Historic photos from around Edward Gardens, Toronto

A wonderful public park and set of walking trails located at Lawrence Ave West and Leslie Street.

After the war of 1812 the land was owned by the Scottish weaver Alexander Milne for wool and saw mills, then turned into a 'country estate' by Rupert E. Edwards in 1944. He called the area Springbook Farms. By 1955 it sold to the City for $160,000 - well below market rate - to be turned into a public park.

You can see current photos of the hiking and biking trail south down Wilket Creek to Sunnybrook Park, here. The gardens are in North York with the Bridle Path to the west.



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.

 
 

1950 Historic photo from 1950 - Areal photo of the gardens property in the 1950s in Edward GardensAreal photo of the gardens property in the 1950s
75 years ago - 1950 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1955 Historic photo from Sunday, July 3, 1955 - A bridge in Edwards Gardens, Originally Rupert Edwards Springbrook Farm in Edward GardensA bridge in Edwards Gardens, Originally Rupert Edwards Springbrook Farm
(Categorized under: Bridges )
70 years ago - Sunday, July 3, 1955 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Max temp: 30.0°C - Min temp: 18.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1955 Historic photo from Sunday, July 3, 1955 - Milne Cemetery in Edwards Gardens in Edward GardensMilne Cemetery in Edwards Gardens
70 years ago - Sunday, July 3, 1955 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Max temp: 30.0°C - Min temp: 18.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1956 Historic photo from Saturday, June 23, 1956 - Opening day Edwards Gardens, June 23, 1956, Chirnside family, and fountain looking towards original farm house in Edward GardensOpening day Edwards Gardens, June 23, 1956, Chirnside family, and fountain looking towards original farm house
69 years ago - Saturday, June 23, 1956 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1957 Historic photo from Sunday, September 1, 1957 - People enjoying the lawns, bridge, and flowers in Edwards Gardens in Edward GardensPeople enjoying the lawns, bridge, and flowers in Edwards Gardens
68 years ago - Sunday, September 1, 1957 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1958 Historic photo from 1958 - Edwards Gardens in the winter, looking north up Wilket Creek towards Lawrence Ave. East in Edward GardensEdwards Gardens in the winter, looking north up Wilket Creek towards Lawrence Ave. East
67 years ago - 1958 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1958 Historic photo from Sunday, August 3, 1958 - Edwards Gardens bridge and stream in Edward GardensEdwards Gardens bridge and stream
(Categorized under: Bridges )
67 years ago - Sunday, August 3, 1958 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1959 Historic photo from 1959 - Bridge in Edwards Gardens, Toronto in Edward GardensBridge in Edwards Gardens, Toronto
(Categorized under: Bridges )
66 years ago - 1959 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1960 Historic photo from 1960 - Mike Bela Park in North York at the south end of Banbury Road in Edward GardensMike Bela Park in North York at the south end of Banbury Road
65 years ago - 1960 - Edward Gardens at 1 Banbury Road n.w. corner of Leslie and Lawrence Ave East
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1966 Historic photo from 1966 - Wilket Creek horseback riding in the bright yellow fall trees in Edward GardensWilket Creek horseback riding in the bright yellow fall trees
59 years ago - 1966 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1967 Historic photo from 1967 - Colour photograph of the tulips in bloom by the river and bridge. in Edward GardensColour photograph of the tulips in bloom by the river and bridge.
(Categorized under: Bridges )
58 years ago - 1967 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1967 Historic photo from 1967 - Tulips and bridge in the Edwards Gardens in springtime in Edward GardensTulips and bridge in the Edwards Gardens in springtime
58 years ago - 1967 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1970 Historic photo from Wednesday, October 14, 1970 - Edwards Gardens pond, bridge, and rock waterfall in Edward GardensEdwards Gardens pond, bridge, and rock waterfall
55 years ago - Wednesday, October 14, 1970 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1983 Historic photo from Wednesday, May 11, 1983 - Edwards Gardens mini waterfalls in May, 1983 in Edward GardensEdwards Gardens mini waterfalls in May, 1983
42 years ago - Wednesday, May 11, 1983 - Edward Gardens at 755 Lawrence Ave East s.w. corner at Leslie Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)