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		Areal photo of the gardens property in the 1950s 74 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		A bridge in Edwards Gardens, Originally Rupert Edwards Springbrook Farm (Categorized under: Bridges ) 69 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 Still not back as of March 2024)
1955		Milne Cemetery in Edwards Gardens 69 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 Still not back as of March 2024)
1956		Opening day Edwards Gardens, June 23, 1956, Chirnside family, and fountain looking towards original farm house 68 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 Still not back as of March 2024)
1957		People enjoying the lawns, bridge, and flowers in Edwards Gardens 67 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 Still not back as of March 2024)
1958		Edwards Gardens in the winter, looking north up Wilket Creek towards Lawrence Ave. East 66 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 Still not back as of March 2024)
1958		Edwards Gardens bridge and stream (Categorized under: Bridges ) 66 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		Bridge in Edwards Gardens, Toronto (Categorized under: Bridges ) 65 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		Mike Bela Park in North York at the south end of Banbury Road 64 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		Wilket Creek horseback riding in the bright yellow fall trees 58 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		Colour photograph of the tulips in bloom by the river and bridge. (Categorized under: Bridges ) 57 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		Tulips and bridge in the Edwards Gardens in springtime 57 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		Edwards Gardens pond, bridge, and rock waterfall 54 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 Still not back as of March 2024)
1983		Edwards Gardens mini waterfalls in May, 1983 41 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 Still not back as of March 2024)