Local History Publications

Portion of book cover showing vintage photos men lined up in front of stores for sale or rented

Books by our staff about the history of Toronto neighbourhoods and the library — including walking tours. View these publications online or find copies to borrow. Some are available to purchase.

"Pssst, wanna know a secret? The Toronto Public Library produces some of the best local history books around." – The Globe and Mail

Neighbourhood histories

  • Cover for Abridged History of the Township of Scarborough

    An Abridged History of the Township of Scarborough

  • Cover for The Beach in Pictures

    The Beach in Pictures 1793–1932

    • Summary

      Traces the development of this unique lakeside neighbourhood, highlighting the area's important personalities, institutions and landmarks. Includes origin of 28 street names. Received a Toronto Historical Board Letter of Commendation.

      "a fascinating look at one of the city's oldest and most popular neighbourhoods." – Mike Filey, Sunday Sun

    • Publication details

      Mary Campbell and Barbara Myrvold; 44 pages, 48 black & white illustrations, 22 x 28 cm; 1988.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for Bloor Dufferin in Pictures

    Bloor Dufferin in Pictures

    • Summary

      Outlines the changes in this west end neighbourhood from its 19th century beginnings as a gentlemen's country retreat to one of the city's most multicultural areas.

      "An admirable job [...] the text is agreeably interspersed with over thirty fascinating photographs and drawings." – John Harkness, Canadian Materials

    • Publication details

      Cynthia Patterson, Carol McDougall and George Levin; 36 pages, 36 black & white illustrations; 22 x 28 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1986. Local History Handbook No. 5. ISBN 0920601006.

    • How to buy

      $8

      For sale at these branches (call ahead for availability):

    • Go to online copy

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  • Cover for Cabbagetown in Pictures

    Cabbagetown in Pictures

    • Summary

      The history of Cabbagetown is traced from its initial settlement by impoverished Irish immigrants to the diverse community of the 1980s, with an emphasis on recollections of residents from 1900 to 1940.

      "A delightful little treatise and a useful addition to the local history scene." – John Harkness, Canadian Materials

    • Publication details

      Colleen Kelly; 44 pages, 21 x 28 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1984. Local History Handbook No. 4. ISBN 0919486711.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for Danforth in Pictures

    The Danforth in Pictures

    • Summary

      Includes an overview history of the east end neighbourhood bordering Danforth Avenue, along with articles and pictures of local families, churches, schools, businesses, industries and transportation.

    • Publication details

      Barbara Myrvold; 37 pages, 55 black & white illustrations, 23 x 29 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1979. Local History Handbook No. 3.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for A History of Scarborough

    A History of Scarborough

  • Cover for Memories of Scarborough

    Memories of Scarborough: A Bicentennial Celebration

  • Cover for The Mimico Story

    The Mimico Story

    • Summary

      A history of the west-end waterfront neighbourhood, from Indigenous settlements to 1966. Includes sections on geology, early families, politics, transportation, education, religion and sports.

    • Publication details

      Harvey Currell; 2nd edition (revised); 46 pages, 170 pages; Town of Mimico & Mimico Library Board, 1967.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for North Toronto in Pictures

    North Toronto in Pictures 1889–1912

    • Summary

      Based on a display at the George H. Locke Memorial Branch. Includes "A Brief History of North Toronto" by Barbara Myrvold.

    • Publication details

      Barbara Myrvold; 32 pages, 42 black & white illustrations, 22 x 28 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1974. Local History Handbook No. 1.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for Parkdate in Pictures

    Parkdale in Pictures: Its Development to 1889

    • Summary

      Tracks the evolution of the Parkdale area from its beginning as an Indigenous portage route and French fur trading post to its annexation to Toronto in 1889. The book focuses on Parkdale's decade as an independent municipality, 1879–1889. Gives origins of 45 Parkdale street names.

    • Publication details

      Margaret Laycock and Barbara Myrvold; 64 pages, 71 black & white illustrations, 22 x 28 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1991. Local History Handbook No. 7. ISBN 092060112X.

    • How to buy

      $10

      For sale at these branches (call ahead for availability):

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  • Cover for The People of Scarborough

    The People of Scarborough: A History

    • Summary

      A chronological overview of the many diverse peoples and cultures that have contributed to Scarborough's economic, cultural and social development. Received a Heritage Toronto 1999 Certificate of Commendation.

