St. Andrew's Market and Playground

Now a small park at 450 Adelaide Street West in Toronto, it has been a public market square since 1837 with a number of market buildings. The first building was built in 1850, but was destroyed by fire just 10 years later. The Renaissance Revival replacement was built in 1873 and an addition completed in 1899. Besides fresh produce and butcher markets, the building also included a police station, community hall, and a public library.

In 1932 the buildings were demolished and were replaced by an Art Deco waterworks building to the north, which has been redeveloped into a condo, a YMCA, and a retail food hall. The south end of the area remains a public park, as it has been since the 1880's. In 1909 it was officially named the St. Andrews playground - "the first City of Toronto property dedicated to, and equipped for, supervised children's play."

 
 

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 Other_Historic_Toronto_Buildings photos.

Historic photos of St Andrews Market and Playground

1914		Excercises at St. Andrews playground 112 years ago - Alexandra Park - Wednesday, August 26, 1914 Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 8.9°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914		Playing basketball at St. Andrews playground with the market building behind 112 years ago - Alexandra Park - Wednesday, August 26, 1914 Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 8.9°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1914		Girls team at St. Andrews playing field 112 years ago - Alexandra Park - Wednesday, August 26, 1914 Max temp: 20.6°C - Min temp: 8.9°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1921		St. Andrews Market, Richmond Street West 105 years ago - Alexandra Park - 1921 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1932		St. Andrew's Market on Augusta Ave and Richmond St 94 years ago - Alexandra Park - Tuesday, January 5, 1932 Max temp: 6.1°C - Min temp: 1.1°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1932		Demolition of St. Andrews Market with city in background 94 years ago - Alexandra Park - Tuesday, January 5, 1932 Max temp: 6.1°C - Min temp: 1.1°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1932		Demolition of St. Andrews Market (1873-1932) 94 years ago - Alexandra Park - Tuesday, January 5, 1932 Max temp: 6.1°C - Min temp: 1.1°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1958		Adelaide Street looking west from Brant Street - park veranda still standing 68 years ago - Alexandra Park - 1958 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1980		Looking north west across Adelaide St. W at Brant street to St. Andrews playground Park with the Waterworks in the background 46 years ago - Alexandra Park - 1980 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1980		Waterworks Building on Maud Street, looking south from Richmond Street 46 years ago - Alexandra Park - 1980 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1991		Looking west down Adelaide St. W at Brant street and St. Andrews playground Park . On the far left is St. Mary's Church on Bathurst 35 years ago - Alexandra Park - 1991 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
2017		Waterworks redevelopment in 2017 - Maud and Richmond streets 9 years ago - Alexandra Park - Monday, November 13, 2017 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)