Historic photos from around The Beaches, Toronto

The Beaches (or just 'The Beach') is a residential and tourist area along Lake Ontario east of downtown Toronto. The waterfront is divided up into four beach areas: Balmy Beach, Scarboro Beach, Kew Beach and Woodbine Beach (previously known as The Cut).

European development started in 1793 when Alexander Aitken divided the area into lots on behalf of Lieutenant Governor John Simcoe. By the 1870's the area was connected to Toronto by streetcars and boats in the summer, and it became a popular summer daytrip from the city with a number of amusement parks.

West of The Beaches is Leslieville with Fallingbrook to the east. To the north is the Upper Beach.



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.

 
 

1885 Historic photo from 1885 - Beech Ave. - out for a walk amongst the trees in The BeachesBeech Ave. - out for a walk amongst the trees
139 years ago - 1885 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1890 Historic photo from 1890 - Streetcar tracks and paving stones on Queen St east of Lee Ave in The BeachesStreetcar tracks and paving stones on Queen St east of Lee Ave
134 years ago - 1890 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1890 Historic photo from 1890 - Queen Street east of Lee Avenue in The Beaches in The BeachesQueen Street east of Lee Avenue in The Beaches
134 years ago - 1890 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1890 Historic photo from 1890 - Looking down to the lake from Queen Street east of Lee Avenue in The BeachesLooking down to the lake from Queen Street east of Lee Avenue
134 years ago - 1890 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1894 Historic photo from Saturday, January 13, 1894 - The Witches Park, now known as Glen Stewart Ravine, Kingston Road, south side - includes rare witch hazel shrubs in The BeachesThe Witches Park, now known as Glen Stewart Ravine, Kingston Road, south side - includes rare witch hazel shrubs
(Categorized under: Glen Stewart Park and estate )
130 years ago - Saturday, January 13, 1894 - The Beaches at 351 Glen Manor Drive south side of Kingston Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Balmy Beach Club, Balmy Beach Park, foot of Beech Ave. people out enjoying the canoes in The BeachesBalmy Beach Club, Balmy Beach Park, foot of Beech Ave. people out enjoying the canoes
124 years ago - 1900 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1904 Historic photo from Saturday, February 20, 1904 - KEW Beach Grocery and Smith - Queen Street west of Lee Avenue in The BeachesKEW Beach Grocery and Smith - Queen Street west of Lee Avenue
120 years ago - Saturday, February 20, 1904 - The Beaches at 2040 Queen Street East
Max temp: -4.4°C - Min temp: -16.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1905 Historic photo from 1905 - Kew Beach fire hall - construction - main storey being built - now Toronto Fire Station 227 in The BeachesKew Beach fire hall - construction - main storey being built - now Toronto Fire Station 227
119 years ago - 1905 - The Beaches at 1904 Queen Street East
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1905 Historic photo from 1905 - Kew Beach Station 17 fire hall under construction - 1904 Queen St East in The BeachesKew Beach Station 17 fire hall under construction - 1904 Queen St East
119 years ago - 1905 - The Beaches at 1904 Queen Street East
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1906 Historic photo from 1906 - Kew Beach Public School (?) looking south-east from Kew Beach firehall in The BeachesKew Beach Public School (?) looking south-east from Kew Beach firehall
(Categorized under: Schools )
118 years ago - 1906 - The Beaches at 101 Kippendavie Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1907 Historic photo from 1907 - Illuminated tower and beacon - Scarboro Beach Park in The BeachesIlluminated tower and beacon - Scarboro Beach Park
117 years ago - 1907 - The Beaches at 60 Scarborough Beach Boulevard
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1908 Historic photo from 1908 - Spectators watching water chute ride, Scarborough Beach Park in The BeachesSpectators watching water chute ride, Scarborough Beach Park
116 years ago - 1908 - The Beaches at 60 Scarborough Beach Boulevard
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908 Historic photo from 1908 - Pond in Glen Stewart estate or park in The BeachesPond in Glen Stewart estate or park
(Categorized under: Glen Stewart Park and estate )
116 years ago - 1908 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908 Historic photo from 1908 - At the end of the water chute ride at Scarboro Beach Park in The BeachesAt the end of the water chute ride at Scarboro Beach Park
116 years ago - 1908 - The Beaches at 60 Scarborough Beach Boulevard
