Historic photos from around Summerhill, Toronto

The name Summerhill is an excellent reminder of how the City of Toronto grew - in the mid-1800's rich Torontonian's built summer homes along the ancient Iroquois Shoreline running east west, parallel to Davenport Road. The Summerhill neighbourhood is named after the 'Summer House' built by Charles Thompson (designed by architect John Howard) in 1842 on the 200 acre lot running east from Yonge Street to the ravine. The area was eventually turned into the "Summer Hill Spring Park and Pleasure Grounds" with rides, games, a swimming pool, and a popular dancehall in the original house. All that remains today is Summerhill Avenue which was the original entrance to the property, and the Summer Hill Coach House (from 1865).

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 - Last Toll Gate on Yonge St., n. of Marlborough Ave. in SummerhillLast Toll Gate on Yonge St., n. of Marlborough Ave.
(Categorized under: Ornamental gate )
155 years ago - 1870 - Summerhill at 1162 Yonge Street north of Marlborough Ave.
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1876 Historic photo from 1876 - Toll house at the corner of Davenport and Avenue Road - looking n.e. to Leonard Pears house in SummerhillToll house at the corner of Davenport and Avenue Road - looking n.e. to Leonard Pears house
(Categorized under: Ornamental gate )
149 years ago - 1876 - Summerhill at 148 Avenue Road n.e. corner at Davenport Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1899 Historic photo from 1899 - Sketch of the Church of the Covenant before west section added - Avenue Road and Roxborough in SummerhillSketch of the Church of the Covenant before west section added - Avenue Road and Roxborough
(Categorized under: Architectural drawings --- Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
126 years ago - 1899 - Summerhill at 240 Avenue Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - William Laratt Smith's Summerhill - Summerhill Ave., n. side, w. of David A. Balfour Park in SummerhillWilliam Laratt Smith's Summerhill - Summerhill Ave., n. side, w. of David A. Balfour Park
125 years ago - 1900 - Summerhill at 50 Summerhill Ave (approximatley)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1906 Historic photo from Thursday, February 22, 1906 - Interior of the Cottingham Street Mens lavatory at Yonge Street in SummerhillInterior of the Cottingham Street Mens lavatory at Yonge Street
119 years ago - Thursday, February 22, 1906 - Summerhill at 1190 Yonge Street
Max temp: 0.6°C - Min temp: -2.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1906 Historic photo from Thursday, February 22, 1906 - Interior of the Cottingham Street Mens washroom at Yonge Street in SummerhillInterior of the Cottingham Street Mens washroom at Yonge Street
119 years ago - Thursday, February 22, 1906 - Summerhill at 1190 Yonge Street
Max temp: 0.6°C - Min temp: -2.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1906 Historic photo from Thursday, February 22, 1906 - Exterior of the Cottingham Street Mens washroom at Yonge Street in SummerhillExterior of the Cottingham Street Mens washroom at Yonge Street
119 years ago - Thursday, February 22, 1906 - Summerhill at 1190 Yonge Street
Max temp: 0.6°C - Min temp: -2.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1910 Historic photo from 1910 - Avenue Road, looking south to Dupont Street w/ Avenue Rd. Presbyterian church on the left in SummerhillAvenue Road, looking south to Dupont Street w/ Avenue Rd. Presbyterian church on the left
(Categorized under: Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
115 years ago - 1910 - Summerhill at 264 Avenue Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from 1912 - Avenue Road Presbyterian Church - Gothic Revival - built in 1899 in SummerhillAvenue Road Presbyterian Church - Gothic Revival - built in 1899
(Categorized under: Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
113 years ago - 1912 - Summerhill at 243 Avenue Road n.e. corner at Roxborough Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1912 Historic photo from Wednesday, June 12, 1912 - Yonge Street - Summerhill Avenue crossing looking south in SummerhillYonge Street - Summerhill Avenue crossing looking south
113 years ago - Wednesday, June 12, 1912 - Summerhill at 1123 Yonge Street
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 12.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1913 Historic photo from Tuesday, May 13, 1913 - Yonge Street - Summerhill Avenue crossing in SummerhillYonge Street - Summerhill Avenue crossing
112 years ago - Tuesday, May 13, 1913 - Summerhill at 1123 Yonge Street
Max temp: 16.1°C - Min temp: 6.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915 Historic photo from Wednesday, April 21, 1915 - Summerhill Avenue bridge in SummerhillSummerhill Avenue bridge
(Categorized under: Bridges )
110 years ago - Wednesday, April 21, 1915 - Summerhill
Max temp: 10.6°C - Min temp: 1.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921 Historic photo from 1921 - Living room and furnishings of Woodlawn, north and west view in SummerhillLiving room and furnishings of Woodlawn, north and west view
104 years ago - 1921 - Summerhill at 35 Woodlawn Ave West offset from street in middle of block
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921 Historic photo from 1921 - Dining room and art at Woodlawn, south and east view in SummerhillDining room and art at Woodlawn, south and east view
104 years ago - 1921 - Summerhill at 35 Woodlawn Ave West offset from street in middle of block
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921 Historic photo from 1921 - Living room and grand windows at Woodlawn, east and north view in SummerhillLiving room and grand windows at Woodlawn, east and north view
104 years ago - 1921 - Summerhill at 35 Woodlawn Ave West offset from street in middle of block
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921 Historic photo from 1921 - Not so grand view looking east of the west elevation of Woodlawn during renovation? in SummerhillNot so grand view looking east of the west elevation of Woodlawn during renovation?