      "[...] complements and expands the library board's ongoing commitment to both multiculturalism and local history." – Scarborough Mirror
      "[...] filled with enough facts and tables to satisfy even the most erudite historical nit-pickers, it is the triumphs and struggles of the many settlers that make this volume interesting." – Carol Stimmel, Beach Metro News

    • Publication details

      Barbara Myrvold; 270 pages, 29 black & white illustrations; 24 cm, Scarborough Public Library, 1997.

    • How to buy

      $8

      For sale at these branches (call ahead for availability):

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  • Cover for Signposts to Scarborough's Rural Past

    Signposts to Scarborough's Rural Past: A Photographic Journey

  • Cover for St. Clair West in Pictures

    St. Clair West in Pictures: A History of the Communities of Carlton, Davenport, Earlscourt and Oakwood

    • Summary

      The history of the communities that border St. Clair Avenue West between Oakwood Avenue and Old Weston Road. This third edition is more than 20 pages longer than earlier editions, with many more pictures and maps, as well as a detailed index. A new highlight tells about St. Clair's streetcars, part of the thoroughfare since 1913, and an updated history covers recent events. "Origin of Local Street Names" features the story of 43 streets. Heritage Toronto's Award of Merit winner in 1999.

      "Just like the dozen other books Ms. Myrvold has been involved with for the TPL, this is a thoroughly researched document of a place that is all but gone. In this case, it's a mostly working-class area just like the kind almost everyone has lived in at one time but almost every publisher overlooks. […] Thanks to the Toronto Public Library, that's no longer the case." – Dave Leblanc, The Globe and Mail
      "This is a rich portrait. [...] Byers and Myrvold take pains to cover every aspect of history, but do it with enough style to make the text entertaining, a kaleidoscope rather than an inventory. . . . Many a photographic jaw-dropper in this fine addition to a series that is itself one of the many outstanding contributions the TPL has made to life in old Toronto." – Ted Mumford, NOW

    • Publication details

      Nancy Byers and Barbara Myrvold; 158 pages, 141 black & white illustrations, 20.5 x 25.5 cm; Toronto Public Library, 2008. Local History Handbook No. 8. ISBN 07809206021624.

    • How to buy

      $20

      For sale at these branches (call ahead for availability):

    • 2008 edition online copy

      1999 edition online copy

      Find a 2008 edition library copy

      Find a 1999 edition library copy

      Find a 1997 edition library copy

  • Cover for Their Memories book

    Their Memories: A Collaborative Project of the North York Public Library and the North York Seniors Centre

    • Summary

      In this delightful collection of anecdotes, eight local residents recall life in North York in the 1920s and 1930s.

    • Publication details

      21 pages, 11 black & white illustrations, 21 cm; North York Public Library, North York Seniors Centre, 1987.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for Yorkville in Pictures

    Yorkville in Pictures 1835–1883

    • Summary

      Outlines Yorkville's history, buildings, and people, especially during its 30 years as a village prior to its 1883 annexation to Toronto.

      "excellent pictures [...] each accompanied by a brief history, which together add up to a very readable story of the municipality whose toll gate at one time was the northern entry point for Toronto." – John McIntyre, York Pioneer

    • Publication details

      Stephanie Hutcheson; 32 pages, 42 black & white illustrations, 22 x 28 cm; Scarborough Public Library, 1978. Local History Handbook No. 2. ISBN 091948669X.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

Walking tours

  • Cover for Historical Walking Tour of Deer Park

    Historical Walking Tour of Deer Park

    • Summary

      Illustrates and documents the history of 27 sites in Deer Park, the Toronto neighbourhood flanking Yonge Street from the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks in the south to the old Toronto Belt Line Railway Bridge in the north. Received a Toronto Historical Board Letter of Commendation.

      "Although intended as a guidebook [...] the lively text and numerous illustrations make it an enjoyable armchair tour as well." – John Marshall, York Pioneer Update
      View tour map

    • Publication details

      Joan C. Kinsella; 60 pages, 56 black & white illustrations, 22 x 29 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1996. ISBN 092060126X.

    • How to buy

      $8

      For sale at these branches (call ahead for availability):

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  • Cover for Historical Walking Tour of Kensington Market and College Street

    Historical Walking Tour of Kensington Market & College Street

    • Summary

      Includes 24 sites in and around Kensington Market. Gives origins of 24 local street names.br />

      "This helpful booklet covers the area between Major Street and Palmerston Boulevard." – Ontario Historical Society Bulletin

    • Publication details

      Barbara Myrvold; 44 pages, 34 black & white illustrations, 22 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1993. ISBN 0920601189.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for Historical Walking Tour of Kew Beach

    Historical Walking Tour of Kew Beach

    • Summary

      Presents the history and 24 heritage sites of Kew Beach between Woodbine Avenue and Scarborough Beach Boulevard from Lake Ontario to the north side of Queen Street East.

