Hockey Hall of Fame
Toronto
The Hockey Hall of Fame stands in a bank building from the 1800s, at Yonge Street and Front Street. From outside it is a book of carved stone, waiting to be read.
A building for money
The building went up from 1885 for the Bank of Montreal. Its style is rich in decoration, inspired by ancient art. It was the bank's head office until 1949.
Carved stone
Tall pilasters rise up the two main fronts. At the top of the pilasters there are carved masks and crests. Under each mask, small reliefs tell of the arts and trades. On the Yonge Street side, a telegraph pole recalls communications and the railways.
The winter sport
The hockey museum is inside, but for our game, looking at the outside is enough. In this country hockey is much more than a sport. People play it in winter in parks, at schools and in every town.
Seen from outside
From the sidewalk, look at the big arched windows, huge for those days. Look for the porch on Front Street and the stone carvings around the openings. The building has been carefully restored and is among the most beautiful in the old town.