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1910 Historic photo from 1910 - North shore of Lake Ontario - Scarboro Beach roller coaster and tower in The BeachesNorth shore of Lake Ontario - Scarboro Beach roller coaster and tower
114 years ago - 1910 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1910 Historic photo from Friday, July 1, 1910 - Crowd watching lacrosse game, Scarborough Beach Park in The BeachesCrowd watching lacrosse game, Scarborough Beach Park
114 years ago - Friday, July 1, 1910 - The Beaches at 60 Scarborough Beach Boulevard
Max temp: 33.9°C - Min temp: 18.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1911 Historic photo from Sunday, June 4, 1911 - Fascinating Women and Charming Gowns snapped at the Woodbine Racetrack in The BeachesFascinating Women and Charming Gowns snapped at the Woodbine Racetrack
113 years ago - Sunday, June 4, 1911 - The Beaches
Max temp: 23.9°C - Min temp: 11.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from 1912 - Winter storm and ice at Kew Beach in The BeachesWinter storm and ice at Kew Beach
112 years ago - 1912 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from 1912 - Glen Stewart park map from 1912 - the Provident Investment Company, Toronto in The BeachesGlen Stewart park map from 1912 - the Provident Investment Company, Toronto
112 years ago - 1912 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from 1912 - Glen Stewart Park - water, railing, and horse drawn cart in The BeachesGlen Stewart Park - water, railing, and horse drawn cart
(Categorized under: Glen Stewart Park and estate )
112 years ago - 1912 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from Tuesday, September 24, 1912 - Silver Birch Ave., looking north from the lakefront in The BeachesSilver Birch Ave., looking north from the lakefront
112 years ago - Tuesday, September 24, 1912 - The Beaches
Max temp: 15.6°C - Min temp: 14.4°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1919 Historic photo from Monday, May 12, 1919 - Lake Ontario shoreline west from Munro Park Ave. - Erosion of the lakeshore in The BeachesLake Ontario shoreline west from Munro Park Ave. - Erosion of the lakeshore
105 years ago - Monday, May 12, 1919 - The Beaches
Max temp: 13.9°C - Min temp: 5.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1919 Historic photo from Thursday, August 28, 1919 - Entrance to the Cascades, Scarborough Beach Park in The BeachesEntrance to the Cascades, Scarborough Beach Park
105 years ago - Thursday, August 28, 1919 - The Beaches at 60 Scarborough Beach Boulevard
Max temp: 22.8°C - Min temp: 10.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1919 Historic photo from Thursday, August 28, 1919 - Inside the Cascades amusement ride, Scarborough Beach Park in The BeachesInside the Cascades amusement ride, Scarborough Beach Park
105 years ago - Thursday, August 28, 1919 - The Beaches at 60 Scarborough Beach Boulevard
Max temp: 22.8°C - Min temp: 10.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from 1920 - Dr. Young Monument, Kew Beach, Toronto in The BeachesDr. Young Monument, Kew Beach, Toronto
104 years ago - 1920 - The Beaches at 46 Lee Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1920 Historic photo from 1920 - View of lake looking north from Queen Street in Stewart Manor, Toronto, Ontario. in The BeachesView of lake looking north from Queen Street in Stewart Manor, Toronto, Ontario.
(Categorized under: Glen Stewart Park and estate )
104 years ago - 1920 - The Beaches at 2150 Queen Street East
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1922 Historic photo from Monday, July 31, 1922 - A.S. Goss, wife and children, in garden of 53 Neville Park Boulevard in The BeachesA.S. Goss, wife and children, in garden of 53 Neville Park Boulevard
102 years ago - Monday, July 31, 1922 - The Beaches at 53 Neville Park Boulevard
Max temp: 23.3°C - Min temp: 16.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1922 Historic photo from Monday, October 16, 1922 - Kingston Rd, looking west, from Victoria Park Ave in The BeachesKingston Rd, looking west, from Victoria Park Ave
102 years ago - Monday, October 16, 1922 - The Beaches
Max temp: 18.9°C - Min temp: 7.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1924 Historic photo from 1924 - Kew Gardens grass tennis courts between Waverley Rd. & Lee Ave. in The BeachesKew Gardens grass tennis courts between Waverley Rd. & Lee Ave.
100 years ago - 1924 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1926 Historic photo from 1926 - Bicycle race at Velodrome, Scarborough Beach Park in The BeachesBicycle race at Velodrome, Scarborough Beach Park
98 years ago - 1926 - The Beaches at 60 Scarborough Beach Boulevard
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929 Historic photo from Tuesday, November 19, 1929 - Kew Beach Park East - wooden groynes to reduce sand erosion along the beach in The BeachesKew Beach Park East - wooden groynes to reduce sand erosion along the beach
