Tuesday Treasures

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September 2020 - Toronto ON

I have been collecting photos of Toronto lanes for a while now with an idea to post them. I will post here on a random basis.

Just 10 per cent of Toronto's more than 3,000 public laneways have a name. Usually the titles recognize community figures, events or local traditions, but many are delightfully strange with brilliant backstories.

Ching Lane - To commemorate the first person of Chinese origin to own a business in Toronto (a laundry) founded in 1877 at 9 Adelaide Street East. In 1878 Sam Ching was the first Chinese person listed in the City's directory.

It is located near Ching’s original address and not far from what would be Toronto’s first Chinatown. The laneway sign is a reminder of the contributions made by early Chinese immigrants to the city, and the racist attitudes and policies they had to contend with, from special business and head taxes to outright immigration bans.

Ching’s hand laundry — a common way to make a living for early Chinese immigrants who faced barriers of language and discrimination.

Ditty Lane - To commemorate the Ditty Hotel formerly located at Church and Queen

Leader Lane after the Toronto Leader, a newspaper whose offices were located there from 1852 to 1878.

It was the site of York's first jail and "hanging yard". The original jail, a log building, built in 1796, at the corner with Colborne Street has long since been demolished, but several buildings remain on the street which are over 100 years old.

Ice Cream Lane