Historic photos from around Trinity Bellwoods, Toronto

Garrison Creek ran south through what is now Trinity Bellwoods park all the way to Fort York and Lake Ontario. In the early 1800's British Army Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Smith bought the land along the ravine and called it Gore Vale. In 1851 Bishop John Stachan bought some of the land to build a private school with strong Anglican ties - Trinity College. The cornerstone for the Gothic Revival building, designed by Kivas Tully, was laid on April 30th, 1851 (the building was torn down in the 1950's after the college joined U of T). All that remains of the college are the gates on Queen Street at the top of Strachan Avenue, and St. Hilda's College building (now the John Gibson House seniors residence) in the northwest corner of the park.

The neighbourhood around the park has long been home to various immigrant groups - Polish and Ukranian, then Portuguese, then Chinese. The stores along Ossington have also changed over time as Queen Street West became more and more popular.

Trinity Bellwoods is just north of Stanley Park , between Beaconsfield Village to the west and Alexandra Park to the east.



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.
1852 Historic photo from 1852 - Francis Gore 1769-1852 in Trinity BellwoodsFrancis Gore 1769-1852
172 years ago - 1852 - Trinity Bellwoods
Link to archive record - Map location
1856 Historic photo from 1856 - Trinity College : Queen Street West, north-side in Trinity BellwoodsTrinity College : Queen Street West, north-side
(Categorized under: Oldest known Toronto photos )
168 years ago - 1856 - Trinity Bellwoods
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1867 Historic photo from 1867 - Trinity College, Toronto, erected 1851 in Trinity BellwoodsTrinity College, Toronto, erected 1851
157 years ago - 1867 - Trinity Bellwoods
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1867 Historic photo from 1867 - Lunatic Asylum - Photograph by Octavius Thompson; plate 29 in his Toronto in the camera - 1868 in Trinity BellwoodsLunatic Asylum - Photograph by Octavius Thompson; plate 29 in his Toronto in the camera - 1868
157 years ago - 1867 - Trinity Bellwoods
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1884 Historic photo from 1884 - Lunatic Asylum, initially designed by John George Howard - Queen Street West., s. side, opposite Ossington Ave. in Trinity BellwoodsLunatic Asylum, initially designed by John George Howard - Queen Street West., s. side, opposite Ossington Ave.
140 years ago - 1884 - Trinity Bellwoods
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1894 Historic photo from Sunday, June 3, 1894 - Laying the cornerstone for the east wing of Trinity College in Trinity Bellwoods park in Trinity BellwoodsLaying the cornerstone for the east wing of Trinity College in Trinity Bellwoods park
130 years ago - Sunday, June 3, 1894 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 20.0°C - Min temp: 7.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1900 Historic photo from 1900 - Duncan Cameron house - Gore Vale (now in Trinity Park) in Trinity BellwoodsDuncan Cameron house - Gore Vale (now in Trinity Park)
124 years ago - 1900 - Trinity Bellwoods
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1900 Historic photo from Wednesday, September 19, 1900 - Bicycle shop and Empire Laundry on Queen St. West looking south on Manning Avenue in Trinity BellwoodsBicycle shop and Empire Laundry on Queen St. West looking south on Manning Avenue
124 years ago - Wednesday, September 19, 1900 - Trinity Bellwoods at 791 Queen Street West
Max temp: 17.2°C - Min temp: 6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1900 Historic photo from Wednesday, September 19, 1900 - Looking north up Manning Avenue from Queen Street West in Trinity BellwoodsLooking north up Manning Avenue from Queen Street West
124 years ago - Wednesday, September 19, 1900 - Trinity Bellwoods at 708 Queen Street West
Max temp: 17.2°C - Min temp: 6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1903 Historic photo from 1903 - Trinity College general plan - Queen Street West in Trinity BellwoodsTrinity College general plan - Queen Street West
121 years ago - 1903 - Trinity Bellwoods at 790 Queen Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1903 Historic photo from 1903 - Trinity College general plan - Queen Street West in Trinity BellwoodsTrinity College general plan - Queen Street West
121 years ago - 1903 - Trinity Bellwoods at 790 Queen Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1909 Historic photo from 1909 - Trinity College (1852-1925), Queen St. W., n. side, between Gore Vale Ave. & Crawford St. in Trinity BellwoodsTrinity College (1852-1925), Queen St. W., n. side, between Gore Vale Ave. & Crawford St.
