Walking Toronto streets - Wellesley

Another end-to-end exploration of a street - in this case Wellesley Street (which I lived on for a couple of years in the mid-80's). It runs from just west of the Don Valley through to the University of Toronto at Queen's Park.

Wellesley is "...named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, who is best known for his victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and for a short and unpopular tenure as Prime Minister of Britain between 1828 and 1830." (from Wikipedia). This walk starts at the east end (Don Valley) and goes west. Click on any picture to see a big version!  Also part of this map.

Wellesley Street starts at Wellesley Park. Perhaps I should have dipped a toe in the wading pool to mark the start of my trip.

Nice houses at the east end of Wellesley.

At Parliament Street. St James Town high rises start here.

These looked like quite well maintained row houses. Looks like some renovations are in their future. Originally completed in 1876. In the 'Second Empire' style.

I remember these nice-looking apartments from when I was first in Toronto. 'Ernescliffe Annex' just east of Sherbourne. It's actually a non-profit housing co-op. Completed in 1916.

An interesting story from someone on Facebook:

(In 1973) I moved into this building.

...When I lived there, it had beautiful crown molding in every room, and a large living room with a French door which opened onto a bright sunroom. A spacious kitchen, which included a walk-in pantry, a built-in walnut spice cabinet and even a dumbwaiter. Aside from the main entrance, a second door from the kitchen led outside. This lovely apartment was actually the old servants’ quarters, one on each floor, and the other, even larger apartments were serviced by the former resident servants who’d preceded me.

The most famous tenant, that I know of, was the poet, Robert Frost.

There were also tunnels under the building which were sealed off by the police around that time, to prevent children from getting into them and getting lost. 

I also remember these - 'Coral Gables No. 2 and No. 3' just east of Jarvis. Completed around 1928.

Jarvis Collegiate - SE corner of Jarvis and Wellesley.

The Keg Mansion and former McMaster and then Massey home just north of Wellesley on the east side of Jarvis. Built in 1867. The mansion to the left of the Keg Mansion (not much visible) was built by Hart Massey's son Chester D. Massey.

Just west of Jarvis on the south side of Wellesley. Originally 2 houses - the Charles Bedford house and the William Lawrence house. Was the national headquarters for the Red Cross for many years (including when I lived in the area in the 80's).

My old building for a couple of years. 80 Wellesley Street East.

Part of 'The Village' - corner of Church and Wellesley looking SE.

Just east of the Wellesley Station is Paul Kane house (the early Canadian artist) and apartments (which were done just after I came to Toronto - it was boarded up in '82-'84 then the additions were made). 

New condo building at the Wellesley Subway Station.

Looking west from Wellesley Station to the 'Wellesley on the Park Condominium Building'.

Across from the Wellesley Subway Station. Now the Fox and Fiddle, formerly the Jack Russell pub when I lived nearby, but originally built in 1873 as J.W.L. Forster House and then Somerset House.

A 'ghost sign' for M. Rawlinson Limited Toronto.

That is a LOT of scaffolding! Mowat Block - Government of Ontario building. 

The Whitney Block - more Government of Ontario buildings. The tower at the left has been abandoned for years. "While no longer used for office space, the tower remains as a distinctive feature of the building and contains one of the few operational hand-cranked elevators remaining in Toronto." 

Starting to get into U of T buildings now - this is Regis College, the Jesuit school of theology in Canada.

Ontario Legislative Buildings looking south from Wellesley.

Queen's Park (North of the Legislative Buildings).

And now the end of Wellesley Street at U of T. I'll follow it a few more steps up to U of T's Hart House circle (under the bridge and to the right).

And finally Hart House. Donated to U of T by Vincent Massey and named after his grandfather. Just beyond the end of Wellesley Street, but a nice picture to end on.