Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

Western Branch, Toronto Public Library 1909

Photos by Alan L Brown - November, 2009

Here, on the left edge of this photograph, can been seen a 2009 Heritage Toronto plaque. This is what it says:

Library service was introduced to this area by the West Toronto Junction Mechanics' Institute in 1888. Twenty years later, Toronto Junction received a Carnegie grant to construct this library, which opened in September 1909. By this time, the City of Toronto had annexed the the municipality and the building became the Western Branch of the Toronto Public Library. Ellis & Connery, the architecture firm of Junction resident James A. Ellis, designed the building in the Beaux Arts style, typical of many Carnegie-funded libraries. The exterior is defined by strong symmetry, a broad flight of stairs leading to a raised single storey, and entrance doors flanked by a pair of Corinthian columns. 'Public Library' is inscribed in the parapet above. The branch was renamed the Annette Street Branch in 1962; an addition to the west was completed in a 1979-80 renovation. After Yorkville Branch, Annette Street Branch is the Toronto Public Library's second-oldest building.

Related Toronto plaque pages
West Toronto Junction
Yorkville Branch, Toronto Public Library 1907

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.663319 -79.466407

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