City of Toronto: City of Toronto Archives, This month in Toronto's history

Streetcar on Yonge Street outside of Loew's Theatre, December 20, 1935

Trinity College: Queen Street West, north-side
1856
Photographer: Armstrong, Beere and Hime
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1498, Item 11

On January 15, 1852, Trinity College, first opened its doors to a new cohort of students.

The college traces its roots back to 1827 when the Anglican Bishop of Toronto , John Strachan received a Royal Charter from George IV to establish King's College. With no funds available, King's College did not start operating until 1843.

King's was organized according to the rules of the Anglican church, but in 1848 the legislature of Upper Canada voted to secularize the publically-funded college. Strachan immediately withdrew his and the church's support, and went about creating the privately-funded Trinity College, retaining King's Anglican tradition.

In 1904 Trinity federated with University of Toronto, and in 1925 moved to its present location on Hoskin Avenue, on the main University of Toronto campus.

Today, Trinity College is one of the most prominent institutions within the University of Toronto, and although it maintains many of its Anglican and Oxbridge style traditions, it hosts students from over 60 countries.

The image above was taken in 1856 and shows the original Trinity College building designed by Kivas Tully. Now demolished, it stood in what is now Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Twelve horse team, pulling snow sweeper down Queen Street

Looking east from 69 Lowther Avenue
March 28, 1941
City of Toronto Archives
Series 372, Subseries 58, Item 1596

Land developer Simeon Janes first used the name 'The Toronto Annex' to describe his planned subdivisions between Bedford and Spadina roads, north of Bloor Street to Dupont Street.

In 1886, he petitioned Council to have his new subdivisions annexed by the City. The precise area absorbed the following year included Janes' subdivisions, as well as land east of Spadina Road to Kendal Avenue.

The Annex attracted many wealthy Torontonians, such as Timothy Eaton, who constructed a mansion at the corner of Spadina Road and Lowther Street, and George Gooderham of Gooderham & Worts, whose mansion stood at the northeast corner of St. George and Bloor streets.

Today The Annex is home to a mixed group of residents, from students and fraternity houses to some of Canada's most well-known citizens, including Margaret Atwood, former Governor-General, Adrienne Clarkson, and supermarket mogul, Galen Weston.

To see a small selection of archival images of The Annex, check out our Flickr set.

Before 1917, Toronto Harbour often froze over. Torontonians used this wide stretch of ice for skating parties, hockey games, curling matches as well as the popular winter sport, ice yachting.

Archival photographs show Toronto Bay filled with the canvas sails of iceboats, the slender wooden vessels gliding over the ice on steel runners. Iceboat races and regattas were also common, often drawing huge crowds. They also had their practical uses, moving people and goods to the islands as there was no ferry service in the winter.

The relocation of the Western Gap in 1917 altered the currents in the bay resulting in less ice, so that by the 1920s it was no longer safe for winter sports.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower in car, 1946
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 2911

General Dwight 'Ike' Eisenhower arrived in Toronto on January 12th, 1946 after visiting Ottawa the day before. The editorial sections in the local newspapers gushed over his achievements, as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during WWII and expressed how honoured the city was by his visit. Eisenhower would eventually become President of the United States in 1953 through to 1961.

The Star estimated more than 70,000 people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the general. Eisenhower first met with Mayor Saunders in his office at City Hall, where the mayor read from an illuminated address and gave Eisenhower the freedom of the city. He laid a wreath at the cenotaph in front of City Hall and inspected the guard of honour from the Kent and Niagara Regiments.

Eisenhower was then driven to Hart House at the University of Toronto for a luncheon and received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Law.

A reception followed at Queen's Park, hosted by Lieutenant–Governor Albert Matthews. The Globe and Mail reported that Mayor Saunders had hoped the reception would be the greatest in history, but at the General's request it had been curtailed. "It is unfortunate that we cannot give General Eisenhower the reception he so richly deserves, but we must abide by his wishes."

On January 2, about 300 Torontonians joined Mayor Rob Ford at City Hall for the Mayor's New Year's Day Levee.

In Canada, levees have evolved from early colonial roots into public events, designed to give citizens an opportunity to meet representatives of the government and crown. The word levee, from the French, to rise (as in from bed), finds its origin in the European court custom of morning assemblies held by the ruling classes.

