Historic photos from around Fallingbrook, Toronto

Between The Beaches to the west and the Toronto Hunt Club to the east, Fallingbrook is a small community within the greater Birch Cliff area of Scarborough.

The area gets its name from one of the first houses in the area - the Anglican Reverend Charles Winstanley's house "Falling Brook" built in 1844. Railroad baron Sir Donald Mann modified the name to Fallingbrook when he built his summer home in 1907.

Another estate in the area, Blantyre Park, was divided up with the property along the lake leased to the Victoria Amusement Park which operated from 1878 to 1912. Once closed, the land was used for the Victoria Park Forest school for a while, before the land that eventually became the R.C. Harris Filtration plant.

The neighbourhood is now home to many wonderful homes, and remains one of the few places in Toronto that has private access to Lake Ontario.



List of all areas in Toronto or take a look at the historic photos by date. A subset of the photos have also been arranged by subject.

 
 

1905 Historic photo from 1905 - Fallingbrook - Sir Donald Manns Summer home - built 1907 - burned down January 26, 1930 in FallingbrookFallingbrook - Sir Donald Manns Summer home - built 1907 - burned down January 26, 1930
(Categorized under: Estates and Houses )
118 years ago - 1905 - Fallingbrook
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1913 Historic photo from Tuesday, July 29, 1913 - Victoria Park Forest School, Mess Hall building in FallingbrookVictoria Park Forest School, Mess Hall building
110 years ago - Tuesday, July 29, 1913 - Fallingbrook
Max temp: 30.6°C - Min temp: 17.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1913 Historic photo from Tuesday, July 29, 1913 - Children outdoors on bunks at the Victoria Park Forest School in FallingbrookChildren outdoors on bunks at the Victoria Park Forest School
110 years ago - Tuesday, July 29, 1913 - Fallingbrook
Max temp: 30.6°C - Min temp: 17.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1935 Historic photo from Monday, April 1, 1935 - R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant from the south-west in FallingbrookR.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant from the south-west
88 years ago - Monday, April 1, 1935 - Fallingbrook
Max temp: 3.9°C - Min temp: 0.6°C - 0.8cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1952 Historic photo from Friday, September 26, 1952 - R.C. Harris Purification Plant, east side - lawn, steps, towers in FallingbrookR.C. Harris Purification Plant, east side - lawn, steps, towers
71 years ago - Friday, September 26, 1952 - Fallingbrook
Max temp: 16.7°C - Min temp: 10.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1952 Historic photo from Friday, September 26, 1952 - Tower at east side of the R.C. Harris Purification Plant in FallingbrookTower at east side of the R.C. Harris Purification Plant
71 years ago - Friday, September 26, 1952 - Fallingbrook
Max temp: 16.7°C - Min temp: 10.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1957 Historic photo from 1957 - Blantyre Park - then St. John's Training School for Boys, Victoria Park Ave., e. side, opp. Bracken Ave.; recreation hall in FallingbrookBlantyre Park - then St. John's Training School for Boys, Victoria Park Ave., e. side, opp. Bracken Ave.; recreation hall
(Categorized under: Estates and Houses )
66 years ago - 1957 - Fallingbrook
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1957 Historic photo from 1957 - Blantyre Park - part of 60 acre estate purchased in 1858 by Peter Paterson Jr in FallingbrookBlantyre Park - part of 60 acre estate purchased in 1858 by Peter Paterson Jr
(Categorized under: Estates and Houses )
66 years ago - 1957 - Fallingbrook
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1985 Historic photo from 1985 - Art Deco entrance to the R.C. Harris Plant along Lake Ontario in FallingbrookArt Deco entrance to the R.C. Harris Plant along Lake Ontario
38 years ago - 1985 - Fallingbrook
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)