Historic photos from around Riverdale park, Toronto

On either side of the Don River, just south of Bloor Street and the Danforth, is Riverdale Park. Divided by the Don Valley Parkway (DVP), Riverdale Park East has a running track, three soccer fields, and a baseball diamond. This half of the park was originally owned by John Scadding (who's 1840 cabin from this area was moved to the CNE grounds). It has long been a popular tobogganing site in the winter, and has been used for military parades as well as sports. Riverdale Park West is directly south of the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery, with the Riverdale Farm (previously the Riverdale Zoo) on the far west side of the park

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.
1872 Historic photo from 1872 - Henry Langley sketch: Chapel, Superintendants Lodge and Toronto Necropolis; elevations, plans and sections in Riverdale parkHenry Langley sketch: Chapel, Superintendants Lodge and Toronto Necropolis; elevations, plans and sections
(Categorized under: Architectural drawings )
153 years ago - 1872 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1878 Historic photo from 1878 - Castle Frank history - from the book Toronto of Old in Riverdale parkCastle Frank history - from the book Toronto of Old
147 years ago - 1878 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location
1878 Historic photo from 1878 - Drumsnab Estate overlooking the Don River from the book Toronto of Old in Riverdale parkDrumsnab Estate overlooking the Don River from the book Toronto of Old
147 years ago - 1878 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location
1895 Historic photo from 1895 - East end of Winchester Street showing Belt Line - now in RIverdale Park in Riverdale parkEast end of Winchester Street showing Belt Line - now in RIverdale Park
(Categorized under: Belt Line trail )
130 years ago - 1895 - Riverdale park at 201 Winchester Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1895 Historic photo from 1895 - Winchester Street bridge over the Don River and Belt Line in Riverdale parkWinchester Street bridge over the Don River and Belt Line
(Categorized under: Belt Line trail )
130 years ago - 1895 - Riverdale park at 201 Winchester Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1899 Historic photo from Friday, February 24, 1899 - After the breaking up of the Don River : entrance to Rosedale Creek sewer in Riverdale parkAfter the breaking up of the Don River : entrance to Rosedale Creek sewer
126 years ago - Friday, February 24, 1899 - Riverdale park
Max temp: -3.3°C - Min temp: -11.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1900 Historic photo from Friday, February 9, 1900 - After the breakup of the Don River looking north from Gerrard Street bridge showing flooding in Riverdale Park East - Toronto Necropolis in distance in Riverdale parkAfter the breakup of the Don River looking north from Gerrard Street bridge showing flooding in Riverdale Park East - Toronto Necropolis in distance
125 years ago - Friday, February 9, 1900 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 8.9°C - Min temp: -6.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1905 Historic photo from 1905 - Bridge over the Don River leading to the zoo. Childrens Hospital on hill to the right. Don Jail beyond that. in Riverdale parkBridge over the Don River leading to the zoo. Childrens Hospital on hill to the right. Don Jail beyond that.
