The name Summerhill is an excellent reminder of how the City of Toronto grew - in the mid-1800's rich Torontonian's built summer homes along the ancient Iroquois Shoreline running east west, parallel to Davenport Road. The Summerhill neighbourhood is named after the 'Summer House' built by Charles Thompson (designed by architect John Howard) in 1842 on the 200 acre lot running east from Yonge Street to the ravine. The area was eventually turned into the "Summer Hill Spring Park and Pleasure Grounds" with rides, games, a swimming pool, and a popular dancehall in the original house. All that remains today is Summerhill Avenue which was the original entrance to the property, and the Summer Hill Coach House (from 1865).
Interior of the Cottingham Street Mens lavatory at Yonge Street
Summerhill - Toronto on February 22nd, 1906
Weather in Toronto on Thursday, February 22nd, 1906: High of 0.6℃ and a low of -2.8℃.Link to original photo
Interior of the Cottingham Street Mens washroom at Yonge Street
Summerhill - Toronto on February 22nd, 1906
Weather in Toronto on Thursday, February 22nd, 1906: High of 0.6℃ and a low of -2.8℃.Link to original photo
Exterior of the Cottingham Street Mens washroom at Yonge Street
Summerhill - Toronto on February 22nd, 1906
Weather in Toronto on Thursday, February 22nd, 1906: High of 0.6℃ and a low of -2.8℃.Link to original photo
Yonge Street - Summerhill Avenue crossing looking south
Summerhill - Toronto on June 12th, 1912
Weather in Toronto on Wednesday, June 12th, 1912: High of 21.7℃ and a low of 12.2℃.Link to original photo
Yonge Street - Summerhill Avenue crossing
Summerhill - Toronto on May 13th, 1913
Weather in Toronto on Tuesday, May 13th, 1913: High of 16.1℃ and a low of 6.1℃.Link to original photo
Summerhill Avenue bridge
Summerhill - Toronto on April 21st, 1915
Weather in Toronto on Wednesday, April 21st, 1915: High of 10.6℃ and a low of 1.1℃.Link to original photo
Southwest corner Yonge and Roxborough - Gas Station
Summerhill - Toronto on February 27th, 1924
Weather in Toronto on Wednesday, February 27th, 1924: High of 3.9℃ and a low of -12.2℃.Link to original photo
Yonge Street and Roxborough Street East looking north
Summerhill - Toronto on August 22nd, 1949
Weather in Toronto on Monday, August 22nd, 1949: High of 28.3℃ and a low of 18.9℃.Link to original photo
Yonge and Roxborough looking south
Summerhill - Toronto on August 22nd, 1949
Weather in Toronto on Monday, August 22nd, 1949: High of 28.3℃ and a low of 18.9℃.Link to original photo
Avenue Rd. Presbyterian (United) Church before building torn down for Jay Macpherson Green
Summerhill - Toronto on August 26th, 1956
Weather in Toronto on Sunday, August 26th, 1956: High of 25.6℃ and a low of 12.2℃.Link to original photo
Before Avenue Road widening outside the The Avenue Rd. Church
Summerhill - Toronto on April 16th, 1959
Weather in Toronto on Thursday, April 16th, 1959: High of 24.4℃ and a low of 8.9℃.Link to original photo
Looking south down Avenue Road to The Avenue Road Church on the left
Summerhill - Toronto on June 22nd, 1960
Weather in Toronto on Wednesday, June 22nd, 1960: High of 21.7℃ and a low of 15.0℃.Link to original photo
PM's drive-in burger restaurant on Yonge St. near Summerhill in the late 1960s
Summerhill - Toronto on May 28th, 1969
Link to original photo
Hare Krishna leaded glass window 1
Summerhill - Toronto on May 24th, 2014
Weather in Toronto on Saturday, May 24th, 2014: High of 0.0℃ and a low of 0.0℃.Link to original photo
Hare Krishna Peacocks
Summerhill - Toronto on May 24th, 2014
Weather in Toronto on Saturday, May 24th, 2014: High of 0.0℃ and a low of 0.0℃.Link to original photo
Hare Krishna Column
Summerhill - Toronto on May 24th, 2014
Weather in Toronto on Saturday, May 24th, 2014: High of 0.0℃ and a low of 0.0℃.Link to original photo
Map of Toronto’s Summerhill neighbourhood