Verdun Then and Now, 2

As a follow-up to last week, here is another picture of Wellington street back in the day, accompanied by my attempt to capture the same view today.
Last week’s Wellington view was facing in the same direction as this, but from further along. Here you can still see the spire of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs in the distance but the photographer is standing back at 1st Avenue.

Notice the awnings in front of all the businesses? Back before air conditioning this was how you kept the sun out and the air cooler indoors. On the other hand, as someone pointed out on the site where I found these old photos, there are more trees on Wellington now than back in the day!

Speaking of then and now, restoration and expansion of the Verdun Auditorium has been completed. The siding in the top picture was removed and the original brick facade restored, with bright modern extensions added at side and back.