24 Nov 2022

Queen Street Bridge

The super structure of a bridge at night. It has illuminated words running across the top. Streetcar in frame.

Location: Queen Street where it cross the Don River
Date photo taken: 21 August 2021

Bridges are built to last, and unlike buildings, which often undergo renovations or facelifts, they usually remain static, garnering little love or attention. So it was surprising for me to delve into the history of this bridge, which spans the Don River at Queen Street, and see just how many changes it has undergone over the years. To start with, this is actually the third bridge (at least) to span this section of the river. The first was a wooden affair, built in the very early 1800s. At some point that was replaced by a metal truss bridge. In appearance it was fairly similar to today's bridge, but like its predecessor,  it was built close to the water line. When the current bridge was constructed, Queen Street on either side was elevated, necessitating the expropriation and demolition of several buildings. Opened in 1911, the new bridge remained relatively unchanged for years until 1996 when the Riverside BIA commissioned a public art project to beautify the gateway to their community. The work, entitled Time and a Clock, encompassed a number of different pieces at different locations, including, most strikingly, one on the bridge itself. A clock and the words "This river I step in is not the river I stand in" were added to the western end of the bridge, invoking both the literal river running below, and the philosophical idea of change, a nod to the revitalization then happening in Riverside. In advance of the 2015 Pan Am Games the most recent upgrade to the bridge occurred. The artwork and the architectural features of the bridge were illuminated thanks to a whole host of talents, including the original artist Eldon Garnet. 

17 Nov 2022

The Blackburns

 Large movie-style poster erected in a park showing a black couple in Victorian garb but with elements of steampunk

Location: The Esplanade between George & Frederick Streets
Date photo taken: 11 August 2022

This poster appeared on the Esplanade one day this summer. It looks like a movie poster but it is in fact part of a city-wide art project entitled Unveiling Heroes of the Block which tells the stories of Black Canadians who left a lasting legacy. Depicted here are the Blackburns, Lucie and Thornton, who established Toronto's first taxi service after escaping slavery in the United States. Their steampunk look is courtesy of artist Quentin VerCetty. The project was created by the Black Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM) Canada and is part of ArtworxTO. A digital companion to the various sites is available on the Heritage Toronto website. If you click through on the various stories you will find detailed histories of those profiled, including the Blackburns.

10 Nov 2022

Town of York Cenotaph

Large stone memorial featuring a sword hanging above words and dates of war: 1914-1918; 1939-1945; 1950-1953

Location: Eglinton Avenue West, near Keele
Date photo taken: 14 October 2022

Located at the York Civic Centre, this cenotaph pays tribute to the men and women from the Town of York who gave their lives in the service of their country in the First and Second World Wars. It also, unlike many of the memorials in the city, includes the Korean War. While overshadowed in our collective consciousness by the wars proceeding it, it's important to remember that more than 26,000 Canadians served during this conflict. 


3 Nov 2022

Street art in Alex Faulkner Lane

 Colourful wildstyle graffiti on a brick wall - includes a cartoon cat with a spray can

Location: Alex Faulkner Lane, between Islington and Sixth
Date photo taken: 24 March 2022

This bit of wildstyle is just a small piece of the colourful street art that covers two sides of the Toronto Tree Care building at the corner of Sixth Street and Alex Faulkner Lane in New Toronto. Many of the lanes in this part of town are similarly colourful, making it a fun place to explore.