What Toronto Looked Like in the 1980s

[@a.jlondon9039]

Thank You for keeping the memory of my city alive.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks for watching!

[@DonaldBacon-l4x]

Yep....great way to put it...for a guy now residing in Calgary for the past 20 years

[@michaelpark5681]

Everyone looks sane, healthy and happy.

[@breadmaker]

I can assure you that was not the case.

[@barbiesguy]

Welcome back Old Toronto Series! We have missed you!!

[@MikeDS49]

(puts on rose coloured glasses) At the time, Toronto had what was regarded the best transit system in North America, Eaton Center had the largest cinema in the world (?), the city had the Worlds Biggest Bookstore, Ontario Place was fully functional, the Scarborough LRT was shiny and new, the Gardner and Don Valley still seemed like good ideas, the Hoser Parade with Bob and Doug MacKenzie happened, Much Music was getting kick started in the CHUM-City building, the city wasn't amalgamated yet.

[@breadandcircus2012]

That was awesome, my man! I really miss the 80s Toronto. It was so much better and exciting!

[@davidlelacheur3217]

I moved to Toronto in 1980 lived there till 1994 I still go back, but this is the city I remember!

[@blankblanker7627]

Back when sundays were family day and nothing was open no malls,movie theatres nothing. These were the best times!!!!

[@Brunettte-Barbie]

5th gen Torontonian, still here. Born in 1982. THIS was my childhood. The Eaton Centre (meeting at the fountain if we got lost), Lime Ricky’s, Lick’s and Toby’s burgers, walking down Yonge with my mum and sister and my mum holding our hands tightly in the sketchy bits, the Spaghetti Factory for birthday parties , St. Lawrence market and the smell of fish that stuck to your clothes , going to the Ex in the summer and watching my sister scream on the polar express. I was too afraid to go on rides. Huge lineups for Tiny Tom’s doughnuts (that hasn’t changed). This just made me so nostalgic and really sad in a weird way. Thanks for posting. 🥲❤

[@hmishin843]

I moved to Toronto from Europe when I was 21 in 1979 and lived there until 1996. Toronto was truly special, it was exciting and full of life, but it was also one of North America's safest large cities. I wish that I could turn back the clock, even for a minute, I lived the best years of my life there. Thanks a million for the memories.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Come back any time!

[@PeterMorkel-fh8br]

Toronto is still one of the safest cities in North America. The murder rate was actually higher in the 1980s in Toronto.

[@ghenderson2022]

It’s painful watching this! The memories are overwhelming! Everything was cheap and fun! Garbage now!

[@NomiSyed1]

What a blast from the past.. thanks for posting bro.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@travisazzopardi8024]

Kinda sketchy? Um, maybe a little bit (much more so in the 70s) I'd bet most people older than 55 would prefer to have it back over what Yonge is today. I personally preferred it in the 80s and I know I'm not alone in that feeling. It's soulless now. Really miss Mr. Greenjeans and JJ Muggs in the Eaton Centre and The Hard Rock Cafe across the street. And the planetarium, which Mike Harris closed when it was still profitable. 💔♥️

[@amrebrahimproductions3965]

Yonge st on a Friday night was amazing.

[@kerrbear1980]

Biway tshirt!! Man i miss toronto before the wall of condos

[@freedomfreedom9523]

Toronto was the best in the 70s and 80s

[@hardyboy1959]

I spent my twenties in this Toronto, good times! Thanks for posting!

[@light-yi2me]

I was there in 80’s ❤ bunch of us young kids made a long trip from Winnipeg to Toronto , no seatbelts 😂🤣😂

[@jimatreidēs]

You’ve brought back some very fond memories!

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thats the goal!

[@bskinny9009]

I remember the summer of '83 when the jays played a doubleheader against the Yankees in August. Winfield threw a baseball into the grandstand and I caught it. I still have that ball.

[@cjwestside]

Used to be so proud of this city

[@FrankKnight8846]

Toronto was a much better and a safer city back in the days.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Crime was actually higher for most of the 80s compared to now. Yonge st also was made of dozens and dozens of strip clubs and peep shows.

[@skyemac8]

@@OldTorontoSeriesWrong. Strip clubs were ugly but legal.

[@FrankKnight8846]

@@OldTorontoSeries Thats not true. I was around in the 80’s. Me and my older cousins were always hanging around DT and in arcades. So crime was very minimal and it was more safe. The crimes today are extremely high.

[@AK.__]

Thank you, great video. The people look happier and healthier. Even in 90-s we had childhood like that, but not any more.

[@matteovitacco3735]

Nope evil

[@tombikes4164]

Thanks. Lots of memories.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

You bet!

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Lived this and loved this look back. Thank you. 🤩

[@rickspencer6573]

I really enjoyed going to Toronto in the early 80's. I'd go with my buddies for a weekend and, most of the time, we spent on Younge street, just walking and shopping. Endless hours in Sam the Record Man, A & A Records, Records on Wheels, and, several shops selling used and import records. Most of my music collection was picked up on Younge street. I also remember how safe I felt walking at night in downtown Toronto. Also, the rock bar life was amazing. The Gas Works was my favorite bar. I recall so many Canadian bands that were later successful. Best time of my early 20's, no question about it. Miss those days,

[@gymguy25]

First time I visited Toronto was as a kid in 1989, one of my fondest childhood memories, coming from a city where the tallest building was 20 stories to seeing 70+ story buildings and what was then the tallest freestanding structure on Earth!

[@miguelbotelho2613]

I totally remember this, now if you downtown it’s almost totally unrecognizable

[@edwardbliss8931]

I hate 2024. I want to go back to the summer of 1987 and just stay there

[@ront769]

Drop me off in summer 88' on your way going back!

