Historic photos from around High Park, Toronto

High Park is the largest park in Toronto, at 1.61 square kms (398 acres). It is a wonderful combination of natural forest, ravines, and an open oak savannah habitat, Grenadier Pond, ornamental gardens, playing fields & childrens playgrounds. There is even a zoo along Deer Pen Road with American bison, Emu, llamas, peacocks, Fallow deer, wallaby, capybara, Highland cattle, yaks, Barbary sheep, and Mouflon sheep. The initial property for the park was given to the City of Toronto in 1873 by John George Howard and his wife, who are burried under a monument across from their Colborne Lodge. Additional land for the park came from Percival Ridout and the Chapman estate.

Additional neighbourhoods nearby:



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.
1870 Historic photo from 1870 - High Park Gate - Watercolour by John Howard looking north up to Colborne Lodge in High Park in High ParkHigh Park Gate - Watercolour by John Howard looking north up to Colborne Lodge in High Park
(Categorized under: Ornamental gate )
155 years ago - 1870 - High Park at 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1875 Historic photo from Thursday, November 18, 1875 - St. Pauls Cathedral iron gate at Colborne Lodge - Illustrated guide to Toronto by way of Niagara Falls in High ParkSt. Pauls Cathedral iron gate at Colborne Lodge - Illustrated guide to Toronto by way of Niagara Falls
150 years ago - Thursday, November 18, 1875 - High Park at 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Max temp: 4.4°C - Min temp: -4.4°C - 0.3cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location
1890 Historic photo from 1890 - Railway crossing at the south end of the park in High ParkRailway crossing at the south end of the park
135 years ago - 1890 - High Park at Colborne Lodge Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1890 Historic photo from 1890 - Howard Cottage, High Park, Toronto in High ParkHoward Cottage, High Park, Toronto
135 years ago - 1890 - High Park at 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1890 Historic photo from 1890 - Bell's Hotel, s.w. cor. Bloor & Dundas Sts. W., showing Brown's Tally-ho (fast horse-drawn coach) in High ParkBell's Hotel, s.w. cor. Bloor & Dundas Sts. W., showing Brown's Tally-ho (fast horse-drawn coach)
(Categorized under: Hotels )
135 years ago - 1890 - High Park at 1525 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Colborne Lodge in High Park - art gallery in High ParkColborne Lodge in High Park - art gallery
125 years ago - 1900 - High Park at 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Colborne Lodge art gallery in High Park; interior showing paintings up to the ceiling in High ParkColborne Lodge art gallery in High Park; interior showing paintings up to the ceiling
125 years ago - 1900 - High Park at 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1907 Historic photo from 1907 - Women getting ready to skate on Grenadier Pond with shoes and coats in the trees in High ParkWomen getting ready to skate on Grenadier Pond with shoes and coats in the trees
118 years ago - 1907 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1907 Historic photo from 1907 - Sunnyside Villa (now the site of St. Josephs Health Centre) in High ParkSunnyside Villa (now the site of St. Josephs Health Centre)
118 years ago - 1907 - High Park at 30 The Queensway
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908 Historic photo from 1908 - Buffalo in High Park zoo along Deer Pen road in High ParkBuffalo in High Park zoo along Deer Pen road
117 years ago - 1908 - High Park at Deer Pen Road in High Park
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908 Historic photo from 1908 - Reindeer at fence in the High Park zoo in High ParkReindeer at fence in the High Park zoo
117 years ago - 1908 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1909 Historic photo from 1909 - Men and horses cutting ice on Grenadier Pond in High ParkMen and horses cutting ice on Grenadier Pond
116 years ago - 1909 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1909 Historic photo from 1909 - Deer and buffalo corral with bike rider - High Park Zoo in High ParkDeer and buffalo corral with bike rider - High Park Zoo
116 years ago - 1909 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1910 Historic photo from 1910 - Toboggan runs built in the park in High ParkToboggan runs built in the park
115 years ago - 1910 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from 1912 - Colborne Lodge, High Park, southeast elevation in High ParkColborne Lodge, High Park, southeast elevation
113 years ago - 1912 - High Park at 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from Thursday, November 28, 1912 - Keele Street and Indian Road looking north in High ParkKeele Street and Indian Road looking north
113 years ago - Thursday, November 28, 1912 - High Park at Indian Road
Max temp: 2.2°C - Min temp: -5.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1913 Historic photo from 1913 - Crowds around the High Park mineral baths just north of Bloor St in High ParkCrowds around the High Park mineral baths just north of Bloor St
112 years ago - 1913 - High Park at 22 Gothic Ave n.w. of Bloor Street West and Quebec Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914 Historic photo from 1914 - Howard Memorial Gate, High Park - Parkview Mansion at Roncesvalles in the distance? in High ParkHoward Memorial Gate, High Park - Parkview Mansion at Roncesvalles in the distance?
