Ornamental Gates and Arches

Toronto has had its share of ornamental gates, arches, and fences. From simple iron railings or wrought ironwork, to wooden fences with carved ornaments, to dramatic civic structures, this page lists the photos of the gates we are aware of.

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.

1901
to
1957

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". ...more

Follow this link to our 10 entries, dated from 1901 to 1957 related to Alexandra Gates

1907
to
1990

Dufferin Gates

Three gates have stood at the north entrance to the CNE. The first, built in 1895, was a wooden structure which stood until the second, metal and brick ornate Beaux-Arts style triumphal arch was built in 1910. It was officially re-opened by Lord Dufferin in 1914, and stood until 1958 when it was demolished to make way for the Gardiner Expressway. The final modernist-style parabolic arch, designed by Philip R. Brock, was then built and stands to this day.

Follow this link to our 22 entries, dated from 1907 to 1990 related to Dufferin Gates

1914
to
1931

Howard Memorial Gates

The ornamental limestone and wrought iron gates on Parkside Drive at High Park Boulevard commemorate John Howard in recognition of his gift of High Park. They were officially opened on March 19th, 1914.

In attendance was His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught (after attending the official opening of the ROM the same day), Toronto Mayor at the time Horatio C. Hocken, Sir Henry Pellatt (owner of Casa Loma), and Mrs. A.E. Gooderham, president of the national executive of the Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE).

Follow this link to our 8 entries, dated from 1914 to 1931 related to Howard_Memorial_Gates

1901
to
1906

Independent Order of Foresters Arch

The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) built a grand arch to commemorate the visit of Prince George, Duke of Cornwall and Mary, Duchess of Cornwall. It was built in 1901, complete with flashing light bulbs, flags and crests, and a crown on the top, and was illuminated at night. It originally stood across Bay Street (Terauley Street at the time) at Richmond, just south of City Hall, outside the Temple Building (also known as Foresters' Temple or the the I. O. F. Temple). It was moved to the Exhibition Grounds by 1906.

...more

Follow this link to our 9 entries, dated from 1901 to 1906 related to IOF_Arch_(1901)

1901
to
1901

Manufacturer's Arch

A number of arches were constructed to commemorate the visit of Prince George, Duke of Cornwall and Mary, Duchess of Cornwall to Toronto in 1901. At the top of University Ave stood the Manufacturer's Arch, just south of Queen's Park, at College St.

...more

Follow this link to our 6 entries, dated from 1901 to 1901 related to Manufacturers_Arch_(1901)

1927
to
2010

Princes' Gates

Often incorrectly called the Princess Gates; they were built in 1927 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Canadian Confederation and stand at Strachan Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd, the eastern end of the Exhibition Grounds.

Designed by Chapman and Oxley Architects in a Beaux-Arts style, they were constructed of a mix of stone and concrete. The nine pillars on either side of the main arch represent the Canadian provinces at the time of construction. On the top of the central arch is the statue 'Goddess of Winged Victory'. It was designed by architect Alfred Chapman and carved by Charles McKechnie. ...more

Follow this link to our 19 entries, dated from 1927 to 2010 related to Princes Gates

1867
to
1885

University Ave Gate (College Gate)

Standing on the north side of Queen Street West at what is now University Ave was a gate and toll keepers cottage. It stood at the southern end of a road (called College Avenue at the time) that stretched 1.3 km north to King's College (now where Queens Park stands at College Street). It was lined with chestnut trees, and no streets were allowed to intersect it until 1859. Eventually College Avenue and Park Lane (later called University Street) were combined to form today's University Avenue.

