Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Dovercourt Branch, Toronto Public Library 1913

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2009

Photo Source - Toronto Public Library Digital Archive

At 1101 Bloor Street West, a block east of Dufferin Street, is what used to be called the Dovercourt Branch of the Toronto Public Library. Now the Bloor Gladstone Branch, there is this 2009 Heritage Toronto plaque in front of the building. Here's what the plaque has to say:

Coordinates: 43.659920 -79.434028

Originally named for its local community, the Dovercourt Branch was the first Toronto Public Library building to be constructed solely with funds from the City of Toronto, and without the aid of Carnegie grants. Designed by the Toronto firm Chapman and McGiffin, Architects, the branch is a Beaux Arts adaptation of the Italian Renaissance style. Its symmetrical plan features a low, hipped roof with extended eaves, Flemish bond brickwork with stone and terracotta detailing, and expansive round-arched windows. Considered the largest library branch in Canada at the time, the building was also noted for the outdoor reading terrace between the wings of its U-shaped plan. It was later renamed the Bloor/Gladstone Branch to indicate more clearly its location. Renovated and expanded in 1976, the building was nearly doubled in size with the completion, in 2009, of a contemporary addition on its western side.

More Toronto Public Library Plaques
Beaches Branch, Toronto Public Library
Earlscourt Branch, Toronto Public Library
George H. Locke Memorial Branch
High Park Branch, Toronto Public Library
Riverdale Branch, Toronto Public Library
Runnymede Branch, Toronto Public Library
Western Branch, Toronto Public Library
Weston Public Library
Yorkville Branch, Toronto Public Library

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> Posted August 24, 2011
I love this branch!

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