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Leslieville’s Industrial History: MADE IN TORONTO
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Illustration of the Dundas and Carlaw street signs

You are now at the heart of the industrial district.

At its peak in the late 1940s, Dundas and 
Carlaw would have hummed with railway activity, vehicular traffic, and workers arriving and leaving after their shifts on the Queen and Carlton streetcars.

Animation of a figure unfolding a map

At its peak in the late 1940s, Dundas and Carlaw would have hummed with railway activity, vehicular traffic, and workers arriving and leaving after their shifts on the Queen and Carlton streetcars.

7

Dundas + Carlaw
Intersection

 
Year:
1954

Harrold’s Coal Co., 346 Carlaw Ave. looking northwest to the future site of the Dundas and Carlaw intersection.
Dundas St East and Carlaw Ave intersection seen from the southeast corner, March 2019.

Left:  Harrold’s Coal Co., 346 Carlaw Ave.
looking northwest to the future site of the
Dundas and Carlaw intersection.
City of Toronto Department of Public Works

Right:  Dundas St. E. and Carlaw Ave.
intersection seen from the southeast corner, March 2019.
Image by Susan Drysdale

You might have smelled sweets, rubber, or harsh fumes from soap making. Smoke from factory chimneys filled the air.

Many workers also lived nearby, thanks to a boom in new homes built in the 1920s. When money was tight during the Great Depression, commuters would walk or only take the streetcar one way.

Black and white photograph of an unpaved, muddy street with a rail overpass in the background. Houses are on both sides of the street, with their garages visible.

Construction of Dundas St. E., looking towards the intersection with Carlaw Ave., September 1954.
City of Toronto Archives

Before the 1950s, this intersection did not exist
because this part of Dundas St. hadn’t been built.

The street was extended through here to ease rush-hour traffic in and out of downtown. In the process, the Woods factory, our next stop, was split in half.

The rail network that dominated the Dundas and Carlaw area supported the factories.

It made industry here attractive, but it was also one of the reasons why the neighbourhood began to decline.

Colour Wrigley's advertisement. Drawing is of a train pulling four cars, one for each product. The last car is for P.K Chewing Sweets, and there is an arrow pointing to it. Beside the arrow it says 'You Will Like The New One.' Below the picture it also says 'Peppermint flavoured, sugar coated-P.K. after every meal.'

It made industry here attractive, but it was also one of the reasons why the neighbourhood began to decline.

Wrigley advertisement for Spearmint, Doublemint,
Juicy Fruit and the new P. K. gum, 1921.
Wrigley

In the 1960s, trucking became cheaper and more convenient compared to rail.

Many businesses moved to factories in the suburbs to be closer to highways.

Rail loading dock at Wrigley, 1915
Wrigley

Rail loading dock at Wrigley, 1915
Wrigley

Illustration of railway crossing

Not all the trains are gone.

The former GTR railway is used today by passenger trains on the GO Transit Lakeshore East line between Union Station and Oshawa, east of Toronto, and Via Rail trains on the busy Quebec City–Windsor route.

This triangle of land
has transformed.

This new public plaza contains art inspired by the neighbourhood’s industrial heritage and railway legacy. Historical maps of the area are cut into the 9.6-metre steel obelisk that was created by internationally-acclaimed artist Pierre Poussin. A map from 1884 is at the bottom and a 2016 map is at the top. At night, the obelisk lights up from within.

Renderings of the plans for the revitalization on the Dundas/Carlaw intersection, including artwork and obelisk by artist Pierre Poussin.

“Brick Obelisk” by Pierre Poussin
Photo by Dave Nodwell

The pavement design by Schollen and Co. illustrates the railway network that made the neighbourhood thrive.

“Brick Obelisk” by Pierre Poussin
Photo by Dave Nodwell

Illustration of a figure pointing upward

     Check
it out ...

Curvy condos

Check out the condo buildings at the southeast corner of the intersection. A freight track used to come right through this intersection en route to the backs of the factories on the east side of Carlaw. Although the track is gone, the shapes of these recent condo buildings reflect its path.

Colour photograph of two curved modern glass condos with distinctive curved shapes.

Curvy condos at Dundas St. and Carlaw Ave., June 2018
Image by Susan Roden

Compass pointing north
Map to Next Stop

Ready to hit the next stop?

Staying on the south side of the street, head west on Dundas towards Logan Ave. On the way you will pass a mural - more on this at our next stop. Once you reach Logan Ave., head north at the lights. A plaque about our next stop, the Woods building, is located on the corner. Check it out on your way!

Continue north on Logan Ave. until you see a small set of stairs* on your right. Head up the stairs - at the top, look up at the Woods building and tower - this is your next stop.

* If you do not wish to use stairs, turn back to Dundas St. and head east towards Carlaw Ave. Once you reach Carlaw Ave., proceed north to Dickens St. Head west on Dickens St. until you see the Woods building and tower. You are at the next stop.

Careful! This is still and industrial area and there are no sidewalks, be mindful of traffic.

Full steam
ahead!

Next Stop