Follow this link to our 4 entries, dated from 1867 to 1885 related to University Ave Gate

Other photos

1856		Osgoode Hall elevation by Hopkins, Lawford and Nelson, with dome 168 years ago - City Hall - 1856 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1870		Gate leading to The Dale - Dale Ave., s. side, w. of McKenzie Ave.; n. of Bloor St. E., w. of Castle Frank Rd. 154 years ago - Rosedale - 1870 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1870		High Park Gate - Watercolour by John Howard looking north up to Colborne Lodge in High Park 154 years ago - High Park - 1870 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1870		Last Toll Gate on Yonge St., n. of Marlborough Ave. 154 years ago - Summerhill - 1870 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1870		Osgoode Hall gates and pedestrians - half-tone photograph 154 years ago - City Hall - Saturday, April 23, 1870 Max temp: 15.6°C - Min temp: 3.3°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1872		Ornamental gate to celebrate the 1872 visit of the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava - King St. E., w. of Church St. 152 years ago - St. Lawrence - 1872 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1875		College St. Gates, w. side of Yonge St. at College 149 years ago - College Street - 1875 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1876		Toll house at the corner of Davenport and Avenue Road - looking n.e. to Leonard Pears house 148 years ago - Summerhill - 1876 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1885		Old tollgate at College and Yonge streets, Toronto, after a heavy snowstorm - winter 1885 139 years ago - College Street - 1885 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1885		Burdock Arch looking west to Fort York and Crystal Palace Oct. 1885 139 years ago - Fort York - Saturday, October 10, 1885 Max temp: 16.7°C - Min temp: 2.8°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1890		Gooderham estate - North Glen Road Bridge at South Drive 134 years ago - Rosedale - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1890		Homewood entrance gate, in Moss Park (Sherbourne and Bloor), Toronto 134 years ago - Upper Jarvis - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1897		Sketch of Caer Howell Hotel in the winter with horse drawn carriages and distinctive gate 127 years ago - Discovery District - 1897 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1900		Hand rail, end posts, at lamps - Queen St. steel warren truss bridge over the Don River 124 years ago - Riverside-South Riverdale - 1900 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1900		Caer Howell Hotel (University Ave. at Orde St.) 124 years ago - Discovery District - 1900 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1900		Queen Street bridge, looking north-west - steel warren truss bridge before current bridge 124 years ago - Riverside-South Riverdale - Monday, March 12, 1900 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1907		Wellesley St Gate into the University of Toronto 117 years ago - University of Toronto (U of T) - 1907 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1907		Albert Nordheimer Jr.'s home, northwest corner of Bloor Street West and Avenue Road 117 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1907 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1908		Albert Nordheimer Jr.s estate, corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road 116 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1908 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1909		Ardwold Gate - 480 Davenport Road 115 years ago - Casa Loma - 1909 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1911		Iron gates at Benvenuto on Avenue Road - the home of Sir William MacKenzie 113 years ago - South Hill - 1911 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912		Looking west across Yonge St. to gates of W. G. Ellis house, Yonge St., n.w. cor. Bedford Park Ave. 112 years ago - Bedford Park - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1912		Baby Point Gate in 1912 112 years ago - Baby Point - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1913		Baby Point Road, looking s.e., w. side of Jane St. 111 years ago - Baby Point - 1913 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1914		Sketch of proposed stone gates at Dufferin Grove South from Gladstone Avenue (Feb 14, 1913 is original photo) 110 years ago - Dufferin Grove - Saturday, February 7, 1914 Max temp: 2.8°C - Min temp: -7.8°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1915		William Gordon Ellis house, Yonge St., w. side, between Bedford Park & Woburn Aves.; gates 109 years ago - Bedford Park - 1915 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1916		Snow on Trinity College gates and trees 108 years ago - Trinity Bellwoods - 1916 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920		Knockaloe Estate - ornate carved wooden gates at 2708 Yonge St. at Bedford Park 104 years ago - Bedford Park - 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920		Looking from St. Michaels Cathedral grounds towards Metropolitan Church 104 years ago - Garden District - 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921		Iron fence and gates, Jarvis Street where Jarvis Collegiate stands now 103 years ago - Upper Jarvis - 1921 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921		High Park fence from St. Pauls Cathedral, London, England 103 years ago - High Park - Saturday, April 2, 1921 Max temp: 17.8°C - Min temp: 0.