The Chinese in Early 20th Century Toronto: 956 Queen Street West

 

Wu Chong was a tenant at 956 Queen St. West, owned by James Hunter, and operated a laundry mat from that location. According to the Toronto Street Directories, the property was listed under Sells H & Sons, assumed to be Hunter & Sons, in 1889 and “Wer. Chong” became a tenant in 1890. The name “Wer. Chong” may be an interpretation of his name by the person filling out the assessment. According to the Assessment Roll of 1900 and Valerie Mah’s “The Bachelor Society”, there is only one person listed under this address, meaning that Wu Chong was either a bachelor or working and sending money home to his family in China. It can be confirmed that Chong operated from that establishment from 1890-1917. However, beginning in 1917, the establishment is listed in the Toronto Directory as “Chinese Laundry”, which may have still been operated by Chong. The property is located across from what was then known as the Provincial Lunatic Asylum (known today as the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)). The appearance of the shop can be assumed to be similar to the properties shown in the photo above of 990 Queen St West in June of 1919. The location is currently occupied by the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) and will be replaced by condominiums as part of a redevelopment plan.

Works Cited:

Assessment Roll (1900) Ward 5 Division 1; City of Toronto Archives.

Mah, Valerie. The bachelor society: a look at Toronto’s early Chinese community from     1878-1924. MA Thesis. 1978. Print.

Provincial Lunatic Asylum (June 1973). Public Works Photographs. Series 372, Item 69. City of Toronto Archives.

Toronto Directory (1889-1917); City of Toronto Archives.

990 Queen St W (June 17, 1919). Public Works Photographs. Series 372, Item 811. City of Toronto Archives.