Historic photos from around Kensington Market, Toronto

In the 1920's the area was known as the Jewish market with many small storefront businesses and shows - furriers, tailors, bakers and fresh food stores. As new waves of immigrants arrived in Toronto they added to the wonderful character of Kensington Market and the neighbouring China Town area along Spadina Ave to the east.

Kensington Market details:

  • Short URL to share for Kensington Market historic photos: wholemap.com/KensingtonMarket
  • Address for Kensington Market: 5 Bellevue Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - M5T 2N4
  • Latitude, Longitude for Kensington Market: 43.6536815823282, -79.4019280002641


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.

 
 

1864 Historic photo from 1864 - St. Stephens-In-The-Fields Anglican Church - designed by Thomas Fuller in a Gothic revival style in Kensington MarketSt. Stephens-In-The-Fields Anglican Church - designed by Thomas Fuller in a Gothic revival style
161 years ago - 1864 - Kensington Market at 103 Bellevue Ave s.e. corner at College Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1865 Historic photo from Thursday, October 26, 1865 - St. Stephens-In-The-Fields Anglican Church after October 26th, 1865 fire in Kensington MarketSt. Stephens-In-The-Fields Anglican Church after October 26th, 1865 fire
160 years ago - Thursday, October 26, 1865 - Kensington Market at 103 Bellevue Ave s.e. corner at College Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1908 Historic photo from 1908 - St. Stephens-in-the-fields Anglican church - rebuilt and expanded by Henry Langley after 1865 fire in Kensington MarketSt. Stephens-in-the-fields Anglican church - rebuilt and expanded by Henry Langley after 1865 fire
117 years ago - 1908 - Kensington Market at 103 Bellevue Ave s.e. corner at College Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1913 Historic photo from Tuesday, October 14, 1913 - Trees and a fountain in Bellevue Square in Kensington MarketTrees and a fountain in Bellevue Square
112 years ago - Tuesday, October 14, 1913 - Kensington Market at 5 Bellevue Ave
Max temp: 15.6°C - Min temp: 1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1919 Historic photo from Tuesday, October 7, 1919 - Boy outside 181 Baldwin St in Kensington MarketBoy outside 181 Baldwin St
106 years ago - Tuesday, October 7, 1919 - Kensington Market at 181 Baldwin Street
Max temp: 15.0°C - Min temp: 5.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1919 Historic photo from Tuesday, October 7, 1919 - Street life outside181 Baldwin St in Kensington MarketStreet life outside181 Baldwin St
106 years ago - Tuesday, October 7, 1919 - Kensington Market at 181 Baldwin Street
Max temp: 15.0°C - Min temp: 5.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from 1920 - John Rydall blacksmith and garage, Oxford St., n.e. cor. Augusta Ave. in Kensington MarketJohn Rydall blacksmith and garage, Oxford St., n.e. cor. Augusta Ave.
105 years ago - 1920 - Kensington Market at 60 Oxford Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1933 Historic photo from Wednesday, October 18, 1933 - Curtains, wood, and carpets at the rear of 81-83 Oxford Street in Kensington MarketCurtains, wood, and carpets at the rear of 81-83 Oxford Street
92 years ago - Wednesday, October 18, 1933 - Kensington Market at 81 Oxford Street
Max temp: 11.1°C - Min temp: 2.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1934 Historic photo from Wednesday, September 19, 1934 - Geese at the rear of 184-1/2 Baldwin Street in Kensington MarketGeese at the rear of 184-1/2 Baldwin Street
91 years ago - Wednesday, September 19, 1934 - Kensington Market at 184 Baldwin Street
Max temp: 20.0°C - Min temp: 9.4°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1943 Historic photo from Thursday, July 22, 1943 - 77-79 Nassau Street in 1943 in Kensington Market77-79 Nassau Street in 1943
82 years ago - Thursday, July 22, 1943 - Kensington Market at 77 Nassau Street
Max temp: 25.0°C - Min temp: 16.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1953 Historic photo from 1953 - Beth Lida Synagogue - for Sale - Cong. Shearith Israel Anshei Lida in Hebrew above the door - 239 Augusta Avenue in Kensington MarketBeth Lida Synagogue - for Sale - Cong. Shearith Israel Anshei Lida in Hebrew above the door - 239 Augusta Avenue
(Categorized under: Churches and other places of worship --- Portraits )
72 years ago - 1953 - Kensington Market at 239 Augusta Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1954 Historic photo from Sunday, May 2, 1954 - Kensington Stores - Star Service stores, McGuires Appliances (Spadina and Baldwin) in Kensington MarketKensington Stores - Star Service stores, McGuires Appliances (Spadina and Baldwin)
71 years ago - Sunday, May 2, 1954 - Kensington Market
Max temp: 22.2°C - Min temp: 14.4°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1955 Historic photo from Thursday, April 28, 1955 - Joes Fruit Market in Kensington Market on Nassau and Augusta - The Orange Man in Kensington MarketJoes Fruit Market in Kensington Market on Nassau and Augusta - The Orange Man
70 years ago - Thursday, April 28, 1955 - Kensington Market at 234 Augusta Ave n.w. corner at Nassau Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1957 Historic photo from 1957 - Inspecting baskets of peaches in Kensington Market - across from Victors Confectionery at 206 August Ave (?) in Kensington MarketInspecting baskets of peaches in Kensington Market - across from Victors Confectionery at 206 August Ave (?)
68 years ago - 1957 - Kensington Market at 206 Augusta Ave at Baldwin
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1963 Historic photo from 1963 - Street life and cars in Kensington Market in Kensington MarketStreet life and cars in Kensington Market
62 years ago - 1963 - Kensington Market
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1965 Historic photo from Sunday, October 10, 1965 - Kensington fruit market - hanging bananas - looking east to Spadina along St. Andrews from Kensington Ave - house is now missing top dormers in Kensington MarketKensington fruit market - hanging bananas - looking east to Spadina along St. Andrews from Kensington Ave - house is now missing top dormers
(Categorized under: Portraits )
60 years ago - Sunday, October 10, 1965 - Kensington Market at 29 Saint Andrew Street s.e corner at Kensington Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1970 Historic photo from 1970 - Live chickens and fresh eggs outside 253 Augusta Ave - Kensington Market 1964-1974 in Kensington MarketLive chickens and fresh eggs outside 253 Augusta Ave - Kensington Market 1964-1974
55 years ago - 1970 - Kensington Market at 253 Augusta Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1994 Historic photo from Friday, November 11, 1994 - Sneaky Dee's - Starkweather live on stage in Toronto in 1994 (video of 3 songs) in Kensington MarketSneaky Dee's - Starkweather live on stage in Toronto in 1994 (video of 3 songs)
(Categorized under: Live music )
31 years ago - Friday, November 11, 1994 - Kensington Market at 431 College Street
Link to archive record - Map location
1994 Historic photo from Saturday, December 31, 1994 - Sneaky Dee's - The Sadies live on stage in Toronto NYE 1994 with Dallas Good (18 minute video) in Kensington MarketSneaky Dee's - The Sadies live on stage in Toronto NYE 1994 with Dallas Good (18 minute video)
(Categorized under: Live music )
31 years ago - Saturday, December 31, 1994 - Kensington Market at 431 College Street
Link to archive record - Map location