Hotels and Inns

Toronto has long been a centre for travel and trade, and has therefore had many inns and hotels over the years. We've collected an alphabetical list here of historic photos of Toronto hotels - the major, famous hotels, as well as the many smaller hotels and motels.

Alphabetical links: A B C D F G H I J K L O P R S T U W

List of all subjects. You can also see all the historic photos for a given neighbourhood. We also have a list of all the photos arranged by date.

1856
to
1940

Rossin House Hotel

The Rossin House Hotel stood on the south east corner of King Street West and York Street in Toronto's Financial district. Officially opened in May 1857, the five story luxury hotel (for its day) was built by Charles and Marcus Rossin, jewellers and land speculators.

In 1862 the inside of the building was destroyed by a fire, but it was reconstructed by James G. Chewett with few changes and reopened in 1867. ...more

Follow this link to our 8 entries, dated from 1856 to 1940 related to Rossin_House_Hotel

1846
to
1928

Queen's Hotel

The north side of Front Street just west of Yonge Street has long been the site of a hotel. The 'Ontario Terrace' of houses were built in 1843 (which you can see in the 1867 photo below) then became known as the Sword's Hotel in 1853, then from 1860 to 1862 the Revere House. It was finally renamed the Queen's Hotel in 1862, and remained as such until it was purchased by the Canadian Pacific Railway and torn down in 1927 to build the present Royal York Hotel.

The Queen's Hotel was one of the city's most prestigious, and advanced, hotels ...more

Follow this link to our 20 entries, dated from 1846 to 1928 related to Queens_Hotel

1918
to
2006

Broadview House Hotel

The imposing Romanesque-style building on the north-west corner of Broadview and Queen Street east is currently best known as the location of Jilly's Strip club, but it has a long and varied history. One of Toronto's oldest existing buildings, it is listed in the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties.

Originally built by Archibald Dingman in 1893 as an office building, it was first known as Dingman's Hall and often served as a meeting place, with rooms rented out to visiting Shriners, Masons, etc... It was then known as the Broadview Hotel, and as the Lincoln Hotel for a time around 1933. It is now a boarding house, known as the New Broadview Hotel.

Follow this link to our 6 entries, dated from 1918 to 2006 related to Broadview_Hotel

1830
to
1914

Caer Howell Hotel

William Dummer Powell built his second home in Toronto - Caer Howell - in 1810, along Taddle Creek just south of what is now Orde St. west of University Ave. In 1853 "it was improved with a new front, and again in 1860 it was enlarged" ending up eventually in the second empire style, with a wrap around porch with a balcony along the top.

In 1837 the property and building was sold to Henry Layton who converted it into a private club, and then into a hotel and tavern, complete with a wooden gate reading 'Caer Howell' ...more

Follow this link to our 8 entries, dated from 1830 to 1914 related to Caer_Howell_Hotel

1907
to
1925

King Edward Hotel

Toronto's King Edward Hotel (or the King Eddy) is a historic luxury hotel opened in 1903 and expanded with an 18 storey tower in 1922. It was conceived of by the Gooderham family to "stem the tide of development that was moving towards the newly opened City Hall at Bay and Queen Streets." ...more

Follow this link to our 7 entries, dated from 1907 to 1925 related to King_Edward_Hotel