      "Kew Beach book is a winner." – Sheila Blinoff, Beach Metro News
      View tour map

    • Publication details

      Mary Campbell and Barbara Myrvold; 56 pages, 34 black & white illustrations, 22 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1995. ISBN 0929691243.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

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      Find a library copy

  • Cover for Historical Walking Tour of Lawrence Park

    Historical Walking Tour of Lawrence Park

    • Summary

      Originally published in 1994, the 2007 edition features 33 stops highlighting 48 houses and other sites of architectural and historical interest. Includes an overview history of Lawrence Park: biographies of major architects and important residents and more than 50 illustrations of historic maps, archival photographs and drawings. Many of these historical images are from early promotional materials for Lawrence Park and are identified for the first time. One of the book's many new features is "Lost Lawrence Park", listing original houses that have been demolished and replaced with new buildings.

      "[W]ell told and handily laid out... yet another useful offering from Barbara Myrvold and the Toronto Public Library's team of indefatigable historians." – John Bentley Mays, Globe & Mail
      "The century-old history of the Lawrence Park community is back in print form, with a recent re-issue of a book highlighting some of the area's most notable sites." – Justin Skinner, Toronto City Centre Mirror
      "[A] fascinating new booklet filled with old photos and interesting facts" – Mike Filey, Toronto Sunday Sun
      View tour map (main route)
      View tour map (extended route)

    • Publication details

      Barbara Myrvold and Lynda Moon; 66 pages, 4 colour illustrations, 50 black & white illustrations, 22 cm; Toronto Public Library Board in partnership with Lawrence Park Ratepayers’ Association and North Toronto Historical Society. Revised and expanded edition, 2007. ISBN 978092061594.

    • How to buy

      $10

      For sale at these branches (call ahead for availability):

    • 2007 edition online copy

      1995 edition online copy

      Find a 2007 edition library copy

      Find a 1995 edition library copy

  • Cover for Historical Walking Tour of North York Centre

    Historical Walking Tour of North York Centre: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of North York Central Library 1987–2012

    • Summary

      Discover one of Toronto's most interesting and surprising neighbourhoods in this walking tour featuring ten stops and 20 sites in the vicinity of North York Central Library at 5120 Yonge Street. Produced in partnership with the North York Historical Society, the North York Community Preservation Panel and Gibson House Museum.

    • Publication details

      Mary Ann Cross, Geoff Kettel and Barbara Myrvold; 30 pages, 12 coloured illustrations, 18 black & white illustrations; 28 cm; Toronto Public Library Board, 2012.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for Historical Walking tour of the Danforth

    Historical Walking Tour of the Danforth

    • Summary

      The route covers 22 stops in the Danforth area from the Prince Edward Viaduct east to Pape Avenue. Gives origin of 25 local street names.

      "Hits the area's high spots from Broadview to Pape, with photos and anecdotes of mansions and bygone dignitaries, as well as the area's churches, banks and business landmarks." – Toronto's Mid-Town Voice

    • Publication details

      Barbara Myrvold; 32 pages, 28 black & white illustrations, 22 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1992.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

Library history & collection

  • Cover for A A Bibliography of Canadiana

    A Bibliography of Canadiana

    • Summary

      An early catalogue with notes and indexes not available in TPL's online catalogue.

    • Publication details

      Multiple authors across its editions. Published in 1934, it was supplemented in 1957 and 1985–1989.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for A Century of Ontario Broadsides

    A Century of Ontario Broadsides 1793–1893

    • Summary

      A broadside is a sheet of paper printed on one side only. Today we call this a poster or an announcement. These samples from Toronto Public Library's collections include government notices, election posters, advertisements and announcements. They are valuable not only for historical purposes, but to document the development of printing in the province.

    • Publication details

      Edith G. Firth; 20 pages, 51 black & white facsimiles, 21 x 28 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1965.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for A Century of Service: Toronto Public Library 1883-1983

    A Century of Service: Toronto Public Library 1793–1893

    • Summary

      This illustrated, popular history looks back at the events and people that shaped the library. A chronology provides dates of all library buildings and key services. Produced for Toronto Public Library's centennial in 1983.

