in

What Toronto looked like in the 1980s Through these Fascinating Photos

In the early 1980s, Toronto surpassed Montreal in population with a population of 3 million versus 2.8 million for Montreal. Several factors contributed to Toronto’s growth over Montreal, including substantial immigration, especially from Asians and African Americans, the growing auto industry in Southern Ontario after the Auto Pact was signed with the US in 1965, a calmer political environment, lower personal income taxes than in Quebec (Quebec experienced two referendums on separation during these years, one in 1980 and one in 1995). Most Canadian companies have their head offices in Toronto, which also became the corporate capital of Canada.

During the 1980s, manufacturing jobs in Toronto had become more specialized (e.g., electronics), and the significant shift was to service jobs as Toronto became a major financial, administration, real estate, insurance, educational, wholesale, retailing, and tourism destination. Five of the six national banks were located in the city, making it the nation’s financial capital. Consequently, the town saw high-density core development and suburbanization, which increased the need for public transportation.

Here are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the 1980s in Toronto. It seems like the 1980s were not too distant from today, but they were different. It was a large city, but it still felt like a small town. The environment seemed safe, clean, and endlessly exciting.

#5 Street vendor outside subway station, 1985

Street vendor outside subway station, 1985

#7 South-east corner, Carlaw and Danforth avenues, 1989

#10 Kensington Market, 1980s

Kensington Market, 1980s

#13 A photo from the modern day, featuring a 1980s-era police car from Metro Toronto.

#15 Yonge Street, Toronto, 1982

Yonge Street, Toronto, 1982

#19 The Flatiron building with Derek Michael Besant’s mural looking quite fresh, 1980s

#20 A postcard featuring Exhibition Stadium, 1980s

A postcard featuring Exhibition Stadium, 1980s

#21 The PATH in the 1980s.

The PATH in the 1980s.

#25 Markham Street looking north to Bloor Street, 1982

Markham Street looking north to Bloor Street, 1982

#26 Dundas Street and Pacific Avenue, looking north, 1987

#29 PCC streetcar 4392 on Church Street, south of Richmond Street, 1980

#30 South-west corner, Dundas Street and Pacific Avenue, 1987

South-west corner, Dundas Street and Pacific Avenue, 1987

#34 Looking east from the bridge over the Don River, June 2, 1981

#35 Looking east at Queen and Leslie, June 6, 1981.

Looking east at Queen and Leslie, June 6, 1981.

#40 Yonge Street, Toronto, 1981

Yonge Street, Toronto, 1981

#45 The Silver Rail, 1980

The Silver Rail, 1980

#50 Queen and Shaw streets looking west, 1980s

Queen and Shaw streets looking west, 1980s

#53 Looking across the Massey Ferguson lands on King West, 1980s

#55 Traffic Jam on King west near Portland, 1980s

Traffic Jam on King west near Portland, 1980s

#56 Looking east across King from Duncan Street, 1980s

#60 Queen and Bathurst, looking east, July 13, 1983.

Queen and Bathurst, looking east, July 13, 1983.

#62 Dead quiet Queen and Spadina in late summer. September 27, 1981.

#63 A harsh and modern-looking Queen and Bay during a snowstorm. March 13, 1980.

#64 Overhead view of Queen near City Hall, July 8, 1980

#65 Bay Street trolley buses, July 18, 1983.

Bay Street trolley buses, July 18, 1983.

#66 Drummer’s Paradise on Church Street at Queen, July 21, 1982.

#67 Streetcar turning south onto Church past a Sears delivery van, February 13, 1980.

#68 Queen and Sherbourne with St. Paul’s Basilica in the background. June 2, 1981.

#69 An ice cold Queen and Parliament, looking east, February 6, 1981.

#70 Queen and Sackville, looking east, June 6, 1981.

Queen and Sackville, looking east, June 6, 1981.

#71 The Dominion on Queen during the bad old days. June 6, 1981.

