Historical Backgrounds of Toronto For Your Next Video Call
Add a touch of Toronto history to your next video call with these 12 vintage virtual backgrounds. Download these free backgrounds of interior photos of Toronto landmarks and other spots from the late 19th and early 20th centuries — and discover a bit of history as you find a favourite!
We preserve these images on our Digital Archive, a treasure trove of 180,000+ digitized items.
1. Queen's Park (1893)
Welcome to the reception room of Ontario's Legislative Building. Did you know there was a derailed design competition for the building in 1880? Or that Queen's Park (as a park) was originally part of University of Toronto?
2. Massey Hall (1894)
Please take your seats, the concert will begin shortly. Until the 1920s, Massey Hall was the only facility in Canada designed just for musical performances. Industrialist Hart Massey gifted the venue to the city in memory of his late son.
3. Toronto City Hall (1898)
Go ahead, chair a session inside the council chamber of the City Hall of yore. Predating the Old City Hall, the city hall seen below was eventually incorporated into what's now St. Lawrence Market South.
4. St. Lawrence Hall (1898)
Don't let the emptiness fool you, this venue was full of lively events. Opened in 1850, this Historical Site of Canada hosted cultural and social gatherings — including important meetings for the Abolitionist Movement.
5. TPL's first branch (1900)
Did you know that TPL's first branch opened way back in 1884? Before 1884, this location at Church and Adelaide streets was home to the Library's forerunner, the Toronto Mechanics' Institute.
6. Cut Rate Drug Store (1910s)
What can I get you? Located in the Kensington Market area, this shop's storefront was in English and Yiddish. The market was known as "the Jewish market" early on because many residents were European Jewish immigrants.
7. Allan Gardens (1914)
Your office might have a plant or two — but nothing like this. This image of the always-lush Allan Gardens Conservatory is actually of its second incarnation. The first conservatory burned down in 1902.
8. Dufferin/St. Clair branch (1920s)
Behold the interior of our Dufferin/St. Clair branch. The pictured murals were painted by George A. Reid, principal of the Ontario College of Art, and by two of his former students, Lorna Claire and Doris McCarthy.
9. Royal York Hotel (1930)
Enjoy your stay at "the largest building in the British Commonwealth." Well, at least that's how this hotel was advertised when it opened in 1929. Canadian Pacific Railway built it as part of a plan to dot hotels along the train line.
10. Maple Leaf Gardens (approximately 1932)
Go Leafs Go! Did you know that the Toronto Maple Leafs played their first game in Maple Leaf Gardens on November 12, 1931? Just don't Google the score of that game against Chicago.
11. Toronto Stock Exchange (1937)
Buy! Sell! Buy! Sell! Can't stand the heat of trading? Not to worry, the 234 Bay Street location of the Toronto Stock Exchange is said to be the first building in Toronto to have air conditioning.
12. Bookmobile (1948)
Talk about working remotely. Take a seat in York Township Public Library's bookmobile, which began service in 1946. In 1998, York Township Public Library Board was one of seven library boards to form an amalgamated TPL.
Comments