Historic photos from around Long Branch, Toronto

A small group of developers/financiers from Toronto bought a portion of land south of Lake Shore Boulevard West in Etobicoke that was originally granted to one of the earliest settlers in Etobicoke - Loyalist Col. Sam Smith - for his service in the Queen's Rifles in 1797. The developers planned to develop the area as a summer resort with a 10-acre park along the lake - only 45 minutes away from Toronto by steamers, such as Greyhound or the White Star that left from Yonge Street. It was first called Sea Breeze Park, then in 1886 the site was acquired by Thomas Wilkie and his brother and renamed Long Branch Park (after the seaside summer resort area of Long Branch, New Jersey). In 1887 a hotel with Japanese balconies and a pagoda tower was built, then a post office was built to serve the area.

The first Aerodrome in Canada and home to Canada's first aviator training school was opened on May 20th, 1915 (located on a 100-acre property on Lakeshore Road just west of Dixie Road in Mississauga).

The Long Branch Race Track was opened on September 6, 1924 and closed in 1955. It was located on the lands bounded by Evans, Kipling, Horner, and the railway tracks.

Just west of Marie Curtis Park is industrial land that has long been used for military manufacturing by the government - the Small Arms Limited Long Branch Arsenal, then Small Arms Ltd on the "Arsenel Lands." Guns such as No.4 MkI Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifle, and the Sten submachine-gun (or machine-carbine) were manufactured there.

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.

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1887		Map of Long Branch Summer Resort with designs for villa residences and summer cottages 136 years ago - 1887 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1914		Recruits applying at Long Branch Camp for WWI 109 years ago - 1914 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915		Women learn to shoot - Long Branch camp - now Marie Curtis Park 108 years ago - 1915 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915		Long Branch Theatorium - three generations of the Williams family (Categorized under: West end theatres ) 108 years ago - 1915 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1916		Horner Avenue School Exterior facade with boys and girls entrances 107 years ago - 1916 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1916		Horner Avenue School (now Adam Beck Junior School) classroom with teachers office in the back 107 years ago - 1916 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1916		Doorway with washroom and coat hooks, Horner Avenue School 107 years ago - 1916 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1924		Sign at Long Branch School for Aviators 99 years ago - 1924 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1931		Open air pavilion and baseball diamond at Long Branch Park 92 years ago - Friday, July 17, 1931 - Long Branch Max temp: 27.2°C - Min temp: 20.6°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1950		Long Branch Horse Race Track sinage - with next race, results, odds, jockey corrections, and $1 pays 73 years ago - 1950 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1953		Long Branch Park Hotel, Long Branch Ave., e. side, near lake shore - destroyed by fire February 18, 1958 70 years ago - 1953 - Long Branch Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)