A Homage to London's Downtown

A series of historic downtown streetscapes by London artist Cheryl Radford, described by heritage advocate Genet Hodder as "a heritage lover’s dream," will be exhibited at Museum London's Art Rental and Sales Gallery during July and August, 2012.

Exhibit of Downtown London Historic Streetscapes by London artist Cheryl Radford
Exhibition Dates:  July - August, 2012
Location:  Art Rental and Sales Gallery @ Museum London
                  421 Ridout Street North, London, Ontario, N6A 5H4
Hours of Operation:   Tuesday to Sunday 11am to 4pm

Contact:  Jordana Franklin, Gallery Assistant, Art Rental & Sales Gallery
Email:   jfrankli@london.ca Tel: 519-661-0333 ext. 4224

SS50 Richmond St, London

SS50 Richmond Street, London

The final streetscape of the series.

For me the most interesting of all buildings and/or blocks of buildings in downtown London is the stretch on the east side of Richmond Street, between King and York. Streetscape No. 49 starts at King and Streetscape No. 50 ends at York, put together, the whole impressive block. All the detail around the 2^nd and 3^rd floor windows is amazing, somewhat the same, yet all different.

SS49 Richmond St, London

SS49 Richmond Street, London

For me the most interesting of all buildings and/or blocks of buildings in downtown London is the stretch on the east side of Richmond Street, between King and York. Streetscape No. 49 starts at King and Streetscape No. 50 ends at York, put together, the whole impressive block. All the detail around the 2^nd and 3^rd floor windows is amazing, somewhat the same, yet all different.

SS48 York & Clarence

SS48 York and Clarence Street, London

Located at York Street and Clarence Street is Call the Office, a bar at the corner of York Street and Clarence Street, with decades of history. (From www.neighbourgoodguide.ca) “Formally known as The York Hotel, CTO was once the hang out for the likes of Greg Curnoe, The Nilist Spasm Band and Jack Chambers. Now you can expect any given band on any given day of the week to stop in and play a show. Yes, the bathrooms have seen better days and the monitors have 20 years worth of spilt beer in them but that's why it's a gem. Everyone from Radiohead to local heros The Matadors have rocked the stage of Call the Office.“

SS47 York St, London

SS47 York Street, London

174-184 York street is Bud Gowan Formal Wear. They sell high quality men's clothing, although the building (sign) does not reflect that... I drew the sign in whole, which in reality is ripped and torn completely in the middle section. Next door (186 York Street) is Gardner Galleries, with 5 levels and a rare terra cotta exterior. I could not find much information on either of these buildings.

SS46 Dundas & Adelaide

SS45 Dundas St and Adelaide St, London

When I took photo reference of this corner, I was surprised to see the date on the corner said 1867. According to London Public Library reference, this is still a mystery, as there were no buildings on the site at that date. .

Charles Lilley moved to London as a young man, was a telegraph operator before becoming a grocer and also ran the Crown Hotel. In 1871, he built this two-storey block on the corner of Adelaide and Dundas Street. The post office took the name “Lilley’s Corners” when it was opened in 1872, with Charles Lilley as postmaster.

SS45 York St, London

SS45 York Street, London

I worked at Charles Chapman Co. Ltd for almost 6 years. This was my first full time job, silk screen technician and later graphic artist. Chapmans was located on York Street, when I started working for them and later moved to Elias Street in East London. The Chas. Chapman Co Ltd was established in 1855 in London by Charles Brightmer Chapman, a former school teacher and a landscape artist of some renown. (size 3" x 6")

SS44 Richmond St, London

SS44 Richmond Street, London

Another Richmond Street streetscape, this is close to Victoria Park area. Coffee Culture, P’lovers (since closed), Romans Leather, and Executive Travel. I have to admit, this is one of my least favourite streetscapes that I have done, I prefer black and white. (size 4" x 10")

SS43 Dundas St

SS43 Dundas Street, London

Many of my drawings have been downtown locations, but because I now work in Old East Village, I have shifted some focus to the east end.  This streetscape drawing of Dundas Street measures 2.5" x 4". Silk Road Furniture offers quality new and used furniture at incredibly low prices, located right next door to the London Clay Art Centre, where I am working. Other building is The Diner, now closed, but I have heard rumours about it reopening with new owners. (size 2.5" x 4")

SS42 Talbot St, London

SS42 Talbot Street, London

I worked at MC Group for almost 15 years and part of the time was spent at 350 Talbot Street. Built in 1890, this building is associated with Massey-Harris Co. Ltd, a Canadian manufacturer of agricultural implements.
This was a showroom and repair shop for the company until 1950. This is a good representation of Romanesque Revival commercial architecture, a  style that shows strength and solidity with the rusticated stone-block base and stone coursing on the building facade. Large arched window openings and a vehicular archway on the first storey are also typical of Romanesque design.  (size 3" x 4")

SS41 Courthouse Sq.