In Canada, the first recorded levee took place in 1646, hosted by the Governor of New France. Both the Lieutenant Governor and Governor General's Levees remained strictly all-male affairs until after the Second World War.

The first Mayor's Levee in Toronto was held on January 1st 1968, under Mayor William Dennison. Interestingly the levee was held not at City Hall but at St. Lawrence Hall, which may have been because the building had been newly renovated the year before.

The Globe and Mail reported 1,500 attendants at Mayor Dennison's 1971 Levee. During the Metro years it was also customary for Metro Councils to host their own levees.

Southbound subway train entering Eglinton West station, 1978
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1253, File 534, Item 1

27th January 2008 saw the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Spadina subway line.

The new line, officially opened by Ontario Premier Bill Davis, extended over six miles from St. George station on the Bloor-Danforth line to Wilson station, just north of Highway 401 and the Yorkdale Shopping Centre. It took almost five years to construct and cost over $200 million.

The idea of the Spadina line grew out of the ill-fated and controversial Spadina expressway project. This would have seen a major arterial road constructed linking the Gardiner and Highway 401, splitting many downtown neighbourhoods and threatening a number of historic buildings. Planners had intended the subway would run down the central median of this new road.

After much debate, the Spadina Expressway was cancelled by Premier Davis, but the subway line project continued. After a slow start, the line was extended to Downsview, and now has over 120,000 people using the interchange at St. George.

Swimmer Marilyn Bell with rescued dog, 1957
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1409, Item 6

On February 24th 1887, a group of Torontonians made their way to Shaftesbury Hall, at the corner of Queen and James Street, to meet on the creation of the Toronto Humane Society.

At the meeting, Mayor William Howland gave a short address as did the young Toronto journalist, J.J. Kelso. Concerned about the harsh treatment of work animals in the city, Kelso brought together people and funds to create Toronto's Humane Society. The young organization made the erection of drinking fountains for Toronto's work horses one of its first objectives.

The society, incorporated later in 1887, also aimed to protect the city's vulnerable children. Minutes from a meeting in 1888 show the society's concern for the regulation of newsboys who sold newspapers in Toronto's streets. The Toronto Children's Aid Society grew from these beginnings, established by Kelso in 1891.

The Toronto Humane Society has evolved in the past 120 years and remains committed to the humane treatment of animals. This 1957 photograph shows Canadian swimmer Marilyn Bell selling tags to raise funds for the society.

University College after the fire, 1890
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1568, Item 338

On the night of February 14, 1890, a college servant carrying a tray of lamps up a flight of stairs, stumbled and fell. The kerosene spilled and was immediately ablaze. In the ensuing fire the entire east wing of the University College building was destroyed, including the museum and the library containing over thirty thousand volumes. Only the western section of the building remained.

The original building was completed in 1859, and was heavily influenced by the style of architecture at the University of Oxford in England. It was designed by one of the most important Toronto architectural firms of the nineteenth century, Cumberland and Storm.

After the fire, the commission to rebuild the university was awarded to David Dick, much to the consternation of William Storm, who pleaded with the university to be allowed to restore his masterpiece himself.

Don River looking southeast across Queen Street
February 1899
City of Toronto Archives
Series 376, File 2, Item 59

February 1899 was a very cold month in Toronto. The Don River froze up and on February 23, a large ice jam formed between the King and Gerrard Street bridges.

The water began to rise and quickly flooded the Canadian Pacific Railway line, forcing trains to re-route west through the Toronto Junction. Along the river, rising waters flooded the Don Brewery horse stables and set oil barrels afloat at the McColl Brothers works.

Later that same year, council awarded contracts to the Hamilton Bridge Company to replace two wooden composite bridges in the city with steel and iron ones; the Queen Street Bridge spanning the Don, and the Humber River Bridge at Lake Shore Road.

Sir Frederick Banting on his wedding day

Banting wedding, bride and groom
June 4, 1924
Photographer: John H. Boyd
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1266, Item 2795

On February 20, 1941, Sir Frederick Banting, Nobel Laureate and co-discoverer of insulin, died, aged 49, in a plane crash over Newfoundland.