120 years ago - 1905 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1907 Historic photo from 1907 - Carrying dynamite to blow up Riverdale Park, Broadview Avenue in Riverdale parkCarrying dynamite to blow up Riverdale Park, Broadview Avenue
118 years ago - 1907 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1909 Historic photo from 1909 - Flowers along the Don River, near Riverdale park with Gerrard St. Bridge in background in Riverdale parkFlowers along the Don River, near Riverdale park with Gerrard St. Bridge in background
(Categorized under: Bridges )
116 years ago - 1909 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1912 Historic photo from Saturday, May 11, 1912 - Standing on the bridge over the Don looking west to Riverdale park in Riverdale parkStanding on the bridge over the Don looking west to Riverdale park
113 years ago - Saturday, May 11, 1912 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from Saturday, May 11, 1912 - Riverdale Park : looking north on east side of Don River in Riverdale parkRiverdale Park : looking north on east side of Don River
113 years ago - Saturday, May 11, 1912 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from Saturday, May 11, 1912 - Riverdale Park : looking northwest from near Gerrard St in Riverdale parkRiverdale Park : looking northwest from near Gerrard St
113 years ago - Saturday, May 11, 1912 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from Saturday, May 11, 1912 - Riverdale Zoo Park : duck pond when nearly dry in Riverdale parkRiverdale Zoo Park : duck pond when nearly dry
113 years ago - Saturday, May 11, 1912 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from Saturday, November 9, 1912 - General view of Riverdale Park east side of Don river and playing field in Riverdale parkGeneral view of Riverdale Park east side of Don river and playing field
113 years ago - Saturday, November 9, 1912 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 8.9°C - Min temp: 2.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1913 Historic photo from 1913 - Riverdale Park free skating rink with the Necropolis in the background in Riverdale parkRiverdale Park free skating rink with the Necropolis in the background
112 years ago - 1913 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914 Historic photo from Saturday, January 17, 1914 - Winter tobogganing along Broadview in Riverdale parkWinter tobogganing along Broadview
111 years ago - Saturday, January 17, 1914 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 0.6°C - Min temp: -10.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914 Historic photo from Saturday, July 4, 1914 - Looking across Riverdale Zoo to a general view of games in Riverdale Park in Riverdale parkLooking across Riverdale Zoo to a general view of games in Riverdale Park
111 years ago - Saturday, July 4, 1914 - Riverdale park at 375 Sumach Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1914 Historic photo from Friday, July 10, 1914 - Group of men on site building the Bloor Street Viaduct, from Drumsnab Road with Riverdale Park behind them in Riverdale parkGroup of men on site building the Bloor Street Viaduct, from Drumsnab Road with Riverdale Park behind them
111 years ago - Friday, July 10, 1914 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 29.4°C - Min temp: 16.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1917 Historic photo from Friday, June 1, 1917 - Riverdale Park foot bridge looking west, (Watchmans House left corner) in Riverdale parkRiverdale Park foot bridge looking west, (Watchmans House left corner)
108 years ago - Friday, June 1, 1917 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 11.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1922 Historic photo from Friday, May 12, 1922 - Riverdale Zoo Park - waterfowl in the lower pond in Riverdale parkRiverdale Zoo Park - waterfowl in the lower pond
(Categorized under: Bridges )
103 years ago - Friday, May 12, 1922 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 19.4°C - Min temp: 10.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1922 Historic photo from Saturday, May 13, 1922 - Riverdale Park - panorama looking east in Riverdale parkRiverdale Park - panorama looking east
103 years ago - Saturday, May 13, 1922 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 7.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1923 Historic photo from 1923 - The elephants at the Riverdale Zoo, Toronto in Riverdale parkThe elephants at the Riverdale Zoo, Toronto
102 years ago - 1923 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1924 Historic photo from Saturday, August 16, 1924 - Panorama of lawn tennis courts in Riverdale Park, east side in Riverdale parkPanorama of lawn tennis courts in Riverdale Park, east side
101 years ago - Saturday, August 16, 1924 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 22.8°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1925 Historic photo from 1925 - Riverdale Park - looking north-east across the duck pond in Riverdale parkRiverdale Park - looking north-east across the duck pond
100 years ago - 1925 - Riverdale park
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1925 Historic photo from Friday, May 29, 1925 - Riverdale Zoo enclosures (Motor Coach Department) in Riverdale parkRiverdale Zoo enclosures (Motor Coach Department)
100 years ago - Friday, May 29, 1925 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 19.4°C - Min temp: 10.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1926 Historic photo from Wednesday, May 26, 1926 - Polar bear cubs, Riverdale Zoo in Riverdale parkPolar bear cubs, Riverdale Zoo
99 years ago - Wednesday, May 26, 1926 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 16.7°C - Min temp: 6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1955 Historic photo from Sunday, December 25, 1955 - Necropolis Cemetery - High Victorian Gothic architecture by Henry Langley - 200 Winchester St. in Riverdale parkNecropolis Cemetery - High Victorian Gothic architecture by Henry Langley - 200 Winchester St.
70 years ago - Sunday, December 25, 1955 - Riverdale park
Max temp: 2.2°C - Min temp: -1.7°C - 4.0cm of snow on the ground (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)