Other photos

A (back to top)
1945		A Good Hotel dining room - 572 Bay St., between Louisa St. and Dundas St. W. 68 years ago - Downtown - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1945		Alexandra Hotel - torn down for Nathan Philips Square - 102-104 Queen St. West at Elizabeth Street 68 years ago - City Hall - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1888		American Hotel at the north-east corner of Yonge and Front streets 125 years ago - St. Lawrence - 1888 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1940		Avonmore Hotel fire - side entrance, separate for men and ladies 73 years ago - Garden District - Saturday, March 16, 1940 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1940		Avonmore Hotel fire damage - Gerrard and Jarvis streets - A&P and Nicholls Drug Stores on main floor 73 years ago - Garden District - Saturday, March 16, 1940 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
B (back to top)
1945		Babloor Hotel - 1163-1167 Bay St., east side, between Charles St. W. and Bloor St. W. 68 years ago - Yorkville - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920		Bedford Park Hotel at 3296 Yonge Street south of Fairlawn 93 years ago - Bedford Park - Thursday, November 25, 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1952		Bedford Park Hotel, Tulip Ice Cream, John A Kelly Real Estate & Hing Bros Laundry 61 years ago - Bedford Park - Saturday, November 1, 1952 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1866		Betz Hotel at the corner of Esplanade and Simcoe streets 147 years ago - Downtown - 1866 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1967		Beverly Hills Seaway Motor Hotel (with The Hook and Ladder Club sign for Billy Daniels) 46 years ago - Downsview - 1967 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1900		Bird In Hand hotel - Yonge St., w. side, near Cummer Ave. operated by John Montgomery & later John Finch 113 years ago - North York - 1900 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1920		Birrels Hotel on the south (left) side of Yonge Street, south of York Mills 93 years ago - North Toronto - Thursday, July 1, 1920 Link to archive record - Map location ( From GetStock)
1870		Black Horse Hotel at Front and George streets, Toronto 143 years ago - Old Town - 1870 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1945		Breadalbane Hotel - 2-8 Breadalbane St., on the north west corner at Yonge Street (Hotel Breadalbane) 68 years ago - Church-Wellesley Village - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1922		Brockton Hotel for sale, Sheridan and Dundas Street West 91 years ago - Brockton Village - Friday, December 22, 1922 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
C (back to top)
1940		Cameron House Hotel on Queen Street West - parade going by 73 years ago - Alexandra Park - 1940 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1928		Carls-Rite hotel (on left) and westbound traffic on Front St, from west side of Simcoe St, at 5:30 p.m., showing line up of cars and vehicles, almost back to York St 85 years ago - Downtown - Saturday, March 17, 1928 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1935		Carls-Rite Hotel - Mayor Samuel McBride and wife Frances Jane (with Hotel Carls-Rite sign) 78 years ago - Downtown - 1935 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920		Carls-Rite Hotel interior - dining room - particular attention paid to comfort of ladies and children traveling alone (Hotel Carls-Rite) 93 years ago - Downtown - 1920 Link to archive record - Map location
1946		Carls-Rite Hotel on Front Street - built 1893 and known as the Grand Union, then Hotel Carls-Rite, finally the Hotel Barclay 67 years ago - Downtown - 1946 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1960		Carls-Rite Hotel with Hotel Barclay sign 53 years ago - Downtown - 1960 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1981		Cherry St - Canary Restaurant, Palace Street School, and Cherry Street Hotel 32 years ago - Distillery District - Monday, May 18, 1981 Link to archive record - Map location (From Collations Flickr stream)
1954		Cherry St. Hotel, then Eastern Star Hotel ca 1904, with Tippet Richardson sign 59 years ago - Distillery District - 1954 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
D (back to top)
1945		Dominion Hotel - 498-500 Queen St. East, on the north west corner at Sumach St. 68 years ago - Trefann Court - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1945		Dominion Hotel - front - 498-500 Queen St. East, on the north west corner at Sumach St. 68 years ago - Trefann Court - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912		Dufferin Hotel at Bloor St. W., n.w. cor. Dufferin St. 101 years ago - Wallace Emerson - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
F (back to top)