104 years ago - 1921 - Summerhill at 35 Woodlawn Ave West offset from street in middle of block
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921 Historic photo from 1921 - Garden and path, looking east on the south side of Woodlawn in SummerhillGarden and path, looking east on the south side of Woodlawn
104 years ago - 1921 - Summerhill at 35 Woodlawn Ave West offset from street in middle of block
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921 Historic photo from 1921 - Exterior view of gardens looking west from Woodlawn, on the south side in SummerhillExterior view of gardens looking west from Woodlawn, on the south side
104 years ago - 1921 - Summerhill at 35 Woodlawn Ave West offset from street in middle of block
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1924 Historic photo from Wednesday, February 27, 1924 - Southwest corner Yonge and Roxborough - Gas Station in SummerhillSouthwest corner Yonge and Roxborough - Gas Station
101 years ago - Wednesday, February 27, 1924 - Summerhill at 1088 Yonge Street
Max temp: 3.9°C - Min temp: -12.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1949 Historic photo from Monday, August 22, 1949 - Yonge Street and Roxborough Street East looking north in SummerhillYonge Street and Roxborough Street East looking north
76 years ago - Monday, August 22, 1949 - Summerhill at 1088 Yonge Street
Max temp: 28.3°C - Min temp: 18.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1949 Historic photo from Monday, August 22, 1949 - Yonge and Roxborough looking south in SummerhillYonge and Roxborough looking south
76 years ago - Monday, August 22, 1949 - Summerhill at 1088 Yonge Street
Max temp: 28.3°C - Min temp: 18.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1956 Historic photo from Sunday, August 26, 1956 - Avenue Rd. Presbyterian (United) Church before building torn down for Jay Macpherson Green in SummerhillAvenue Rd. Presbyterian (United) Church before building torn down for Jay Macpherson Green
(Categorized under: Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
69 years ago - Sunday, August 26, 1956 - Summerhill at 255 Avenue Road
Max temp: 25.6°C - Min temp: 12.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1959 Historic photo from Thursday, April 16, 1959 - Before Avenue Road widening outside the The Avenue Rd. Church in SummerhillBefore Avenue Road widening outside the The Avenue Rd. Church
(Categorized under: Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
66 years ago - Thursday, April 16, 1959 - Summerhill at 243 Avenue Road
Max temp: 24.4°C - Min temp: 8.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1960 Historic photo from Wednesday, June 22, 1960 - Looking south down Avenue Road to The Avenue Road Church on the left in SummerhillLooking south down Avenue Road to The Avenue Road Church on the left
(Categorized under: Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
65 years ago - Wednesday, June 22, 1960 - Summerhill at 243 Avenue Road
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 15.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1969 Historic photo from Wednesday, May 28, 1969 - PM's drive-in burger restaurant on Yonge St. near Summerhill in the late 1960s in SummerhillPM's drive-in burger restaurant on Yonge St. near Summerhill in the late 1960s
56 years ago - Wednesday, May 28, 1969 - Summerhill at 1200 Yonge Street south of Summerhill Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1977 Historic photo from 1977 - Summerhill TTC subway station: close-up of the name of the station on the wall, behind a row of red seats in SummerhillSummerhill TTC subway station: close-up of the name of the station on the wall, behind a row of red seats
48 years ago - 1977 - Summerhill at 24 Shaftesbury Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
2014 Historic photo from Saturday, May 24, 2014 - Hare Krishna leaded glass window 1 in SummerhillHare Krishna leaded glass window 1
(Categorized under: Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
11 years ago - Saturday, May 24, 2014 - Summerhill at 243 Avenue Road
Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: 0.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location
2014 Historic photo from Saturday, May 24, 2014 - Hare Krishna Peacocks in SummerhillHare Krishna Peacocks
(Categorized under: Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
11 years ago - Saturday, May 24, 2014 - Summerhill at 243 Avenue Road
Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: 0.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location
2014 Historic photo from Saturday, May 24, 2014 - Hare Krishna Column in SummerhillHare Krishna Column
(Categorized under: Avenue road church (at roxborough) )
11 years ago - Saturday, May 24, 2014 - Summerhill at 243 Avenue Road
Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: 0.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location