1926 Fairchild: Aerial Views of Fort York and Clarence Square

These rare low-level views are among the earliest commercial aerial photos taken of Toronto. Sherman Mills Fairchild was the father of aerial photography in North America during and immediately after the First World War who cast a very long shadow into the 1960s as an early backer of the manufacture of semiconductors. Following the establishment of Fairchild Aerial Surveys of Canada at Grand'mère, QC, in 1923, Toronto was among the first cities in North America to be recorded from the air using his specially-designed cameras.

The following view shows Fort York (middle left) south of the rail corridor and buried among the extensive buildings of Canadian Packers (formerly Park Blackwell); the Bathurst bridge before Bathurst Street was extended south of Front in 1929, necessitating the demolition of the packing plant; and the twin gasholders of the Consumers' Gas Company at Bathurst and Front. To the west (left) of the gasholders between the rail corridor and the curve of Niagara Street sit the Toronto Municipal Abattoir (now Quality Meats) and the Wellington Street incinerator.

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AERIAL VIEW OF FORT YORK, NOV. 17, 1926
Fairchild Aerial Surveys Co. of Canada
Image courtesy: Ontario Archives, Merrilees Coll. F 1125, A-6, Box 9, photo 4, AO 2773

Caption in process

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AERIAL VIEW OF CLARENCE SQUARE, NOV. 17, 1926
Fairchild Aerial Surveys Co. of Canada
Image courtesy: Ontario Archives, Merrilees Coll. F 1125, A-6, Box 9, photo x, AO 2773

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See also this pair of aerial photographs dated August 30, 1929. Observe that the packing plant at the east end of Fort York has been demolished, but Bathurst St. has not yet been extended to intersect Lakeshore Blvd. Nor has the Bathurst bridge been re-aligned:


Aerial view, Maple Leaf Stadium and environs
Image courtesy: City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 17770


Aerial view, Canadian National Exhibition
Image courtesy: City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 17771



Next map: 1947 City of Toronto: Regional Plan—Fort York and Surrounding Area
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