The 1950s was a decade of big change for Toronto: the Yonge subway line opened, the Gardiner Expressway was finished, and the official Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto was formed.
Looking back at photos from the time, the city feels entirely different — and it’s not just because none of the Leafs players are wearing helmets in the game photos. There’s noticeably fewer tall buildings, old-school newspaper stands, retro TTC cars, and even photos of a wholesome community dance held in the Don Mills Shopping Centre parking lot.
So if you’re feeling nostalgic for the old days of Toronto, here are 20 photos from the city in the 1950s, courtesy of Toronto History’s photo archive.
506 Queen Street West – 1958

Howard McDonald/City of Toronto Archives
Toronto Daily Star news stand – 1950

Alexandra Studio/City of Toronto Archives
Crowds entering the CNE through the Princes’ Gates – 1954

Harvey Naylor/City of Toronto Archives
North-east corner, Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue West – 1955

Alexandra Studio/City of Toronto Archives
Santa Claus Parade – 1956

Gilbert A. Milne Co. Ltd./City of Toronto Archives
PCC streetcar 4107 on Queen Street East – 1954

Earnest Edgar Strathy Smith/City of Toronto Archives
Crowd at Sunnyside Beach – 1950

Alexandra Studio/City of Toronto Archives
Power Supermarket, 2055 Danforth Avenue – 1953

Alexandra Studio/City of Toronto Archives
Barclay Hotel – 1955

Ellis Wiley/City of Toronto Archives
Hockey game, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Black Hawks, Maple Leaf Gardens – 1958

Alexandra Studios/City of Toronto Archives
Golden Mile Plaza, north-east corner of Eglinton Avenue East and Victoria Park Avenue – 1954

Gilbert Milne/City of Toronto Archives
Government House, Chorley Park, main entrance

Dorothea Skinner/City of Toronto Archives
Glen Road bridge over Rosedale Valley Road – 1955

Canada Pictures Ltd/City of Toronto Archives
Lansdowne and St. Clair Avenue – 1959

Howard McDonald/City of Toronto Archives
- See also:
Crowds at transfer terminals – 1955

Canada Pictures Ltd./City of Toronto Archives
Ossington Avenue and Queen Street West – 1958

Howard McDonald/City of Toronto Archives
Community dance, Don Mills Shopping Centre, south-west corner, Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East – 1955

Gilbert Milne/City of Toronto Archives
673 Mt. Pleasant Road – 1953

Howard MacDonald/City of Toronto Archives
141-147 Queen Street West – 1953

Howard McDonald/City of Toronto Archives