'A virtual history of Toronto street signs' summarizes the history of Street Name Signs in Toronto.

It was written by Chris Bateman, a staff writer at blog TO. https://www.blogto.com/city/2015/09/a_visual_history_of_toronto_street_signs/

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According to the article, the Toronto Street Name Signs go through the following stages:

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• A mix of wooden and metal designs in an array of typefaces 

• In 1928, the signs at Queen and Bay were incorporated into elaborate light standards

• Blue and white metal signs fixed to the sides of buildings were the most common wayfinding devices in Toronto.

• The famous acorn ( black-and-white design) signs debuted in the 1950s. Reflective paint was another first for the '50s. The signs were rolled out citywide in 1960.

• Plastic backlit street signs (visible on the far right above) were introduced during Canada's centennial year in 1967. Black text on a yellow background indicated an east-west street; white text on a blue background was used for north-south roads. 

• In 2007, Toronto adopted a street furniture program that aimed to consolidate the city's mishmash of street signage. Part of that was the rollout of new blue and white extruded aluminum local and arterial street signs.

 

Street Signs - City of Toronto 

A new and high-quality Street Name Sign design has been developed. The details can be searched from:

https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-maintenance/pavement-markings-signs/

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Information related to old Street Name Signs:

1. This is what 1000 retired Toronto street signs look

https://www.blogto.com/city/2013/05/this_is_what_1000_retired_toronto_street_signs_look_like/

2. Toronto (finally) allows the sale of old street signs

https://www.blogto.com/city/2013/11/toronto_finally_allows_the_sale_of_old_street_signs/

3. Bids for old Toronto street signs hit thousands of dollars  

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/05/30/bids_for_old_toronto_street_signs_hit_thousands_of_dollars.html

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