1910		Falconer Hotel - north-west corner of King Street West and Spadina Avenue (Hotel Falconer) 103 years ago - Wellington Place - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1973		Ford Hotel during demolition - Built in 1928, 12 stories, 750 rooms 40 years ago - Downtown - Wednesday, October 10, 1973 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
G (back to top)
1931		Gladstone Hotel at 1204 Queen St. West (Soft drinks stand) 82 years ago - Beaconsfield Village - Thursday, November 26, 1931 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1897		Gladstone Hotel in distance, Union hotel on right - Queen Street construction at the Dufferin subway looking east 116 years ago - Beaconsfield Village - Wednesday, November 17, 1897 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1949		Gladstone Hotel on Gladstone Avenue before widening 64 years ago - Beaconsfield Village - Wednesday, March 23, 1949 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1951		Gladstone Hotel with ornate carving - Gladstone Avenue looking north from south side Queen 62 years ago - Beaconsfield Village - Monday, March 12, 1951 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1895		Golden Lion Hotel - men on the porch, Yonge and Sheppard - Lansing 118 years ago - Willowdale - 1895 Link to archive record - Map location
1895		Golden Lion Hotel, Yonge St., s.w. cor. Sheppard Ave. - Lansing 118 years ago - Willowdale - 1895 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1945		Graymar Hotel - 29-31 Jarvis St., between Front St. E. and King St. E. 68 years ago - Old Town - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1953		Grosvenor Hotel, Yonge St., s.e. corner Alexander St. (became Hotel Torontonian in 1953) 60 years ago - Church-Wellesley Village - Monday, March 9, 1953 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
H (back to top)
1890		Hanlan Hotel on the island with ads for Doty's Coney Island Carousel, Doty's Hippodrome, and Doty's Ferry Line 123 years ago - Toronto Island - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1909		Hanlan's Point Hotel - remains after fire 104 years ago - Toronto Island - 1909 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1927		Heydon House Hotel, northwest corner of Old Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue 86 years ago - The Junction - Wednesday, March 16, 1927 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1928		Hotel Widmer : south-west corner of Bay Street and Adelaide Street 85 years ago - Downtown - 1928 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
I (back to top)
1945		Imperial Hotel - 54-58 Dundas St. E., on north-east corner of Dundas and Victoria Lane 68 years ago - Ryerson - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908		Iroquois Hotel on King Street West, looking east from York Street including Palmer House, Imperial Hotel, Prince George Hotel 105 years ago - Financial District - 1908 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1919		Iroquois Hotel, northwest corner of King and York streets 94 years ago - Financial District - 1919 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1945		Isabella Hotel at 556 Sherbourne St., on the north west corner of Sherbourne and Isabella St. 68 years ago - Upper Jarvis - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
J (back to top)
1936		Jolly Miller Hotel - Yonge Street, York Mills, North York Twp. : Looking south to TTC North Yonge Railways Stop 1A at Mill Street at York Mills Station 77 years ago - Hoggs Hollow - 1936 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1967		Jolly Miller Tavern and York Mills Skating Rink on Yonge Street 46 years ago - Hoggs Hollow - 1967 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1945		Jolly Miller Tavern with a Jolly Miller Hotel sign out front in 1945 68 years ago - Hoggs Hollow - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
K (back to top)
1885		Kingston House hotel (formerly James Hunter house) Church St., n.w. corner Lombard St. 128 years ago - Old Town - 1885 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
L (back to top)
1890		Londonderry Inn with horse drawn carriages out front - Victoria St., n.e. corner at Lombard St. 123 years ago - Old Town - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
O (back to top)
1908		Old St. Charles Hotel Christmas display, Yonge and King 105 years ago - Downtown - Friday, December 25, 1908 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921		Oulcotts Hotel converted to Postal Station K, No. 2388 Yonge Street, formerly 92 years ago - North Toronto - Tuesday, November 22, 1921 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908		Oulcotts Hotel on Yonge Street, north of Eglinton, looking south 105 years ago - North Toronto - 1908 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1911		Oulcotts Temperance Hotel just beyond Mr. D. D. Reids field at Montgomery Avenue 102 years ago - North Toronto - 1911 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