      "Dr. Penman has managed to epitomize the development and impact of Toronto's library system during its first 100 years, relating the facts in a lively and interesting fashion [...] This history should appeal to the general reader as well as to the scholar." – John A. Wiseman, Canadian Library Journal
      "[A] massive in-house research project was turned into an economical, yet flavourful, well-written narrative [...] The excellent illustrations are well integrated, drip with nostalgia and contribute as much to the final result as does the text." – Al Bowran, OLA Focus

    • Publication details

      Margaret Penman; 102 pages, 110 black & white illustrations, 21 x 28 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1983.

    • How to buy

      $5.50

      For sale at these branches (call ahead for availability):

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  • Cover for Early Toronto Newspapers

    Early Toronto Newspapers 1793–1867

    • Summary

      Annotated catalogue which names the publisher and describes the political orientation of 82 newspapers published in Toronto from its beginnings to Confederation.

    • Publication details

      Edith G. Firth; 32 pages, 50 black & white facsimiles, 22 x 28 cm; Baxter Publishing Company in cooperation with the Toronto Public Library, 1961.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

      Find a library copy

  • Cover for Landmarks of Canada

    Landmarks of Canada: A Guide to the J. Ross Robertson Canadian HIstorical Collection in the Toronto Public Library

    • Summary

      Descriptive catalogue of over 4,000 paintings, drawings, prints and photographs of Canadian scenes and peoples, from the 18th century to 1918. The collection is especially rich in material relating to Toronto.

    • Publication details

      Illustrated Reprint Edition of Volume I (1917) and Volume II (1921) with a consolidated index; 383 pages, 66 black & white illustrations, 23 x 27 cm; Toronto Public Library, 1967.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Go to online copy

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  • Cover for The Most Attractive Resort in Town

    The Most Attractive Resort in Town: Public Library Service in West Toronto Junction 1888–2009

    • Summary

      This chronicle goes back to 1888, when library service was introduced to the area by the West Toronto Junction Mechanics’ Institute. It extends to 2009, the 100th anniversary of the opening of Toronto Public Library’s Carnegie-funded branch on Annette Street. New edition features more illustrations and detailed index. Overviews key personalities, major community events and trends that influenced the library’s growth. A special section is provided on Ellis and Connery, the architectural firm who planned the Carnegie library as well as more than 50 other local buildings.

      " [...] as much a history of the Junction as it is a history of the impressive library on Annette Street. [...] And now, thanks to Ms. Myrvold's book, the secret of the Junction's colourful history, characters and architecture is as close as the nearest library." – Dave LeBlanc, The Globe & Mail

      "[...] this profusely illustrated book describes the history of the public library in the West Toronto Junction area of our city from the opening of the community's original Mechanics' Institute in 1888." – Mike Filey, Toronto Sun

      "Overall, this is one of the best micro library histories produced in Canada to date and it can be used to document broader studies." – Lorne Bruce, Libraries Today Blog

    • Publication details

      Barbara Myrvold; 2nd edition (expanded); 82 pages, 126 black & white illustrations, 28 cm; Toronto Public Library Board, 2009.

    • How to buy

      $20

      For sale at these branches (call ahead for availability):

    • Go to online copy

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  • Cover for Recording Toronto

    Recording Toronto

    • Summary

      A catalogue of selected pictures of early buildings and street scenes in the Town of York and the City of Toronto from the John Ross Robertson Historical Collection and other picture collections of the Toronto Public Library.

    • Publication details

      Elspeth Smith; 36 pages, one coloured illustration, 50 black & white illustrations; Toronto Public Libraries, 1960.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

    • Find a library copy

  • Cover for Toronto and Early Canada

    Toronto and Early Canada

    • Summary

      This is a supplement to Landmarks of Canada and includes information on 1,000 images.

    • Publication details

      63 pages, 31 black & white illustrations, 21 x 28 cm; Baxter Publishing Company in cooperation with the Toronto Public Library, 1964.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

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  • Cover for York Upper Canada Minutes of Town Meetings and Lists of Inhabitants

    York, Upper Canada, Minutes of Town Meetings and Lists of Inhabitants 1797–1823

    • Summary

      The earliest Colonial record of the residents of the area that is now the City of Toronto.

    • Publication details

      Christine Mosser (editor); 185 pages; Metropolitan Toronto Library Board, 1984. ISBN 0887730280.

    • How to buy

      No longer available for purchase.

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