Track, perhaps on Brock Ave.

Can you imagine lots near Trinity Bellwoods going for $3 to $11? This image is from 1880.

Toronto Library description: Lots for sale.

Toronto Library description: Toronto General Hospital (opened 1913), College St., s. side, betw. Elizabeth St. & University Ave.

Some Great Pen & Ink Images

Toronto Library description: Carlton St., n. side, looking e. from Yonge St.

Toronto Library description: Front St. W., looking n.w. from Front & Simcoe Sts. (1834)

Toronto Library description: Spadina Avenue, between Baldwin and Nassau Streets (Toronto), 1864