SS41 Courthouse Square, Goderich

I spent 2 summers living in Goderich, Canada's Prettiest Town. My plan was to shot some reference photography of the beautiful and historic Courthouse Square and Park, while there for a family wedding in September. But on Sunday, August 21 major damage was done by the destructive tornado, so that did not happen. Finally on March 23 of this year, I was able to get there to take some pictures. I choose this block, mainly because it did not have much damage. There is one store boarded up with a sign reading RE OPENING SOON, just a hint of the destruction. (size 3.5 x 10.5)

SS40 Clinton

SS40 Albert and Victoria Street, Clinton

I was born and raised near Londesboro, and attended high school in Clinton, ON. The corner of Albert and Victoria Street (main corner in Clinton) there is a wealth of late nineteen century architecture. In 1857, Clinton became first incorporated village in Huron County, then in 1876 incorporated as a town, and reached the peak of its development in 1890’s. (SIZE 6" X 9")

SS39 Palace Theatre

SS39 Palace Theatre, London

Old East Village not only has historical architecture, it has a growing arts community, which includes The Palace Theatre and London Clay Art Centre, where I currently work.
From www.palacetheatre.ca:  Palace Theatre has a significant and storied history dating back to the 1900’s. Originally built in 1929 as a silent movie theatre, the Palace Theatre was noted as one of the finest establishments of its kind in the entire world. (size 3" x 4")

SS38 King & Richmond St

SS38 King and Richmond Street, London

The corner of King Street and Richmond Street in London, former Imperial Bank of Canada. (size 3" x 4")

SS37 Talbot & King St

SS37 Talbot and King Street, London

This great old building at the corner of Talbot and King Street was the commercial block for John Burridge, built back in 1881. I worked across the street at MC Group for a number of years, so I walked by it at least twice daily. I always admired the decorative detailing and the contrasting yellow and orange/red brick. The architect was William A. Joanes of London, Ontario. (size 3" x 4")

SS36 Ridout St, London

SS36 Ridout Street, London

This building on Ridout Street, just north of Queens Ave in London, currently houses the Nancy Campbell Collegiate private school, originally built as early as 1835. This building was part of a group of structures known as "Bankers' Row" because of the presence of five branch offices here. In 1970, after years of neglect and deterioration, John Labatt Limited restored this building (and some other building on street) to help preserve the rich heritage of this street. Beautiful yellow bricks with black trim. (SIZE 3" X 4")

SS35 St. Thomas

SS35 Talbot Street, St.Thomas

On the way to deliver some drawings to a Port Stanley gallery, I made stop in lovely St Thomas, known as the "Railway Capital" of Canada. The down town is 3 kilometers of beautifully painted murals, lush small parks and beautiful historic Victorian buildings. St. Thomas was first settled in 1810 and was incorporated as a village in 1852, as a town in 1861 and finally grew to become a city in 1881. (SIZE 3.5 " X 8")

SS34 Dundas St, London

SS34 Dundas Street, London

This is a great stretch of buildings on Dundas Street. I remember the “Ontario Furniture Co” building as the Duthler Textiles store. When the Duthler store closed, the store was reborn as the Honest Lawyer restaurant with Downtown Kathy Brown’s above.

SS33 Dundas St, London

SS33 Dundas Street, London

This is view of Dundas Steet right downtown, north side. I have sketched these buildings a few times from inside the library in the winter months.  Attic Books, a very interesting store. It is one of the largest second hand booksellers in the country. They sell antique books, maps and prints. Other services include appraisals, purchases, consultations and assistance with general care of books and paper collectibles. They recently celebrated 30 years of business. There is beautiful detailing in the brick work and roofline.

SS32 Dundas St, London

SS32 Dundas Street, London

I am now working in Old East Village, I am walking to work a couple of days a week, so I am seeing a different part of the city. Most of my drawings have been downtown, because I usually work in the downtown. This streetscape... Dundas Street just east of Adelaide Street, measures 3.5" x 4.5", still working quite small.

SS31 Then and Now

SS31 Then and Now, Talbot and Dundas, London

I have lived in London for approx 30 years and seen many changes over the years. This is the corner of Talbot and Dundas Street, with memories of listening to blues music at the Firehall, socializing at Mingles and more recently watching hockey at the John Labatt Centre. This drawing goes back further in history with the historical City Hotel “THEN” combined with the new John Labatt Centre “NOW”.

From London Public Library Archives: This building was originally constructed as the Hope Hotel in the 1840s by William Balkwill. It burnt down in January 1865 and was reopened in September 1865 as the City Hotel. It was renamed the Belvedere in 1871 and later the Talbot Inn. The building was demolished in 2001 and its facade was recreated on the John Labatt Centre which opened on the site in 2002.

Reference of City Hotel from London Public Library Image Gallery, James Egan Collection - Public domain: Copyright has expired according to Canadian law. No restrictions on use.

SS30 The Back Alley

SS30 The Back Alley, Richmond Street, London

This is behind the row of buildings on Richmond Street, between Queens Ave and Dundas Street.  A back alley can be as interesting as the façade of the buildings.

SS29 Dundas St, London

SS29 Dundas Street, London

This is Dundas street between Talbot and Richmond Street. Three completely different styles of buildings. Thaifoon, Devine Décor and a for rent space next door. This would have been a good one to do in colour, first painted grey, middle painted yellow and lastly red brick with green roof

SS28 Dundas St, London

SS28 Dundas Street, London

Three – four storey buildings on Dundas street, all with painted brick, all with the paint peeling off. Street level: Wok’n chopsticks and 2 for 1 pizza (– odd combination), London Casbah, and London Rock, a store with punk, rock and metal clothing, have never been there. I find I tend to slant to left on my drawings, this one really slants to the left.

SS27 King St, London

SS27 King Street, London

Victorian-era building in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Salt Lounge, may now be closed. Not sure if this history is fact or not… The building was built in 1890 by W.J. Thompson and ran for nine months as the Thompson House. John Fraser bought the hotel in June 1891 and the name was changed to the Fraser House. In 1951 it was sold after being owned by the Fraser family for 60 years. The name was then changed to the Royal Alex.