Historic photos from around Liberty Village, Toronto

A relatively new name for the east side of Parkdale, Liberty Village is a trendy mixed-use neighbourhood with a very different past. Much of the heavy industrial buildings are now gone (or turned into loft apartments) and replaced with condo developments, office buildings, restaurants and bars. Its location, just west of downtown Toronto, minutes from the lake, has lead to its recent popularity.

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.
1860 Historic photo from 1860 - Crystal Palace (1858-1879), King St. W., n. side, in present Sudbury St. before being moved to the CNE grounds in Liberty VillageCrystal Palace (1858-1879), King St. W., n. side, in present Sudbury St. before being moved to the CNE grounds
166 years ago - 1860 - Liberty Village at 1044 King Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1867 Historic photo from 1867 - Crystal Palace, King St., Toronto, erected 1857 (used as Provincial Exhibition space, and after 1866 as 13th Hussars Barracks) in Liberty VillageCrystal Palace, King St., Toronto, erected 1857 (used as Provincial Exhibition space, and after 1866 as 13th Hussars Barracks)
159 years ago - 1867 - Liberty Village at 1044 King Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Diamond Park - baseball - Liberty St., s.e. cor. Fraser Ave. w/ Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women in distance? in Liberty VillageDiamond Park - baseball - Liberty St., s.e. cor. Fraser Ave. w/ Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women in distance?
126 years ago - 1900 - Liberty Village at 135 Liberty Street s.e. corner at Fraser Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Birds eye sketch of the Pressed Metal Factory building at King and Dufferin Streets from their 1900 catalogue in Liberty VillageBirds eye sketch of the Pressed Metal Factory building at King and Dufferin Streets from their 1900 catalogue
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
126 years ago - 1900 - Liberty Village at 1192 King Street West
Link to archive record - Map location
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Draughting room - Pressed Metal Builiding - Pressed Metal Co 1900 catalogue in Liberty VillageDraughting room - Pressed Metal Builiding - Pressed Metal Co 1900 catalogue
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
126 years ago - 1900 - Liberty Village
Link to archive record - Map location
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Draughting room - Pressed Metal Builiding - Pressed Metal Co 1900 catalogue in Liberty VillageDraughting room - Pressed Metal Builiding - Pressed Metal Co 1900 catalogue
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
126 years ago - 1900 - Liberty Village
Link to archive record - Map location
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - General Office with manual typewriter and safe- Pressed Metal Builiding - Pressed Metal Co 1900 catalogue in Liberty VillageGeneral Office with manual typewriter and safe- Pressed Metal Builiding - Pressed Metal Co 1900 catalogue
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
126 years ago - 1900 - Liberty Village
Link to archive record - Map location
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Managers Private Office - Pressed Metal Builiding - Pressed Metal Co 1900 catalogue in Liberty VillageManagers Private Office - Pressed Metal Builiding - Pressed Metal Co 1900 catalogue
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
126 years ago - 1900 - Liberty Village
Link to archive record - Map location
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Metallic Roofing Co of Canada Catalogue S - 1900 in Liberty VillageMetallic Roofing Co of Canada Catalogue S - 1900
(Categorized under: Metallic roofing catalogue )
126 years ago - 1900 - Liberty Village at 1192 King Street West at Park Road
Link to archive record - Map location
1907 Historic photo from 1907 - Eastern Baseball League, opening game of season at Diamond Park, Liberty St., s.e. cor. Fraser Ave. in Liberty VillageEastern Baseball League, opening game of season at Diamond Park, Liberty St., s.e. cor. Fraser Ave.
