North York Heritage Murals

There are two plaques at this location.
Both can be seen on this page.

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted October, 2006

This mural is located along the east wall on the northbound platform of the North York Centre subway station. A 1988 City of North York/Toronto Transit Commission plaque just to the left of the mural has this to say:

Plaque coordinates: 43.76843 -79.41274

This rural view looks up Yonge Street, which climbed the North Hill out of Hogg's Hollow and went across gently sloping farmland toward the little town of Lansing in the distance.

Saw mills were common on the West Branch of the Don River in this area, and had been essential for cutting lumber. Most of the flat land in this area had been cleared by the 1850's.

Today this peaceful scene has been transformed into a modern cityscape of office buildings and Highway 401 which bridge it from side to side.

The old North York place names across the top of this East-side mural are (or were) located East of a true compass line drawn Northwest to Southeast through the old farming community of Lansing. Lansing is included on this side.

Commissioned by the City, these scenes of our heritage have been captured by North York artists Nicholas and Susana Craven and effected through a unique process invented by The Artessa Studio, also of North York. Each mural contains more than 5000 inlaid ceramic tiles and took over a year to make. Together they are the only works of their kind in North America.

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted December, 2006

This mural is located along the west wall on the southbound platform. A 1988 City of North York/Toronto Transit Commission plaque just to the right of the mural has this to say:

This 'urban' view looks West along Sheppard Avenue. The Dempsey Store, originally built by Joseph Shepard Jr. was the largest building in the area and still stands today.

To the right waits a Yonge Street stage-coach, on the Newmarket to Toronto run. This Concord-type coach is outlined by part of Cornelius van Nostrand's wagon and carriage shop behind it.

To the left is the famous Golden Lion Hotel. A typical farm wagon (centre) makes a right turn onto Sheppard Avenue.

The old North York place names across the top of this West-side mural are (or were) located West of a true compass line drawn Northwest to Southeast through the old farming community of Lansing.

Commissioned by the City, these scenes of our heritage have been captured by North York artists Nicholas and Susana Craven and effected through a unique process invented by The Artessa Studio, also of North York. Each mural contains more than 5000 inlaid ceramic tiles and took over a year to make. Together they are the only works of their kind in North America.

More
Transportation
North York plaques

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

(none yet)

Here's where you can write a comment for this page.

Note: If you wish to ask me a question, please use the email link in the menu.

Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours
(usually much sooner).