Toronto of Old: Collections and recollections illustrative of the early settlement and social life of the capital of Ontario

Memory and Recollection

Scadding explicitly states his purpose is to provide 'recollections' rather than a formal history, elevating personal and collective memory to a central theme. The book is an act of remembering, designed to preserve the fading images and stories of old Toronto before they are lost to time and progress. Scadding uses his own memories, anecdotes from contemporaries, and historical accounts to reconstruct the past, emphasizing the emotional and cultural value of what has been. This theme explores how the past is perceived, documented, and cherished, highlighting memory as a vital component of identity.

Urban Development and Change

The book is fundamentally a chronicle of Toronto's transformation from a small settlement (York) into a significant urban center. Scadding meticulously details the physical growth of the city – the laying out of streets, the construction of buildings, the establishment of infrastructure – alongside the social and cultural changes that accompanied this development. This theme explores the forces that drive urban expansion, the impact of progress on existing communities, and the continuous evolution of a city's landscape and character. It highlights the dynamic interplay between human agency and environmental transformation.