P (back to top)
1986		Palace Hotel (then Tavern, then Arms) 950 King St W Built in 1890, attributed to F.H. Herbert, Architect 27 years ago - Stanley Park - 1986 Link to archive record - Map location (From Collations Flickr stream)
1916		Palace Hotel on leftt, at King and Strachan Ave. looking east Track reconstruction 97 years ago - Stanely Park - Thursday, May 4, 1916 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912		Peacock Hotel on Dundas Street West at Royce Avenue (Dupont) 101 years ago - The Junction - Tuesday, September 17, 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
R (back to top)
1945		Rosedale Hotel at 1145 Yonge St - painted 68 years ago - Rosedale - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920		Rosedale Hotel from railway bridge on Yonge Street looking north 93 years ago - Rosedale - 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914		Rosedale Hotel NE corner of Yonge Street and Shaftensbury Avenue, 99 years ago - Rosedale - Saturday, November 21, 1914 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1910		Rosedale Hotel on Yonge street at Shaftensbury Avenue, just north of the CPR level crossing 103 years ago - Rosedale - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1916		Rosedale Hotel with sign - Yonge Street track extension looking north to Shaftesbury Avenue 97 years ago - Rosedale - Tuesday, August 29, 1916 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1956		Royal York Hotel hosts 1956 Grey Cup crowds in Toronto 57 years ago - Financial District - Saturday, November 24, 1956 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929		Royal York Hotel, Front St. W., n.e. corner York St. 84 years ago - Financial District - 1929 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1959		Rupert Hotel on northwest corner Parliament and Queen Streets - then The Rupert Hotel rooming house 54 years ago - Moss Park - 1959 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
S (back to top)
1945		Scholes Hotel - became the Colonial Tavern jazz venue - 201-203 Yonge Street 68 years ago - Downtown - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1858		Shakespeare Hotel at the corner of King and York streets, Toronto 155 years ago - Downtown - 1858 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1947		Shamrock Hotel and Grill, s.w.corner of Gerrard and River 66 years ago - Regent Park - Tuesday, November 18, 1947 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1911		St. Charles Hotel - five bartenders behind the bar 102 years ago - Downtown - 1911 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908		St. Charles Hotel - northwest corner of Yonge Street & Melinda Street 105 years ago - Downtown - 1908 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912		Star Hotel on Front St. W. converted into stables 101 years ago - Entertainment District - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
T (back to top)
1945		The National Hotel or New Toronto Hotel on Sherbourne at King 68 years ago - Old Town - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
U (back to top)
1896		Union Hotel with kids sitting outside, Parkdale on Queen Street West 117 years ago - Beaconsfield Village - Wednesday, August 17, 1896 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1894		Union Hotel, Parkdale on Queen Street West at Dufferin 119 years ago - Beaconsfield Village - 1894 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
W (back to top)
1912		Walker House Hotel in centre, Queens Hotel on left, open space site of future Union Station 101 years ago - Financial District - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1945		Walker House Hotel on the south west corner of Front St. W. and York St. 68 years ago - Financial District - 1945 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1900		Wards Hotel on Toronto Island (1882-1966) 113 years ago - Toronto Island - 1900 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1940		Wards Island Hotel, sketch of proposed remodelling 73 years ago - Toronto Island - 1940 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1980		Warwick Hotel - interior shots before demolition (Hotel Warwick) 33 years ago - Garden District - Wednesday, November 19, 1980 Link to archive record - Map location (From Collations Flickr stream)
1980		Warwick Hotel, Dundas Street East at Jarvis Street 33 years ago - Garden District - 1980 Link to archive record - Map location
1856		Wellington Street East : north-side between Church and Yonge streets, showing the Wellington Hotel 157 years ago - St. Lawrence - 1856 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1954		Winchester Hotel aka Lake View Hotel (built 1888) - Parliament St., s.e. corner Winchester St. 59 years ago - Cabbagetown - Sunday, August 29, 1954 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)