(Categorized under: Howard Memorial Gates )
111 years ago - 1914 - High Park at 198 Parkside Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1914 Historic photo from Saturday, February 14, 1914 - Women snow shoeing, High Park in High ParkWomen snow shoeing, High Park
111 years ago - Saturday, February 14, 1914 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Max temp: -10.0°C - Min temp: -15.0°C - 1.0cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914 Historic photo from Saturday, February 14, 1914 - Ski jump, High Park in High ParkSki jump, High Park
111 years ago - Saturday, February 14, 1914 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Max temp: -10.0°C - Min temp: -15.0°C - 1.0cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914 Historic photo from Thursday, March 19, 1914 - Opening of High Park gates - Canadas governor general, the Duke of Connaught in High ParkOpening of High Park gates - Canadas governor general, the Duke of Connaught
(Categorized under: Howard Memorial Gates )
111 years ago - Thursday, March 19, 1914 - High Park at 198 Parkside Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914 Historic photo from Thursday, March 19, 1914 - Duke of Connaught opens High Park gates in High ParkDuke of Connaught opens High Park gates
(Categorized under: Howard Memorial Gates )
111 years ago - Thursday, March 19, 1914 - High Park at 198 Parkside Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915 Historic photo from Saturday, May 8, 1915 - High Park - Tulip Beds in High ParkHigh Park - Tulip Beds
110 years ago - Saturday, May 8, 1915 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Max temp: 20.0°C - Min temp: 6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915 Historic photo from Saturday, May 8, 1915 - High Park tulip beds with buildings in the background in High ParkHigh Park tulip beds with buildings in the background
110 years ago - Saturday, May 8, 1915 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Max temp: 20.0°C - Min temp: 6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1916 Historic photo from Friday, January 7, 1916 - Hockey game at sunset on the pond in High Park (maybe Catfish Pond just west?) in High ParkHockey game at sunset on the pond in High Park (maybe Catfish Pond just west?)
109 years ago - Friday, January 7, 1916 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1917 Historic photo from Wednesday, June 13, 1917 - High Park Forest School - weighing children in High ParkHigh Park Forest School - weighing children
(Categorized under: Schools )
108 years ago - Wednesday, June 13, 1917 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1918 Historic photo from Thursday, January 31, 1918 - Edna Boyd on Geoffrey Street in the winter in High ParkEdna Boyd on Geoffrey Street in the winter
107 years ago - Thursday, January 31, 1918 - High Park at Geoffrey Street just east of Parkside Dr
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1918 Historic photo from Saturday, February 9, 1918 - Horse drawn sled entering Howard Gates to High Park in High ParkHorse drawn sled entering Howard Gates to High Park
(Categorized under: Howard Memorial Gates )
107 years ago - Saturday, February 9, 1918 - High Park at 195 Parkside Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1919 Historic photo from 1919 - Traffic in the High Park zoo - high class cars and tin lizzies in High ParkTraffic in the High Park zoo - high class cars and tin lizzies
106 years ago - 1919 - High Park at Deer Pen Road in High Park
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1919 Historic photo from Thursday, July 17, 1919 - Roncesvalles Avenue south at Grafton Avenue in High ParkRoncesvalles Avenue south at Grafton Avenue
106 years ago - Thursday, July 17, 1919 - High Park at 27 Roncesvalles Ave
Max temp: 31.1°C - Min temp: 12.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921 Historic photo from Saturday, April 2, 1921 - High Park fence from St. Pauls Cathedral, London, England in High ParkHigh Park fence from St. Pauls Cathedral, London, England
(Categorized under: Ornamental gate )
104 years ago - Saturday, April 2, 1921 - High Park at 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Max temp: 17.8°C - Min temp: 0.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921 Historic photo from Saturday, April 2, 1921 - Howard monument, High Park in High ParkHoward monument, High Park
(Categorized under: Ornamental gate )
104 years ago - Saturday, April 2, 1921 - High Park at 11 Colborne Lodge Drive
Max temp: 17.8°C - Min temp: 0.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1923 Historic photo from Sunday, December 23, 1923 - Night scene - Howard Memorial Gate in High ParkNight scene - Howard Memorial Gate
(Categorized under: Howard Memorial Gates )
102 years ago - Sunday, December 23, 1923 - High Park at 198 Parkside Drive
Max temp: 4.4°C - Min temp: -1.7°C - 7.4cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1925 Historic photo from Friday, December 25, 1925 - Christmas day horses at the Howard Memorial Gates in High ParkChristmas day horses at the Howard Memorial Gates
