There is a little mystery to this week’s Throwback Thursday feature. This photograph from the Toronto Archives is labelled 410-412 Parliament St. and dated April 3, 1951. Why it has some mystery is that Parliament Street north of Gerrard Street East is numbered 400 and higher and there are currently no properties numbered 410-412.  See if you can figure it out before scrolling down to learn my theory.

Photo: Toronto Archives (toronto.ca)

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Figured it out…?
.
.
.
.
.
I believe the properties pictured are where Anniversary Park is located now and that this is the view taken from the south-east corner of Parliament Street and Gerrard Street East. The short jog between Gerrard Street East, east of Parliament and west of Parliament Street was not always there. I am not certain of this, but have included some images below that led to this conclusion. If you have other suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.

410 Parliament Street (according to Google Maps)

Jenny’s Convenience at 401 Parliament Street – North East corner of Parliament St. and Gerrard St. E.
(Google Maps images sometimes confuses actual addresses, but Jenny’s is truly at 401 Parliament Street)

Apartment entrance at 414 Parliament Street and NB Cleaners at 416 Parliament Street – North West corner or Parliament St. and Gerrard Street East, north of Anniversary Park

Aerial Map 1950
Aerial Map 1953