A few weeks ago I read a blog post about Agincourt history in Bob Georgiou’s Scenes from a City. It reminded me that I had once tried to walk that area but I only got discouraged because of weather (grey, damp) and nostalgia. Sheppard Avenue just east of Kennedy now has this large concrete underpass (Metrolinx/GO trains) which was a shocking change from my childhood memories. My parents were living here with their parents when then met and my paternal grandparents remained in the neighbourhood until they passed. One of my great-grandfathers lived on Agincourt Drive in a house that backed onto the railway tracks.
This time round, I waited for a sunny day before I tried walking here again. For the most part, I walked Sheppard Avenue East between Kennedy and Brimley and the photos below are what I saw – what you see there these days. If you are more interested in the history of the area, then you need to be reading Bob’s blog as mentioned above.
Let’s walk!
below: The area’s Asian character is very obvious.
below: Nutriever?
below: West Highland Creek, north of Sheppard
below: Are you in the market for a used truck?
below: If not a truck, how about a car? I passed at least three used car lots.
below: The old Agincourt GO station has been demolished and a new one is being built.
below: Bell Canada (It’s a white building)
below: In a front yard on a nearby street….. I have many questions.
below: Looking east just before Midland Avenue
below: Part of the reason that Sheppard and Midland looks so empty is this vacant site on the southwest corner. There was once a Lumber King Home Centre here, then it was a flea market and used car lot, but now it’s an empty building on an otherwise vacant 4.7 acres. A plan for 80 townhouses and a park was filed back in 2015 and seems to have been winding its way through the development process ever since.
below: A quick rest at the intersection where there are actually some people. I miss interacting with the people that I see as I walk around… and I’m sure that you’ve noticed the lack of people in these blog posts.
Also, re the TTC – this is Sheppard Avenue, home of the Sheppard subway, or is it LRT now? As I was researching development at 4181 Sheppard, I discovered that Metrolinx has been applying for easements along Sheppard in preparation for anything that might be built on that street.
below: There is always something to remind us of life’s situation these days, such as this ad that was on a bus shelter. I liked the hashtag at the end, #PracticeSafe6ix
below: Knox United Church was built as a Free Presbyterian church in the 1840’s but became Knox United in 1925. This was when the Presbyterians merged with the Methodists to form the United Church of Canada. (Although not all Presbyterian churches went along with the merger).
below: Agincourt Baptist Church
below: There is a second overpass in the area. The CPR tracks pass over Sheppard between Midland and Brimley, just west of Canadian Pacific’s Toronto Yard.
below: On this overpass is a mural by elicser
below: Running parallel to the south side of the CPR line and Sheppard Avenue is a large industrial complex belonging to the International Group of Companies.
below: Toronto has 85 BIAs (Business Improvement Areas) including Sheppard East Village which includes Sheppard between Midland and Markham Road.
below: At Glen Watford and Sheppard there is a large new Seniors residence planned.
below: In the meantime, there are empty stores.
below: North Scarborough Memorial being renovated but the old gate remains.
below: Agincourt Elementary School. Built in 1915 as a Continuation School, (grades 9 and 10) but used as an elementary school since Agincourt Collegiate was built in 1930.
below: (Snow)man down! You’d be tired too if you had to stand outside all winter!
below: Mystery ‘All Way Stop’ in the Walmart parking lot.
as I walk Toronto 
Ah, the scenes of my childhood too! You’ve captured the area well! I didn’t know/remember there was a Lumber King at Sheppard and Midland. It’s been that empty flea market for a LONG time! Thanks for linking!
I lived in a house that was knocked down to build the Lumber King store. 4201 Sheppard East. Lived there from 1957 to 1964. Sheppard was a two lane tar&gravel road with ditches on both sides. The CN train tracks at Sheppard and the CP tracks at Midland and at Sheppard were level crossings. I walked the path of the blogger many times since I had a Globe&Mail paper route that covered the streets around Kennedy and Sheppard all the way over to Glen Watford.
It’s wild to think of Sheppard as a two lane street. I wonder when it was widened. I’d like to do a history of the street and likely will have to answer that. Anyways thanks for sharing!
I think that I read somewhere that the corner of McCowan & Sheppard is now cleared for TTC staging in prep for the Sheppard subway construction.
Thank you for your comment! I enjoy hearing from people who have a connection to the areas that I blog about. My paternal grandparents were on Lamont Ave and I think that they moved there in the early 1950s. I am fairly certain that there was not much between their backyard and McCowan Ave. for a long time.
As empty as it looks, I actually like that area for some reason. The Agincourt library brought me up there once and I enjoyed that. I also have been up there a few times for the amazing noodles at One2Snacks, a Malaysian takeaway across from that factory. A couple of times I’ve picked up food there and then carried it next door to the park for a picnic. (With all of the amazing tiny takeout restaurants in Scarborough this is a great way to enjoy a trip there – and it’s even pandemic-friendly!)
I hadn’t seen the Elicsr mural there. I really love their work.