37 Hanna Avenue (now known as 171 East Liberty Street)

The Model Railroad Club of Toronto has been fortunate in having its home in the same premises since January 1946, occupying two former Bren gun test ranges in a building purpose-built for gun production during World War II. At the conclusion of the war, the Canadian Government leased the building to commercial tenants and in 1950 sold the property to a company formed by a majority of those tenants. The Model Railroad Club of Toronto was the first tenant to occupy the building in 1946, became a shareholder/tenant in 1950, and now is the last surviving tenant of that era, a span of over 63 years.

The above photo is of a Chinese Army official test firing a gun on February 27, 1942 in the north room of the two 120’ x 20’ former firing ranges the Club now occupies. While the wall he is firing through was removed when the Club moved into the space, the concrete base for the gun mount, and two others, remain (under the layout) to this day.

Visit the Liberty Market Building  web site