Historic photos from around Christie Pits, Toronto

The neighbourhood is centred around the park on the north side of Bloor Street West, and the west side of Christie Street. Up to the early 1900s it was a sand pit, and was then turned into a public park, officially called Willowvale Park until 1983. It has been used for sporting events, especially baseball (there are three fields, with the large main venue in the north-east corner of the park officially called Dominico Field in 2010.

But the most historic moment in the park took place on August 16th, 1933 after a baseball game: The Christie Pits riot.



List of all areas in Toronto or take a look at the historic photos by date. New! You can now access the photos by street address A subset of the photos have also been arranged by subject.

 
 

1912 Historic photo from Thursday, May 2, 1912 - Willowvale Park (Now Christie Pits) north across Bloor St. showing stable, old wooden walk, and rough banks in Christie PitsWillowvale Park (Now Christie Pits) north across Bloor St. showing stable, old wooden walk, and rough banks
114 years ago - Thursday, May 2, 1912 - Christie Pits at 750 Bloor Street West
Max temp: 16.7°C - Min temp: 7.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1922 Historic photo from Saturday, May 13, 1922 - Crowds watching a baseball game - Christie Pits (was called Willowvale Park) in Christie PitsCrowds watching a baseball game - Christie Pits (was called Willowvale Park)
104 years ago - Saturday, May 13, 1922 - Christie Pits at 750 Bloor Street West
Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 7.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1925 Historic photo from 1925 - Grocery store, Essex and Christie Street (Red Rose Tea ad in the windows) in Christie PitsGrocery store, Essex and Christie Street (Red Rose Tea ad in the windows)
101 years ago - 1925 - Christie Pits at 180 Christie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1949 Historic photo from Monday, March 28, 1949 - 23 Christie Street with Christie Pits to the left in Christie Pits23 Christie Street with Christie Pits to the left
77 years ago - Monday, March 28, 1949 - Christie Pits at 23 Christie Street
Max temp: 12.8°C - Min temp: 5.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1949 Historic photo from Monday, March 28, 1949 - Christie Street, north from Bloor Street - gas station, and taxi company in house in Christie PitsChristie Street, north from Bloor Street - gas station, and taxi company in house
77 years ago - Monday, March 28, 1949 - Christie Pits at 15 Christie Street
Max temp: 12.8°C - Min temp: 5.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)