Wychwood Barns
In a park that once housed a tannery, the first Wychwood car barns were built in 1913, with additions in 1916 and 1921. During these years, public transportation was vital to many Toronto neighbourhoods, due to the rationing of gasoline and tires, and the prohibition of automobile production.
As the oldest TTC buildings still kept in their original form, they illustrate the City's public transportation history. They were in fact, built by the City's newly formed Toronto Civic Railway Company because the privately-owned Toronto Railway Company refused to provide more service to the expanding city territory.
From a heritage perspective, the car barns are an excellent example of early 20th century industrial architecture - which was reflected in the surrounding neighbourhoods of Hillcrest, Bracondale and Wychwood Park. Though the car barns were closed in 1978, they continued to be used as a test site for modern streetcar models, and the Scarborough Rapid Transit line.
Protected under a heritage agreement, the car barns will continue to be a neighbourhood landmark as the Artscape Wychwood Barns, a .5 ha community arts and environmental centre.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Toronto Plaques. Full page here.