Devonshire Motel

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• It's weird to see basically nothing to the left of it besides field and background trees. Today, it's just a busy stretch of road with no hint of anything close to that! Judging from the Duster in the foreground, I'd agree that it's early to mid 70's.

• Colin, what year would you say the Duster is? 1973 or so?

• Looked at a few images and the tail-lights changed a bit from this design in 1973.

  So 1971-72?

• I believe John is correct in his 1971-72 assessment. I remember in the mid 70s Howard Ave was very homely looking street from Memorial Drive past EC Row. Just past the CN tracks on the south west side I can remember big red sheds and a gas station but it all looked horribly ugly. Anyone else remember that or am I just dreaming?

• The Duster is about a 71-73 in my estimation. I'm a car nut but not a real big fan of Dusters so I'm not 100% sure. This was a Plymouth and Dodge had a brother version called a Demon which was almost identical save for the tail lights and other minor things. Lol, sorry- got side tracked! My dad grew up in this area (Remington Park) so I'm sure he passed this place a million times.

  Andrew, I'm curious as to why there are about 4 motels along this short stretch of road (one north of Remark's, this one and the two closer to E.C Row). I'm not sure how old the others are but this one was built before Devonshire mall I think... or was it in response to that perhaps? I just can't think of anything else in the vicinity that would call for a few motels. Was the Kenilworth and Devonshire race tracks still around maybe?

• Colin - Something I've always wondered about too.. The Tracks were gone by the mid to late 1930's, so I've got no idea why this stretch called for so many motels.

• It would seem to me that both the Ivy Rose and the motel next door (I think it's called Town and Country??) are somewhat newer than the Devonshire but being side by side would probably mean they were built there for a reason. Devonshire Mall opened in 1977 correct? Maybe the time periods coincide? Also, when was the Zalev yard behind them opened? Again, seems a bit strange to want to build motels with that filthy yard right behind you.

• The mall was announced in 1969:

  http://internationalmetropolis.com/?p=466

• I was thinking because Howard linked up with Highway 3/401 and it more into the city and closer to downtown. Kind of like Lundy's Lane is to Niagara Falls.

• It's a '70 or '71. 1970 was the first year of production. In 1972, they changed the taillight treatment...wider stop lights with the gap between the back up lamps (inboard on the stoplight housing) narrowed. Also appears to be the newest car in the lot. The Pontiac is older, as is what appears to be a Mustang (the red one), so 1971 is a pretty good guess when it comes to dating the picture.

  On the motel website, I was taken back a bit under "Amenities" where they list as a feature "24 hour running cold and hot water".