Alexandra Gates

The ornamental Alexandra Gates now stand at the north end of Philosopher's Walk just west of the ROM.

Also known as the Queen Alexandra Gateway, it was built on the south side of Bloor Street across Avenue Road in 1901, by the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (later known as the Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire, IODE), to commemorate the visit of Prince George, Duke of Cornwall and Mary, Duchess of Cornwall, that year. A plaque on the gate reads "To commemorate the visit of T.R.H The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York Oct. 10th 1901". The letters on each post - E and A - stand for Edward and Alexandra, the reigning king and queen at the time.

When Avenue Road was widened in 1962 the gates were saved and moved to their current location, and the wrought iron lamps were restored in 1990 as a special project by the staff of the University's Facilities and Services Department.

The always excellent Lost Rivers website has more details on their site, including a report from the Mail and Empire of the Duke and Duchess passing through the gate in 1901.

See the other two gates built for the same visit; the IOF Arch and the Manufacturer's Arch.

  • Short URL to share for Alexandra Gates historic photos: wholemap.com/AlexandraGates
  • Address for Alexandra Gates: 233 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - M5S 0B1
  • Latitude, Longtitude for Alexandra Gates: 43.66828625134985, -79.39578959050198
 
 

List of all subjects. You can also see all the historic photos for a given neighbourhood. We also have a list of all the photos arranged by date.

And you can also go up a level to see the other photos we've put under the category of ornamental gate photos.

Historic photos of Alexandra Gates

1901 Historic photo from 1901 - Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, arch at Bloor Street and Avenue Road in Royal Ontario MuseumImperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, arch at Bloor Street and Avenue Road
124 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1901
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1901 Historic photo from 1901 - Looking north on Avenue Road through the Alexandra Gates on Bloor Street near the ROM in Royal Ontario MuseumLooking north on Avenue Road through the Alexandra Gates on Bloor Street near the ROM
124 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1901
Link to archive record - Map location
1915 Historic photo from 1915 - Alexandra Gates at midnight - looking south from Avenue Road through Bloor to Queens Park in Royal Ontario MuseumAlexandra Gates at midnight - looking south from Avenue Road through Bloor to Queens Park
110 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1915
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1930 Historic photo from Monday, May 5, 1930 - East side of Queens Park Crescent - Alexandra Gates on far left, Annesley Hall, Womens Residence, on right in Royal Ontario MuseumEast side of Queens Park Crescent - Alexandra Gates on far left, Annesley Hall, Womens Residence, on right
95 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Monday, May 5, 1930
Max temp: 23.9°C - Min temp: 8.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1930 Historic photo from 1930 - Royal Ontario Museum, Bloor Street West and Avenue Road, looking south in Royal Ontario MuseumRoyal Ontario Museum, Bloor Street West and Avenue Road, looking south
95 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1930
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1932 Historic photo from Thursday, February 18, 1932 - Church of the Redeemer on Avenue Road looking north from apartment south of Bloor Street through the Alexandra Gates in Royal Ontario MuseumChurch of the Redeemer on Avenue Road looking north from apartment south of Bloor Street through the Alexandra Gates
93 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Thursday, February 18, 1932
Max temp: 0.0°C - Min temp: -8.9°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1935 Historic photo from Friday, March 8, 1935 - Alexandra Gates, colours for railings and lamps in Royal Ontario MuseumAlexandra Gates, colours for railings and lamps
90 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Friday, March 8, 1935
Max temp: -2.8°C - Min temp: -12.2°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1935 Historic photo from Monday, February 25, 1935 - Colour sketch of Alexandra Gates when it was on Avenue Road in Royal Ontario MuseumColour sketch of Alexandra Gates when it was on Avenue Road
90 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Monday, February 25, 1935
Max temp: -3.3°C - Min temp: -6.7°C - 7.6cm of snowfall (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1935 Historic photo from Thursday, January 17, 1935 - Scheme 1, proposed widening Alexandra gates, Avenue Rd. and Bloor St. W. for the Parks Dept. in Royal Ontario MuseumScheme 1, proposed widening Alexandra gates, Avenue Rd. and Bloor St. W. for the Parks Dept.
90 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Thursday, January 17, 1935
Max temp: 3.9°C - Min temp: -5.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1935 Historic photo from Thursday, January 17, 1935 - Alexandra Gates - drawing of an aerial view of Avenue Road and Bloor in Royal Ontario MuseumAlexandra Gates - drawing of an aerial view of Avenue Road and Bloor
90 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Thursday, January 17, 1935
Max temp: 3.9°C - Min temp: -5.6°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1957 Historic photo from Tuesday, June 25, 1957 - Royal Ontario Museum with Alexandra Gates still in original location in Royal Ontario MuseumRoyal Ontario Museum with Alexandra Gates still in original location
68 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Tuesday, June 25, 1957
Max temp: 23.9°C - Min temp: 16.7°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)