115 years ago - 1909 - Trinity Bellwoods
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)
1912 Historic photo from Monday, February 26, 1912 - Furniture store - northwest corner Queen Street West and Euclid Avenue - old house in Trinity BellwoodsFurniture store - northwest corner Queen Street West and Euclid Avenue - old house
112 years ago - Monday, February 26, 1912 - Trinity Bellwoods at 686 Queen Street West
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912 Historic photo from Thursday, August 1, 1912 - A wooden Crawford Street Bridge in Trinity BellwoodsA wooden Crawford Street Bridge
112 years ago - Thursday, August 1, 1912 - Trinity Bellwoods at 243 Crawford Street
Max temp: 21.1°C - Min temp: 10.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1913 Historic photo from Wednesday, June 25, 1913 - Map of Trinity College grounds in Trinity BellwoodsMap of Trinity College grounds
111 years ago - Wednesday, June 25, 1913 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 28.3°C - Min temp: 15.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914 Historic photo from Saturday, February 14, 1914 - Trinity Park showing Gore Vale in right background in Trinity BellwoodsTrinity Park showing Gore Vale in right background
110 years ago - Saturday, February 14, 1914 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: -10.0°C - Min temp: -15.0°C - 1.0cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1916 Historic photo from 1916 - Snow on Trinity College gates and trees in Trinity BellwoodsSnow on Trinity College gates and trees
(Categorized under: Ornamental gate )
108 years ago - 1916 - Trinity Bellwoods
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1916 Historic photo from Saturday, May 27, 1916 - Crawford Street Bridge built 1915 - from west side in Trinity BellwoodsCrawford Street Bridge built 1915 - from west side
108 years ago - Saturday, May 27, 1916 - Trinity Bellwoods at 243 Crawford Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1916 Historic photo from Saturday, May 27, 1916 - Crawford Street Bridge road with a wagon in Trinity BellwoodsCrawford Street Bridge road with a wagon
108 years ago - Saturday, May 27, 1916 - Trinity Bellwoods at 243 Crawford Street
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1917 Historic photo from Thursday, August 30, 1917 - Last Crawford Street bridge in Trinity BellwoodsLast Crawford Street bridge
107 years ago - Thursday, August 30, 1917 - Trinity Bellwoods at 243 Crawford Street
Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 11.1°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from Tuesday, June 8, 1920 - Looking south on Ossington down to Queen St in Trinity BellwoodsLooking south on Ossington down to Queen St
104 years ago - Tuesday, June 8, 1920 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from Tuesday, June 8, 1920 - Looking south down Ossington at Foxley St in Trinity BellwoodsLooking south down Ossington at Foxley St
104 years ago - Tuesday, June 8, 1920 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from Tuesday, June 8, 1920 - Ossington Ave. south of Dundas St in Trinity BellwoodsOssington Ave. south of Dundas St
104 years ago - Tuesday, June 8, 1920 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 13.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from Monday, July 26, 1920 - Ossington Ave. Queen to Dundas in Trinity BellwoodsOssington Ave. Queen to Dundas
104 years ago - Monday, July 26, 1920 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 9.4°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from Monday, July 26, 1920 - Ossington Ave. - track reconstruction Queen to Dundas in Trinity BellwoodsOssington Ave. - track reconstruction Queen to Dundas
104 years ago - Monday, July 26, 1920 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 9.4°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920 Historic photo from Wednesday, August 11, 1920 - Ossington Ave. south from Dundas in Trinity BellwoodsOssington Ave. south from Dundas