95 years ago - Tuesday, November 19, 1929 - The Beaches at 2075 Queen Street East
Max temp: 3.3°C - Min temp: -0.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1930 Historic photo from Monday, March 10, 1930 - Houses on Kewbeach Avenue - numbers 9, 11, 13 - back on to the water and expropriated for Woodbine Beach Park in The BeachesHouses on Kewbeach Avenue - numbers 9, 11, 13 - back on to the water and expropriated for Woodbine Beach Park
94 years ago - Monday, March 10, 1930 - The Beaches at 9 Kewbeach Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1930 Historic photo from Monday, March 10, 1930 - Houses at 15, 17 Kew Beach Avenue in The BeachesHouses at 15, 17 Kew Beach Avenue
94 years ago - Monday, March 10, 1930 - The Beaches at 15 Kewbeach Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1930 Historic photo from Monday, March 10, 1930 - Houses expropriated for Woodbine Beach park - 19, 21, 23 Kew Beach Avenue in The BeachesHouses expropriated for Woodbine Beach park - 19, 21, 23 Kew Beach Avenue
94 years ago - Monday, March 10, 1930 - The Beaches at 19 Kewbeach Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1930 Historic photo from Saturday, March 22, 1930 - Homes on Lee Avenue north of Lake Ontario in The BeachesHomes on Lee Avenue north of Lake Ontario
94 years ago - Saturday, March 22, 1930 - The Beaches at 13 Lee Ave
Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: -8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1930 Historic photo from Saturday, March 22, 1930 - Leuty Avenue north of the beach with horse drawn wagon in The BeachesLeuty Avenue north of the beach with horse drawn wagon
94 years ago - Saturday, March 22, 1930 - The Beaches at 22 Leuty Ave
Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: -8.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1931 Historic photo from 1931 - Colour sketch of a gate for the Kew Beach athletic field in The BeachesColour sketch of a gate for the Kew Beach athletic field
(Categorized under: Architectural drawings --- Ornamental gate )
93 years ago - 1931 - The Beaches
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1933 Historic photo from Friday, November 3, 1933 - Glen Stewart Park, Williamson Road pedestrian bridge in The BeachesGlen Stewart Park, Williamson Road pedestrian bridge
(Categorized under: Glen Stewart Park and estate )
91 years ago - Friday, November 3, 1933 - The Beaches at 72 Williamson Road at Glen Manor Drive West
Max temp: 10.0°C - Min temp: 3.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1935 Historic photo from 1935 - Kew Beach Public School - before 1963 new school was built - was 95 Kippendavie Ave. at the time in The BeachesKew Beach Public School - before 1963 new school was built - was 95 Kippendavie Ave. at the time
(Categorized under: Schools )
89 years ago - 1935 - The Beaches at 101 Kippendavie Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1960 Historic photo from 1960 - Duke of Connaught Public School - Woodfield Road at Queen Street East in The BeachesDuke of Connaught Public School - Woodfield Road at Queen Street East
(Categorized under: Schools )
64 years ago - 1960 - The Beaches at 70 Woodfield Road north of Queen Street East
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1972 Historic photo from 1972 - Glen Stewart Park, Queen Street East - now called Ivan Forrest Gardens in The BeachesGlen Stewart Park, Queen Street East - now called Ivan Forrest Gardens
(Categorized under: Glen Stewart Park and estate )
52 years ago - 1972 - The Beaches at 2150 Queen Street East just east of Glen Manor Drive
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1972 Historic photo from 1972 - Looking east from Glen Stewart Park to the north side of Crown Park Road in The BeachesLooking east from Glen Stewart Park to the north side of Crown Park Road
(Categorized under: Glen Stewart Park and estate )
52 years ago - 1972 - The Beaches at 8 Crown Park Road
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1977 Historic photo from Thursday, May 26, 1977 - Ashbridges Estate - built in 1854 and designed by Joseph Sheard - at Connaught Avenue in The BeachesAshbridges Estate - built in 1854 and designed by Joseph Sheard - at Connaught Avenue
47 years ago - Thursday, May 26, 1977 - The Beaches at 1444 Queen Street East at Connaught Avenue
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1995 Historic photo from Sunday, August 6, 1995 - Hubbard Court (apartment) and houses on the boardwalk along KEW Balmy Beach in Toronto in The BeachesHubbard Court (apartment) and houses on the boardwalk along KEW Balmy Beach in Toronto
29 years ago - Sunday, August 6, 1995 - The Beaches at 13 Hubbard Boulevard along the Martin Goodman Trail
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)