By DAVID VAN DYKE The original photograph above was taken by Ann Patterson sometime in the late 1970s. At this time she and her husband ran a camera store across the street from this location (Elmer Avenue and Queen Street East). Tony’s fruit stand, which later became Ends, and Have a Nice Day Coffee Stop […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE It is with some regret that I share Chris Nicholls’ Iast submission. The Bessborough Mansions (above) on Queen Street East, just past Silver Birch Avenue were photographed in 1982. When Chris was a photo arts student in the 1980s, he documented many of the storefronts in the Beach. Luckily for us, […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE Rebecca Armstrong sent in the slightly damaged photo image (does not bother me at all) above of her mother, Jane, crossing Queen Street East on Lee Avenue. Some would say this intersection is the heart of the Beach. Taken in the mid 1970s, we witness a very humble Beach neighbourhood in […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE Many Beachers will remember when this building was a Becker’s Milk store, on the southeast corner of Leuty Avenue and Queen Street East. I recall shooting the top image in 2006. Quigley’s, a very popular local bar, was looking to expand. They had secured this property and renovations had started. Needles […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE When I look at any photograph taken of the Neville Park Loop, I hear sharp, grinding squeals in my head. There are 40 years between these two images. The top photograph was taken by then photography student Chris Nicholls. If you think Chris was a good shooter in 1980, just check […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE Earlier this year, I asked the readership of Beach Metro News to send me photographs they took of their dwelling places after they first moved into the Beach. Well, thank you Janet Dowler for being the first to indulge me! The house is on Hazel Avenue and the photo was taken […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE Above is a postcard of the Scarboro Beach Amusement Park. The image was captured from a plane (see the wing mounts on the left) when aviation was in its infancy; for that matter, aerial photography as well. The amusement park opened in June of 1907 and the photograph above nicely depicts […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE I met John Watt at this corner of Herbert and Hartford avenues recently. He sent me a photograph his father took of him back in 1966 when he was 16 years old. We agreed to meet and reshoot this wonderful image. John grew up and lived in the Beach from the […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE This aerial photograph above showing the foot of Lee Avenue (provided by Herman Sahrmann) was taken in 1961. I imagine that in the photo below most Beachers are delighted to see abundantly more beach sand for their beloved dogs from the time depicted. Thank you Herman, for forwarding this amazing aerial […]
By DAVID VAN DYKE In the Sept. 22 issue of Beach Metro News, if you recall, I revisited a 60-year-old photo taken by Herman Sahrmann, of the Leuty Lifeguard Station. Herman was a young lifeguard at the then Toronto Harbour Police Sub Station. This incredible shot above showing the beach was taken from the mast […]