104 years ago - Wednesday, August 11, 1920 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 28.3°C - Min temp: 18.3°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1922 Historic photo from Wednesday, July 19, 1922 - Ossington north of Dundas - track construction in Trinity BellwoodsOssington north of Dundas - track construction
102 years ago - Wednesday, July 19, 1922 - Trinity Bellwoods at Ossington Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1923 Historic photo from Wednesday, June 13, 1923 - Looking west on Dundas, from Bellwoods with boy in Trinity BellwoodsLooking west on Dundas, from Bellwoods with boy
(Categorized under: Portraits )
101 years ago - Wednesday, June 13, 1923 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 23.3°C - Min temp: 6.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1931 Historic photo from Thursday, March 5, 1931 - Sewer construction leading to sunken streetcar tracks - Dundas Street, west of Ossington Avenue in Trinity BellwoodsSewer construction leading to sunken streetcar tracks - Dundas Street, west of Ossington Avenue
93 years ago - Thursday, March 5, 1931 - Trinity Bellwoods at 1161 Dundas Street West west of Ossington Ave
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1935 Historic photo from Tuesday, April 9, 1935 - Bathurst St, north, from Queen, before re-arrangement of poles in Trinity BellwoodsBathurst St, north, from Queen, before re-arrangement of poles
89 years ago - Tuesday, April 9, 1935 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 10.0°C - Min temp: 2.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1940 Historic photo from Friday, December 20, 1940 - 128 Ossington Avenue - cigarette ads for Vogue Fine Cut tobacco, Buckingham, Black Cat in Trinity Bellwoods128 Ossington Avenue - cigarette ads for Vogue Fine Cut tobacco, Buckingham, Black Cat
84 years ago - Friday, December 20, 1940 - Trinity Bellwoods at 128 Ossington Ave
Max temp: 5.6°C - Min temp: 2.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1941 Historic photo from Friday, June 6, 1941 - Construction at 258-64 Bathurst Street in Trinity BellwoodsConstruction at 258-64 Bathurst Street
83 years ago - Friday, June 6, 1941 - Trinity Bellwoods at 258 Bathurst Street
Max temp: 27.8°C - Min temp: 12.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1941 Historic photo from Friday, June 6, 1941 - Construction at 258-64 Bathurst Street - still standing today in Trinity BellwoodsConstruction at 258-64 Bathurst Street - still standing today
83 years ago - Friday, June 6, 1941 - Trinity Bellwoods at 264 Bathurst Street
Max temp: 27.8°C - Min temp: 12.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1941 Historic photo from Wednesday, September 3, 1941 - 216-18-20 Bathurst Street - Oak Leaf Steam Baths in Trinity Bellwoods216-18-20 Bathurst Street - Oak Leaf Steam Baths
83 years ago - Wednesday, September 3, 1941 - Trinity Bellwoods at 216 Bathurst Street
Max temp: 22.8°C - Min temp: 12.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1947 Historic photo from Saturday, July 26, 1947 - Falling-down house at 67 Ossington Avenue - building on left still there in Trinity BellwoodsFalling-down house at 67 Ossington Avenue - building on left still there
77 years ago - Saturday, July 26, 1947 - Trinity Bellwoods at 67 Ossington Ave
Max temp: 27.8°C - Min temp: 15.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1947 Historic photo from Saturday, July 26, 1947 - Lots of Cigarettes Ads at 67 Ossington Avenue in Trinity BellwoodsLots of Cigarettes Ads at 67 Ossington Avenue
77 years ago - Saturday, July 26, 1947 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 27.8°C - Min temp: 15.0°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1955 Historic photo from Sunday, January 2, 1955 - Columbia Hotel, Ossington Ave., n.w. corner Queen St. W. in Trinity BellwoodsColumbia Hotel, Ossington Ave., n.w. corner Queen St. W.
(Categorized under: Hotels )
69 years ago - Sunday, January 2, 1955 - Trinity Bellwoods
Max temp: 6.1°C - Min temp: 0.0°C - 1.0cm of snow on the ground (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library Still not back as of March 2024)