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Toronto's hardiest photographers have been hauling tripods, lenses, and film stock on to the city's rooftops for centuries. Though it's certainly been taken to new heights recently by local photographers and others, there's always been something edifying in taking a step back and observing the city from a distance.
The first rooftop images of Toronto were taken in 1856 by the firm of Armstrong, Beere & Hime as part of a bid by the city to become the capital of the Province of Canada. It worked, too. Toronto was the designated capital - as it had been previously from 1849 to 1852 - until 1858 when Quebec City and finally Ottawa nabbed the title.
Since then, there have been countless images taken of the city from the tops of buildings, each one capturing our metropolis in a constant state of flux. Toronto's landmarks are being built in the background, streetcar tracks are appearing, and sidewalks and roads are growing ever busier.
Later, parking lots, weaving train lines, and endless concrete dominate the landscape as the city's first skyscrapers and the CN Tower claim the skyline.
Look closely and spot the differences to today.
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Osgoode Hall and York Street from the roof of the Rossin House HotelImage may be NSFW.
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Northwest from the Rossin House HotelImage may be NSFW.
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North up Bay Street to Old City HallImage may be NSFW.
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The lost University Avenue Armouries, home of the Toronto Regiments of the Canadian Army. Eaton's and the Ford Hotel are in the background.Image may be NSFW.
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Island airpot and original terminal buildingImage may be NSFW.
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The dirigible R-100 over the Canadian Bank of CommerceImage may be NSFW.
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Front and Wellington and the Gooderham Building (Flatiron)Image may be NSFW.
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Old City Hall, likely from the roof of the Temple BuildingImage may be NSFW.
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Looking west from the roof of Old Union StationImage may be NSFW.
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The Royal York Hotel under construction opposite new Union Station Image may be NSFW.
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Spadina Avenue and One Spadina CrescentImage may be NSFW.
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The Toronto Star building and next to the former offices of the Globe on King WestImage may be NSFW.
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Looking east on Front Street past the Queen's Hotel, a precursor to the Royal YorkImage may be NSFW.
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A dizzying look down at King and YongeImage may be NSFW.
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A view up a tree-lined University Avenue from the Canada Life buildingImage may be NSFW.
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The site of current City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square from the Canada Life buildingImage may be NSFW.
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Yonge Street at nightImage may be NSFW.
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A bleak scene on Front Street East featuring the old north market buildingImage may be NSFW.
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King and Simcoe before the rail sidings were removed for Roy Thompson Hall and Metro HallImage may be NSFW.
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A similar view, slightly later, showing the site of Metro Hall and the Princess of Wales TheatreImage may be NSFW.
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The cars are the most colourful things in this dreary shot of the Sony Centre, then the O'Keefe CentreImage may be NSFW.
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King and Bay streets before TD Centre and First Canadian PlaceImage may be NSFW.
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Yonge and College/Carlton from the roof of the College ParkImage may be NSFW.
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Yonge and Dundas and beyond before the square arrivedImage may be NSFW.
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The Bathurst Street bridge squeezes multiple rail corridors before the condos arrivedImage may be NSFW.
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City Hall before the Sheraton and Eaton Centre - the Simpson Tower is still under constructionImage may be NSFW.
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The Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the SkydomeChris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Images: City of Toronto Archives
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