(Categorized under: Howard Memorial Gates )
100 years ago - Friday, December 25, 1925 - High Park at 198 Parkside Drive
Max temp: -2.8°C - Min temp: -11.1°C - 5.1cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1926 Historic photo from Wednesday, May 26, 1926 - Baby Hog deer fawn (24 hours old) in High Park Zoo in High ParkBaby Hog deer fawn (24 hours old) in High Park Zoo
99 years ago - Wednesday, May 26, 1926 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Max temp: 16.7°C - Min temp: 6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929 Historic photo from Wednesday, July 10, 1929 - Mother and baby feeding ducks in the High Park Zoo in High ParkMother and baby feeding ducks in the High Park Zoo
96 years ago - Wednesday, July 10, 1929 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929 Historic photo from Tuesday, September 24, 1929 - High Park duck and goose pond in High ParkHigh Park duck and goose pond
96 years ago - Tuesday, September 24, 1929 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Max temp: 23.3°C - Min temp: 8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929 Historic photo from Tuesday, September 24, 1929 - A black stork (Ciconia nigra) in the stork family Ciconiidae in the High Park Zoo in High ParkA black stork (Ciconia nigra) in the stork family Ciconiidae in the High Park Zoo
96 years ago - Tuesday, September 24, 1929 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Max temp: 23.3°C - Min temp: 8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1931 Historic photo from Thursday, August 6, 1931 - Howard Memorial Gates in High ParkHoward Memorial Gates
(Categorized under: Howard Memorial Gates )
94 years ago - Thursday, August 6, 1931 - High Park at 198 Parkside Drive
Max temp: 33.3°C - Min temp: 18.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1931 Historic photo from Thursday, August 6, 1931 - Howard Memorial Gates, High Park Boulevard in High ParkHoward Memorial Gates, High Park Boulevard
(Categorized under: Howard Memorial Gates )
94 years ago - Thursday, August 6, 1931 - High Park at 198 Parkside Drive
Max temp: 33.3°C - Min temp: 18.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1936 Historic photo from Friday, May 1, 1936 - Stone gate, wooden fence, and house behind on Constance and Parkside in High ParkStone gate, wooden fence, and house behind on Constance and Parkside
(Categorized under: Ornamental gate )
89 years ago - Friday, May 1, 1936 - High Park at 35 High Park Gardens
Max temp: 18.9°C - Min temp: 9.4°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1946 Historic photo from Sunday, May 26, 1946 - High Park Zoo in 1946, with cars and a truck on Deer Pen Road in High ParkHigh Park Zoo in 1946, with cars and a truck on Deer Pen Road
79 years ago - Sunday, May 26, 1946 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1948 Historic photo from Sunday, June 6, 1948 - Barbary Sheep (Ammotragus lervia also known as Aoudad) in the High Park zoo in High ParkBarbary Sheep (Ammotragus lervia also known as Aoudad) in the High Park zoo
77 years ago - Sunday, June 6, 1948 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1952 Historic photo from 1952 - High Park pavilion with two-story-tall towers - destroyed by fire in February 1958 in High ParkHigh Park pavilion with two-story-tall towers - destroyed by fire in February 1958
73 years ago - 1952 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1953 Historic photo from 1953 - Various animals in the High Park Zoo in the 1950s in High ParkVarious animals in the High Park Zoo in the 1950s
72 years ago - 1953 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1953 Historic photo from Tuesday, March 10, 1953 - Looking down into the ravine at the High Park Zoo along Deer Pen Road in High ParkLooking down into the ravine at the High Park Zoo along Deer Pen Road
72 years ago - Tuesday, March 10, 1953 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1956 Historic photo from 1956 - High Park Pavilion with ornate towers in High ParkHigh Park Pavilion with ornate towers
69 years ago - 1956 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1959 Historic photo from 1959 - Gathering near the Maple Leaf circle - High Park, Toronto in High ParkGathering near the Maple Leaf circle - High Park, Toronto
66 years ago - 1959 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1960 Historic photo from 1960 - Bactrian camel in High Park Zoo in the 1950s or 1960s in High ParkBactrian camel in High Park Zoo in the 1950s or 1960s
65 years ago - 1960 - High Park at 29 Deer Pen Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1967 Historic photo from 1967 - 16 photos of sculptor Wessel Couzijn installing Midsummer Nights Dream in High Park16 photos of sculptor Wessel Couzijn installing Midsummer Nights Dream
58 years ago - 1967 - High Park at 1873 Bloor Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)