Etobicoke Motel Strip Index Page

This website contains colour pictures of the Etobicoke Motel Strip taken by Roger D. Moore in 1989. The photos are in seven groups which can be accessed via the map below

Some of the motels were owned and operated by long established families such as John Wren at Seahorse, Ron Butwell at the Shore Breeze and Sally Young at the Beach and Silver Moon. Other motels were owned by land speculators and developers who were quite tolerant of drug dealing and prostitution.
Many reports and committees from the Borough of Etobicoke and its successors recommended cleanup of the motel strip. Change was delayed by the slow development of a master plan for the area. No major changes in property use were permitted until the future shape of the area was determined.
In 1997 the City of Etobicoke allowed construction of he first condominium (Newport Beach on the site of the Seahorse) to begin. The Beach Motel was the last to be demolished (2012).

CREDITS
Denise Harris of the Etobicoke Historical Society and the librarians at Toronto Reference Library have helped with research for this website.
For more information on the history

Sandy Beach Motel was one of three which had some connection to the lake. There was a sand beach behind the motel which was unusual. The shore in other areas was usually was rock or concrete fill. In nice weather, the proprietor placed inexpensive patio furniture on the beach for the motel guests.

INDEX
This index includes at least one picture per motel and many of the pictures taken from the shore.
Clicking on PAGE icon show the picture as part of a web page with commentary.
Clicking on the IMAGE will give just the picture with a browser option to enlarge the picture. (With some browsers right click on an image and select "Open Image in a New Tab" will give the same enlargement capability.

To the extent possible under law, Roger D. Moore has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to Colour photographs of the Etobicoke Motel Strip.