Sunnyside Amusement Area Commemorative Plaque, 2014
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Original JPG File | 8400 × 6000 pixels (50.4 MP) 71.1 cm × 50.8 cm @ 300 PPI |
7.9 MB | Restricted |
Low resolution print | 2000 × 1429 pixels (2.86 MP) 16.9 cm × 12.1 cm @ 300 PPI |
928 KB | Restricted |
Screen | 1120 × 800 pixels (0.9 MP) 9.5 cm × 6.8 cm @ 300 PPI |
288 KB | Restricted |
Resource ID
5141
Access
Open
Address
Sunnyside Amusement Area
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2014
Historical Themes
Entertainment and Leisure, Performing Arts, Sports History
Program Category
Historical Plaques
Rights
Heritage Toronto
Time Period
1900-1953
Caption
Sunnyside Amusement Area Commemorative Plaque, 2014
Description
From 1922 until 1955, few summer attractions in Toronto were more popular than the Sunnyside Amusement Area. Located to the east of the bathing pavilion, the park was created by extending the shoreline with fill dredged from the bottom of Lake Ontario. The Toronto Harbour Commission appointed the firm Chapman, Oxley & Bishop to design both thepark and its buildings as part of a larger waterfront plan.
Established as a summer destination, Sunnyside was modelled after English and American resorts. Most visitors arrived by streetcar, drawn to the midway rides, the games of chance, and the large outdoor swimming pool. Other attractions included the Miss Toronto beauty pageant, daredevil performers, and musical acts at the Seabreeze dance hall.
Following the Second World War, attendance at Sunnyside Amusement Area declined. Plans for roadway development along the lakeshore contributed to its uncertain future. In November 1955, while closed for the winter, Sunnyside suffered three fires; most of its buildings were demolished in the following months.
Marker lat / long: 43.637884, -79.456376 (WGS84)