119 years ago - 1907 - Liberty Village at 135 Liberty Street s.e. corner at Fraser Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1912 Historic photo from Friday, January 19, 1912 - Pressed Metal Factory building at King and Dufferin Streets looking east in Liberty VillagePressed Metal Factory building at King and Dufferin Streets looking east
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
114 years ago - Friday, January 19, 1912 - Liberty Village at 1192 King Street West
Max temp: 3.3°C - Min temp: -12.8°C - 4.8cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915 Historic photo from 1915 - Bombs stored on Liberty Street, looking east from Dufferin Street in Liberty VillageBombs stored on Liberty Street, looking east from Dufferin Street
111 years ago - 1915 - Liberty Village at 199 Liberty Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915 Historic photo from Thursday, April 29, 1915 - King Street West subway at Sudbury in Liberty VillageKing Street West subway at Sudbury
111 years ago - Thursday, April 29, 1915 - Liberty Village at 1044 King Street West
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 11.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1918 Historic photo from 1918 - Munitions workers line up for last pay, southeast corner of King and Dufferin streets across from Metallic Roofing Co in Liberty VillageMunitions workers line up for last pay, southeast corner of King and Dufferin streets across from Metallic Roofing Co
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
108 years ago - 1918 - Liberty Village at 1192 King Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from 1920 - Aerial view of Liberty Village with Massey-Harris plant, Provincial Lunatic Asylum, Mercer Reformatory and the former Central Prison in Liberty VillageAerial view of Liberty Village with Massey-Harris plant, Provincial Lunatic Asylum, Mercer Reformatory and the former Central Prison
106 years ago - 1920 - Liberty Village at 135 Liberty Street approximately
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1927 Historic photo from Wednesday, April 6, 1927 - Railroad illumination tower at Strachan Avenue in Liberty VillageRailroad illumination tower at Strachan Avenue
99 years ago - Wednesday, April 6, 1927 - Liberty Village at 48 Strachan Ave
Max temp: 17.2°C - Min temp: 1.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1942 Historic photo from Friday, February 27, 1942 - Major General Whang Ping-hing inspecting Bren gun during visit of Chinese officials to John Inglis Co., Ltd. in Liberty VillageMajor General Whang Ping-hing inspecting Bren gun during visit of Chinese officials to John Inglis Co., Ltd.
84 years ago - Friday, February 27, 1942 - Liberty Village at 37 Hanna Ave s.e. corner at East Liberty Street (now Liberty Market Building)
Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: -6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1942 Historic photo from Friday, February 27, 1942 - Visit of Chinese officials to John Inglis Co., Ltd. in Liberty VillageVisit of Chinese officials to John Inglis Co., Ltd.
84 years ago - Friday, February 27, 1942 - Liberty Village at 37 Hanna Ave s.e. corner at East Liberty Street (now Liberty Market Building)
Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: -6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1943 Historic photo from Friday, August 20, 1943 - Chinese General P. Kiang and June Pattison, Miss Inglis, posing with Bren gun outside plant at 100,000th Bren gun ceremony, John Inglis Co., Ltd. in Liberty VillageChinese General P. Kiang and June Pattison, Miss Inglis, posing with Bren gun outside plant at 100,000th Bren gun ceremony, John Inglis Co., Ltd.
83 years ago - Friday, August 20, 1943 - Liberty Village at 37 Hanna Ave s.e. corner at East Liberty Street (now Liberty Market Building)
Max temp: 24.4°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1943 Historic photo from Friday, August 20, 1943 - Chinese official at 100,000th Bren gun ceremony, John Inglis Co., Ltd. in Liberty VillageChinese official at 100,000th Bren gun ceremony, John Inglis Co., Ltd.
83 years ago - Friday, August 20, 1943 - Liberty Village at 37 Hanna Ave s.e. corner at East Liberty Street (now Liberty Market Building)
Max temp: 24.4°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1943 Historic photo from Friday, August 20, 1943 - Band waiting in shorts at the 100,000th Bren gun ceremony, John Inglis Co., Ltd. in Liberty VillageBand waiting in shorts at the 100,000th Bren gun ceremony, John Inglis Co., Ltd.
