Then. Hotel Mossop. 56 Yonge street, circa 1909. A wwwebster picture, with an interesting advertisement at the bottom of the picture extolling the virtue of fireproofness. How practically-minded innkeepers were back in those days. Not celebrity chef dining, nor turned down sheets, but the assurance that you will simply sleep safely. The Hotel Mossop was built in 1906, only a couple of years after the Fire of 1904, hence the emphasis on safety. Occasionally, "fire proof" may still be seen in the remnants of old painted "ghost signs" on the sides of what were once hotels in other North American cities.

Now. June 2011. Hotel Victoria. A real dowager, and also a real beauty. Hard to believe the lot is only 40 feet wide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_V..._%28Toronto%29


.