M. O. Hammond, Photographer: Toronto - Page Banner

Hammond’s hometown of Toronto provided a wealth of subjects for him to photograph –communities of new immigrants, building and streetscapes in downtown Toronto, new neighbourhoods being constructed on the outskirts of the city and bucolic images of the grounds at the University of Toronto and High Park.

Through the Toronto Camera Club, he was introduced to many photo enthusiasts who were eager to join him on excursions around the city to photograph buildings and people. Some of his frequent companions were his friends and fellow journalists Horace Boultbee and Newton McTavish.

Photograph: Convocation Hall, University of Toronto, [ca. 1915]

Convocation Hall, University
of Toronto, [ca. 1915]
M. O. Hammond
Lantern Slide
Reference Code: F 1075-15
Archives of Ontario, I0016654
Photograph: Toronto Island in foreground, Toronto

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Toronto Island in foreground, Toronto
Skyline in background
M. O. Hammond
Black and white negative
Reference Code: F 1075
Archives of Ontario, I0016655

 Photograph: Jewish butcher shop, Toronto, June 1923

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Jewish butcher shop, Toronto, June 1923
M. O. Hammond
Black and white negative
Reference Code: F 1075
Archives of Ontario, I0001138

Hammond frequently carried his camera with him and went to various parts of the city to take photographs. Some of his favourite sites were the buildings and grounds at the University of Toronto and the High Park area.

Sometimes, he made a point of photographing some of the less than beautiful parts of the city:

“After lunch Lester went with me again to the poor parts of St. John’s ward and took half a dozen of the children and tumble down houses“

July 27, 1905
Photograph: One of the city’s poor

One of the city’s poor
M. O. Hammond
Glass lantern slide
Reference Code: F 1075-15-0-0-111
Archives of Ontario, I0016650

“An odd experience this a.m. At Jim MacDonald’s request, I went to Ontario College of Art at 11 and made a dozen photos of the class and corridor scenes. The plaster casts and other properties made unusual settings and I enjoyed it all. J. W. Beatty took a keen interest in arranging compositions. The bright faces of the students showed in their interest. Their decorum surprised me, for in the summer, they are a noisy, lively crowd in the park.“

February 2, 1931

Photograph: Art students at Ontario College of Art, February 2, 1931

Art students at Ontario College
of Art, February 2, 1931
M. O. Hammond
Black and white negative
Reference Code: F 1075
Archives of Ontario, I0016679

 Photographie : Ontario College of Art, February 2, 1931

Click to see a larger image (95K)
Ontario College of Art, February 2, 1931
M. O. Hammond
Black and white negative
Reference Code: F 1075
Archives of Ontario, I0016547
Photograph: Young people at the tower, Queen's Park, Toronto, July 19, 1925

Young people at the tower, Queen's Park,
Toronto, July 19, 1925
M. O. Hammond
Black and white negative
Reference Code: F 1075
Archives of Ontario, I0001412

 Photograph: Art Gallery, Toronto, December 1925

Art Gallery, Toronto, December 1925
M. O. Hammond
Black and white negative
Reference Code: F 1075
Archives of Ontario, I0001481
Photograph: Fish merchant and children, Toronto, July 1929

Fish merchant and children, Toronto,
July 1929
M. O. Hammond
Black and white negative
Reference Code: F 1075
Archives of Ontario, I0001717

 Photograph: Convocation Hall, University of Toronto, [ca. 1910-1930] (photo 2)

Convocation Hall,
University of Toronto, [ca. 1910-1930]
M. O. Hammond
Black and white negative
Reference Code: F 1075
Archives of Ontario, I0017252

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