[@wsuther]

Love it, the Toronto everyone loves

[@gabithemagyar]

Brought back a lot of memories ! Thank you :-)

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@DragonActual]

This is likely impossible to find but ever found any photos or video of the zen garden water fountain at sherway gardens? Its something I remember and thus far there's no media of it out there (I recall seeing a youtube video a long time ago but no trace of that is left)

[@keithstevens5614]

Came to Toronto early in 1990. Upon visiting downtown back then you most notably noticed the CN Tower, Skydome, First Canada Place and the Scotia Plaza. TD building was added few years later. You also noticed the futuristic Sears store covered with yellow tiles back then and that office building covered with gold-tinted windows. Other than the very core, most of downtown resembled the Bloor Street, and outskirts were lined up with concrete and brick apartment buildings. The Woodbine shopping mall made great impression on me because of the ferris wheel and all the arcades. And the music and fashions were much better back then. And girls much sexier.

[@yomichee]

Best era for Toronto ! Clean safe interesting fun miss those days so glad I never made the decision to move into the city look what it turned into 😢

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Crime was actually worse in the 80s. Just think about the dozens of strip clubs along Yonge that no longer exist.

[@skyemac8]

@@OldTorontoSeriesFact check - Stats Can says homicides doubled in the 2020’s vs. 1980’s.

[@andygrenn680]

Miss Toronto when it was plain and simple. Cabins and log houses everywhere. No electricity or running water. Those were the good ole days!

[@daviddorward7684]

I still live in the GTA but am nostalgic for the Toronto of the past pre 1990 when there was a vibe to the city and things actually worked. Today it is an uber expensive mess that I really have little desire to visit and the TRAFFIC. OMG. A friend went to a luncheon in downtown Toronto where Anthony Fury, who is running for city council, and all anyone could talk about was the trek/horrible traffic, they had to brave to get there. Oh man, IMHO Toronto of old is gone and the glory days are gone. Run for your life!!

[@FF-qe7fu]

dad says if he could die and relive this era of Toronto over a thousand times he would in a heart beat

[@andygrenn680]

I have very few friends to tell about this amazing video..

[@flexx7543]

Canada full of mojo, vibrant, promissing then one of the greatest nations on Earth...now? uncertain, saddled and insecure of itself, wealthier but less prosperous.

[@OutWestwithJeff]

Great video! Cheers from Vancouver ...

[@khunopie9159]

17:20 Remembering Pupples McPupperson. Was such a goooood dog! RIP

[@TheresaGunn-tt5zp]

This is a great video

[@JohnnyT002]

I visited Toronto Back then and we stayed at the Neil Wycik Summer Hotel on Gerrard Street. And Yes Yonge Street was a bit sketchy back then. Kind of like but not as bad as 42nd Street in New York was back then.

[@freedomfreedom9523]

I go to the art gallery all the time the antique minature perfume bottles are my favourite I have them on my phone and the infinity mirror room they have now is amazing

[@lisaGTorontogirl]

Wow. Great videos recognize many places. Eaton centre. My childhood was spent there movies. Later on QueenSt and yorkville hazelton lanes. Somanygreat memories sad Toronto isn’t as great as back then in my opinion. I know I Not alone in this

[@ratface44]

Awesome!! Where'd you get that By-way shirt? I want one.

[@alexsmith-ob3lu]

I was born in the 2000s, but wow, I felt like I lived in the booming ‘80s!!

[@evad520]

Anyone remember the name of the Record Store on like the 3ed floor at Eaton's in the Mid/late 80s?

[@scottlarsh3119]

Great video😀

[@katey9547]

I love Toronto history

[@andygrenn680]

Not a shot of a honest to goodness 2024 Encampment back then…

[@Sonicboom238]

toronto didnt have protests back then?

[@atrafana]

Love this!

[@freedomfreedom9523]

All those free concerts at ontario place ampitheatre of all great bands were the best so many

[@freedomfreedom9523]

I really do miss the old union station I hate the new one it sucks

[@BernieBushell-yv4eo]

Toronto was great back 1980s. Where was your favorite place to get a hamburger?

[@Joseph-n4c5l]

Not a bike in sight. Beautiful.

[@sycpup]

Look how skinny we all were!!

[@Jamie-1985]

Bring HHOF back to CNE! @11:33

[@deathwarrent8465]

Ah the good old days..clean and safe streets, no over congestion, low prices, electric circus, speakers corner

[@schraner71]

Thank you Morgan! This hurt my heart in more ways than one: not only for nostalgia but also the footage credited to the late great Dana Lee: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIPIi4OPqs6Ui9U

[@skyemac8]

The 1980’s were the best decade since the 1920’s.

[@KarmasAbutch]

Yonge street was pure sleaze back then. Head Shops n Hustlers.

[@jumbothompson]

When Ontario Place was a big deal.

[@leifharmsen]

Also in the 1980s "old toronto" was the 1950s.

[@thefinalsolutionall]

does it matter what it WAS ?

[@breadmaker]

yes?

[@skyemac8]

Skydome was a 90’s build.

[@breadmaker]

It was an 80s build. Opened in 1989.

[@mreppen1]

God the music in the 80s really sucked. Too much Cocaine.

[@Alsatiagent-zu1rx]

The Eaton Centre was never, ever, cool. It was an urban effing mall fer crise-sakes.

[@Evillt1]

Same now as it was back then......a dump! I lived at Jane and finch when towers dept store was still around! A dump! Crime was horrible!

[@skyemac8]

Skydome was a 90’s build.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Skydome started construction in 86 and opened in 89