College Subway Station

College Subway Station - Interior

The College Subway Station is on the Yonge-University Spadina Line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). It was opened March 1954 to the public and is situated at the corner(s) of College/Carlton and Yonge Streets.  Along both sides of the tracks, you'll notice wall murals of the Toronto Maple Leafs going Northbound and The Montreal Canadiens (long time rivals) on the Southbound side.  Some of the pictures are really quite funny to look at, and we had a good laugh! You'll notice exiting the platform a sign to "Maple Leaf Gardens still exists.   Although the "Gardens" have been dormant since 2001, marking a 67 year tradition, there has been several years of negotiations and arbitrations which has resulted in the decision whereas by 2011, the building will serve as a Loblaws superstore as well as an athletic facility to be shared with nearby Ryerson University students.  

The Ticket!

In its day the Gardens had season ticket holders for loyal Toronto Maple Leaf fans and as I recalled ascending an escalator ride to the nosebleed section, it was still a thrill to be there!  During Harold Ballards rein between 1972 and 1988, his son promoted the Gardens as an Entertainment venue and I still remember seeing Rush March 8, 1988! Other great acts were Elvis (1972), Abba, Van Halen, Aerosmith, the Who and the Stones.  


On street level from the College Subway, you will find College Park, which is an historical building that now houses residences of the elite, government offices, and a main concourse with permanent tenants as Winners, Metro and Deboers Furniture.  College Park was built in 6 months at a cost of 1.5 million dollars, owned by Timothy Eaton in 1928.  Due to its historical value, the building is now protected under the Ontario Heritage Act (see my Rosedale link).  Just being at College and Yonge you can't help but get caught up in the excitement of the busy pubs, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues along the Yonge strip!

College Park

This is how we compromise heritage with progress.   

Finch Subway Station

Inside Finch Subway

The Finch Subway station is on the Yonge-University Spadina Line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). It opened March 1974 to the public. It is located at the corners of Yonge and Finch in North York. I grew up in North York and remained here for most of my life and in that time, things had changed dramatically since yester years. Although I grudgingly accepted the change at first due to the fact it was tampering with my childhood memories, I must admit every time I see the section from Sheppard to Finch on Yonge Street, I am awestruck with its beauty.

Thanks to the vision of our past Mayor, Mel Lastman, we saw first the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts , the North York Civic Centre (Mel Lastman Square) and of course the Sheppard Subway line which travels east from Don Mills Station to Sheppard / Yonge. The Finch subway is an extremely busy station as it is also a gateway to Brampton, York Region as well as a GO Station terminal. As the busiest station on the system as far as bus routes go, it serves over 95,000 people a day.

Yonge and Finch

The luxurious and corporate feel surround both the interior and exterior of the Finch station.On the lower level is the North American Building. The Xerox Tower is also near by.  Gorgeous condominiums loom the skyscape and plenty of karaoke night clubs and pubs along the Yonge strip. A 24 hour Shoppers Drug Mart in sight and what more could a girl ask for? A great place to work and live; accessible and professional.

North American Building