#72 The New Broadview Hotel, a.k.a. Jilly’s, as “Kicker’s,” August 31, 1983.

#73 Streetcars continue to operate at Queen and Broadview despite track work (Broadview Hotel is “Maxi’s,”) March 25, 1981

#74 Queen and Saulter, looking toward the rail bridge, June 6, 1981.

#75 Queen and McGee near the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, June 6, 1981.

Queen and McGee near the Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre, June 6, 1981.

#76 The many gas stations of Queen and Jones, June 6, 1981.

#77 Trolley Bus at Dupont/Annette and Dundas. Image from barp, 1980s

#80 Bloor Street near Bay, facing north with the Holt Renfrew building in sight, 1980s

Bloor Street near Bay, facing north with the Holt Renfrew building in sight, 1980s

#85 Dundas and Church, Toronto, 1983

Dundas and Church, Toronto, 1983

#90 Kensington Market, Toronto, 1983

Kensington Market, Toronto, 1983

#95 Yonge Street, Toronto, 1982

Yonge Street, Toronto, 1982

#100 Kensington Market, Toronto, 1983

Kensington Market, Toronto, 1983

#105 Toronto International Airport, 1983

Toronto International Airport, 1983

#110 Royal Tours – Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, 1984

Royal Tours - Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, 1984

#115 Yonge and Dundas, Toronto, 1985

Yonge and Dundas, Toronto, 1985

#117 Bye Bye Birdie rehearsal, Scarborough Theatre, 1985

#118 Greek Village Dining Lounge, 551 Danforth Avenue, 1985

#120 Downtown Toronto in 1983

Downtown Toronto in 1983

#125 Keele just south of Dundas Street, 1980s

Keele just south of Dundas Street, 1980s

#127 Two types of streetcar and a trolley bus on Queen just west of Shaw, July 13, 1983.

#130 Looking east on Queen across Church, May 31, 1981.

Looking east on Queen across Church, May 31, 1981.

#131 Richmond’s Trading Post on Church just north of Queen, July 21, 1982.

#132 Intersection of Queen and King at the Don River, looking west. No Scotia Plaza, yet. Exchange Tower is under construction behind First Canadian Place. June 2, 1981.

#133 Queen and Broadview, looking east at the stores on the north side of Queen, April 2, 1982.

#134 Queen and Broadview, looking west, August 25, 1983.

#135 Looking east from Queen and De Grassi under the rail tracks, June 6, 1981.

Looking east from Queen and De Grassi under the rail tracks, June 6, 1981.

#136 Looking west from Queen and Carlaw in Leslieville, August 31, 1981.

#137 Looking west through Leslieville near Queen and Carlaw, August 31, 1983.

#140 Dundas West and High Park Avenue, Toronto, 1982

Dundas West and High Park Avenue, Toronto, 1982

#145 Toronto Skyline, 1989

Toronto Skyline, 1989

#150 St. Clair and Dufferin, Toronto, 1983

St. Clair and Dufferin, Toronto, 1983

#155 Barber Shop, Toronto, 1981

Barber Shop, Toronto, 1981

#160 High Park, Toronto, 1985

High Park, Toronto, 1985

#165 Augusta Avenue, Toronto, 1983

Augusta Avenue, Toronto, 1983

#170 View from Gerrard and Mutual (looking east), Toronto, 1982

View from Gerrard and Mutual (looking east), Toronto, 1982

#175 Bloor West, Toronto, 1985

Bloor West, Toronto, 1985

#180 Carlton and Bleecker, Toronto, 1980

Carlton and Bleecker, Toronto, 1980

#185 Carlton Street, Toronto, 1980

Carlton Street, Toronto, 1980

#190 The Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, 1987

The Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada, 1987

#191 Aerial view of trains parked in station, Toronto, 1980s

#192 The Skydome under construction, some time around 1988.

The Skydome under construction, some time around 1988.

-1 Points
Upvote Downvote
Avatar of Aung Budhh

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

30 Comments