Historic photos from Summerhill in Toronto

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

Historic photo of Interior of the Cottingham Street Mens lavatory at Yonge Street from February 22nd, 1906

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

Historic photo of Interior of the Cottingham Street Mens washroom at Yonge Street from February 22nd, 1906

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

Historic photo of Exterior of the Cottingham Street Mens washroom at Yonge Street from February 22nd, 1906

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

Historic photo of Yonge Street - Summerhill Avenue crossing looking south from June 12th, 1912

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

Historic photo of Yonge Street - Summerhill Avenue crossing from May 13th, 1913

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

Historic photo of Summerhill Avenue bridge from April 21st, 1915

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

Historic photo of Southwest corner Yonge and Roxborough - Gas Station from February 27th, 1924

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

Historic photo of Yonge Street and Roxborough Street East looking north from August 22nd, 1949

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

Historic photo of Yonge and Roxborough looking south from August 22nd, 1949

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

Historic photo of Avenue Rd. Presbyterian (United) Church before building torn down for Jay Macpherson Green from August 26th, 1956

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

Historic photo of Before Avenue Road widening outside the The Avenue Rd. Church from April 16th, 1959

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

Historic photo of Looking south down Avenue Road to The Avenue Road Church on the left from June 22nd, 1960

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

Historic photo of PM

Summerhill - Toronto on May 28th, 1969

Link to original photo

Hare Krishna leaded glass window 1

Historic photo of Hare Krishna leaded glass window 1 from May 24th, 2014

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

Historic photo of Hare Krishna Peacocks from May 24th, 2014

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

Historic photo of Hare Krishna Column from May 24th, 2014

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