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921		Ellis Estate gates on Yonge Street at Bedford Park 103 years ago - Bedford Park - Friday, November 25, 1921 Max temp: 7.2°C - Min temp: -2.8°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921		Howard monument, High Park 103 years ago - High Park - Saturday, April 2, 1921 Max temp: 17.8°C - Min temp: 0.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1922		Yonge Street and Melrose Avenue gates 102 years ago - North Toronto - Tuesday, August 1, 1922 Max temp: 26.7°C - Min temp: 16.7°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1925		Baby Point Rd. and Jane St 99 years ago - Baby Point - Tuesday, September 8, 1925 Max temp: 20.0°C - Min temp: 13.3°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1925		Baby Point Rd. looking east to Jane St 99 years ago - Baby Point - Tuesday, September 8, 1925 Max temp: 20.0°C - Min temp: 13.3°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929		Entrance to Dance Hall on Hanlan's Point on Toronto Island 95 years ago - Toronto Island - Monday, June 10, 1929 Max temp: 21.7°C - Min temp: 7.8°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1929		Carbrook estate standing to our left of the original ROM building in 1929 95 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Thursday, April 25, 1929 Max temp: 11.7°C - Min temp: 7.2°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1930		Arch, erected at western entrance of Exhibition, for Shriners Convention 94 years ago - CNE - Monday, June 9, 1930 Max temp: 19.4°C - Min temp: 9.4°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1930		Havergal College sign on gate - Avenue Road circa 1930 94 years ago - Lawrence Park - 1930 Link to archive record - Map location
1930		Sketch of a Cow gate outside Osgoode Hall on Queen Street West at University Ave 94 years ago - City Hall - 1930 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1930		Arch, erected at Eastern entrance of Exhibition, for Shriners Convention 94 years ago - CNE - Monday, June 9, 1930 Max temp: 19.4°C - Min temp: 9.4°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1948		People at an iron gate at Osgoode Hall 76 years ago - City Hall - 1948 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1931		Colour sketch of a gate for the Kew Beach athletic field 93 years ago - The Beaches - 1931 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1934		Looking west through a side gate at Benvenuto 90 years ago - South Hill - 1934 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1934		Benvenuto Gates on Avenue Rd., w. side, s. of Edmund Ave.; gates, looking w., St. Edmund Apartments (7 Edmund Ave.) in background 90 years ago - South Hill - 1934 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1935		Old Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens Gates 89 years ago - Mount Pleasant Cemetery - Saturday, October 19, 1935 Max temp: 22.2°C - Min temp: 5.0°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1936		Stone gate, wooden fence, and house behind on Constance and Parkside 88 years ago - High Park - Friday, May 1, 1936 Max temp: 18.9°C - Min temp: 9.4°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1941		Wilson P. MacDonald and Ann MacDonald in front of house at 545 Jarvis St. (Gloucester St. and Earl Pl.) 83 years ago - Upper Jarvis - Thursday, January 30, 1941 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Library and Archives Canada)
1950		Arch lit up at night, CNE grounds 74 years ago - CNE - 1950 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1953		Looking north from 619 Sherbourne Street 71 years ago - Upper Jarvis - Monday, June 22, 1953 Max temp: 29.4°C - Min temp: 17.8°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1954		Stone gate in the trees - Edgar A. Eaton, house, Blythwood Rd., s.w. corner Bayview Ave. 70 years ago - Lawrence Park - 1954 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1963		Two girls seated on either side of gate to garden - rear of 21 Lowther Avenue 61 years ago - The Annex - Saturday, May 4, 1963 Max temp: 23.9°C - Min temp: 11.1°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From York University Archives)
1972		Mount Pleasant Cemetery - flowers at Yonge Street gates 52 years ago - Mount Pleasant Cemetery - Sunday, September 10, 1972 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
2007		Trinity Bellwoods gates from the south - unveiling of the 1903 restored gates 17 years ago - Trinity Bellwoods - Monday, January 8, 2007 Max temp: °C - Min temp: °C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)