83 years ago - Friday, August 20, 1943 - Liberty Village at 37 Hanna Ave s.e. corner at East Liberty Street (now Liberty Market Building)
Max temp: 24.4°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1944 Historic photo from Monday, January 24, 1944 - Lord Halifax and to his left Major J E Hahn watching female war workers at John Inglis Co., Ltd. in Liberty VillageLord Halifax and to his left Major J E Hahn watching female war workers at John Inglis Co., Ltd.
82 years ago - Monday, January 24, 1944 - Liberty Village at 37 Hanna Ave s.e. corner at East Liberty Street (now Liberty Market Building)
Max temp: 1.7°C - Min temp: -6.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1945 Historic photo from Monday, May 7, 1945 - V-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) - 25 Gwynne Avenue - Corporal E.B. Jamieson, Private Allan Brown in Liberty VillageV-E Day (Victory in Europe Day) - 25 Gwynne Avenue - Corporal E.B. Jamieson, Private Allan Brown
81 years ago - Monday, May 7, 1945 - Liberty Village at 25 Gwynne Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1982 Historic photo from Sunday, September 5, 1982 - Metallic Roofing Showroom behind Teperman hoardings in Liberty VillageMetallic Roofing Showroom behind Teperman hoardings
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
44 years ago - Sunday, September 5, 1982 - Liberty Village at 1192 King Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1983 Historic photo from Thursday, May 5, 1983 - Looking west along E Liberty St to the Irwin Toys building on Hanna Ave (now the Toy Factory Lofts) in Liberty VillageLooking west along E Liberty St to the Irwin Toys building on Hanna Ave (now the Toy Factory Lofts)
43 years ago - Thursday, May 5, 1983 - Liberty Village at 43 Hanna Ave
Max temp: 12.8°C - Min temp: 4.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Collations Flickr stream)
1983 Historic photo from Sunday, July 24, 1983 - From atop 53 Fraser Ave - July 24, 1983 in Liberty VillageFrom atop 53 Fraser Ave - July 24, 1983
43 years ago - Sunday, July 24, 1983 - Liberty Village at 53 Fraser Ave
Max temp: 26.0°C - Min temp: 19.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Collations Flickr stream)
1983 Historic photo from Sunday, July 24, 1983 - From atop 53 Fraser Ave - Looking south-east, with Exhibition Stadium in the background in Liberty VillageFrom atop 53 Fraser Ave - Looking south-east, with Exhibition Stadium in the background
43 years ago - Sunday, July 24, 1983 - Liberty Village at 53 Fraser Ave
Max temp: 26.0°C - Min temp: 19.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location
1983 Historic photo from Sunday, November 27, 1983 - Metallic Roofing Co showroom built in 1897 - Henry Simpson, Architect - 1192 King St W in Liberty VillageMetallic Roofing Co showroom built in 1897 - Henry Simpson, Architect - 1192 King St W
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
43 years ago - Sunday, November 27, 1983 - Liberty Village at 1192 King Street West
Max temp: 4.9°C - Min temp: 1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Collations Flickr stream)
1983 Historic photo from Sunday, November 27, 1983 - One end of Metallic Roofing Co showroom - now gone - 1192 King St W in Liberty VillageOne end of Metallic Roofing Co showroom - now gone - 1192 King St W
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
43 years ago - Sunday, November 27, 1983 - Liberty Village at 1192 King Street West
Max temp: 4.9°C - Min temp: 1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Collations Flickr stream)
1983 Historic photo from Sunday, November 27, 1983 - Central section of the Metallic Roofing Co showroom - bikes $25.00 and up sign in Liberty VillageCentral section of the Metallic Roofing Co showroom - bikes $25.00 and up sign
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
43 years ago - Sunday, November 27, 1983 - Liberty Village at 1192 King Street West
Max temp: 4.9°C - Min temp: 1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Collations Flickr stream)
1987 Historic photo from 1987 - Metallic Roofing Co. of Canada - moved to Lamport Stadium in Liberty VillageMetallic Roofing Co. of Canada - moved to Lamport Stadium
(Categorized under: Metalic roofing showroom )
39 years ago - 1987 - Liberty Village at 1155 King Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)