20 vintage photos of what Toronto looked like in the 1950s

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

Toronto Daily Star news stand – 1950

Crowds entering the CNE through the Princes’ Gates – 1954

North-east corner, Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue West – 1955

Santa Claus Parade – 1956

PCC streetcar 4107 on Queen Street East – 1954

Crowd at Sunnyside Beach – 1950

Power Supermarket, 2055 Danforth Avenue – 1953

Barclay Hotel – 1955

Hockey game, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Black Hawks, Maple Leaf Gardens – 1958

Golden Mile Plaza, north-east corner of Eglinton Avenue East and Victoria Park Avenue – 1954

Government House, Chorley Park, main entrance

Glen Road bridge over Rosedale Valley Road – 1955

Lansdowne and St. Clair Avenue – 1959

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Crowds at transfer terminals – 1955

Ossington Avenue and Queen Street West – 1958

Community dance, Don Mills Shopping Centre, south-west corner, Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East – 1955

673 Mt. Pleasant Road – 1953

141-147 Queen Street West – 1953