Exclusivity in the street railway era: Neighbourhood entry gateways in streetcar suburbs

In early twentieth-century streetcar neighbourhoods, entryway markers or gateways were used as distinct neighbourhood design features. These markers typically took the form of a set of stone or brick towers, placed at the entrance to a residential street from an arterial roadway. We explore the nature, form and placement of these markers, and the role they play in neighbourhood identity. Using literature, field data and spatial analysis, we find that, in concert with other neighbourhood components, these structures serve to isolate neighbourhoods from undesirable urban influences, insulate and ensure privacy, and maintain the integrity of the neighbourhood's intended design.