Banting was born on November 14, 1891, the youngest of five children, in Alliston, Ontario, 60 km north of Toronto. After failing his first year at the University of Toronto, he eventually graduated from medical school in 1916.

He served as a medical officer with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in the First World War. Wounded at the Battle of Cambrai in 1918, he was later awarded the Military Cross for heroism under fire.

Banting is best known for his discovery of insulin in 1921. He with his colleagues, J. J. R. Macleod, Professor of Physiology at the University of Toronto, research assistant, Dr. Charles Best, and biochemist James Collip, saved the life of a 14-year old boy dying of diabetes.

In 1923, he and Macleod were awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology. Banting and MacLeod opted to share their prize money with the unrecognised Best and Collip. Banting was later knighted by King George V in 1934.

He is pictured above on his wedding day in 1924, to his first wife, Marion Robertson.

Barbara Ann Scott greets crowds in Toronto
March 13, 1948
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1266, Item 123300

At the 1948 Olympic Winter Games, held in St. Moritz, Switzerland in early February, Barbara Ann Scott created history by becoming the first Canadian woman to win the Olympic gold medal in figure skating.

All events at these games were outside and thus reliant on favourable weather conditions. For the first portion of her routine, the ice surface was "just like a swimming pool" .

During freestyle portion of Scott's program, she was skating on ice that had hosted two hockey games the night before. The ice resurfacer had not yet been invented, so the surface was cut up, uneven and full of holes. Scott adapted her routine to the conditions to emerge as the winner.

The above image of the Ottawa native, with her mother and her trainer, Sheldon Galbraith, was taken in Toronto after her return from Switzerland. She was welcomed by Mayor Hiram McCallum and a crowd of over 50,000 Torontonians. The photograph appeared in The Globe and Mail on Monday 15 March, 1948.

Donald Moore counselling new arrival to Canada.
Moore, a civil rights activist, was a member of the congregation of the
Shaw Street British Methodist Church where Black History Month
was first celebrated in Toronto.
Undated
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 431, Item 10

In February 1979, Toronto became the first municipality in Canada to proclaim Black History Month.

Established in the United States in February 1926 as "Negro History Week", the first celebration of Black History Month in Toronto was organized by Stanley Grizzle and other members of the Shaw Street British Methodist Episcopal Church, a major centre of Toronto's black community in the 1950s.

In particular, groups such as the Canadian Negro Women's Association, observed and kept alive the event for the next 25 years until the Ontario Black History Society petitioned City Council to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto.

The Archives has created a web exhibit on Donald Moore, one of those leading members of the Shaw Street British Methodist Episcopal Church. Moore was a community leader and civil rights activist who fought to change Canada's exclusionary immigration laws. His work was later recognized with an Order of Canada.

Plan of the City of Toronto and Liberties, 1834
J.G. Chewett
City of Toronto Archives
MT 401

On March 6, 1834 "An act to extend the limits of the town of York, to erect the said town into a city and to incorporate it under the name of the City of Toronto" was given Royal Assent by William IV, thereby establishing the City of Toronto.

The Act of Incorporation extended boundaries of of York to Bathurst Street in the west, Parliament Street in the east, a line 400 yards north of Queen Street in the north and the lake in the south. At the time of incorporation Toronto had a population of just over 9,000. Today the city is home to over 2.5 million people.

As part of the City's celebration of the 175th anniversary, a web exhibit was developed exploring what the capital of Upper Canada was like in 1834.

Royal Ontario Museum
1922
Photographer: Arthur Goss
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1231, Item 134

On March 19, 1914, the new Royal Ontario Museum was officially opened by the Governor General, the Duke of Connaught.

Located at the south-west corner of Bloor Street and Queen's Park, the Museum has expanded several times over the last century.

The original building, designed by Toronto architects Darling and Pearson, forms today's west wing. It was followed in 1933 by Chapman and Oxley's famous East Wing, fronting onto Queen's Park.

The above image, taken in 1922, shows the western facade of the original building, fronting onto Philosopher's Walk.

Sir Henry Pellatt lying in state, March 1908

Sir Henry Pellatt lying in state at the University Avenue Armouries
March 1939
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 4001

On March 8, 1939, Major-General Sir Henry Pellatt, financier, soldier and builder of Casa Loma died, aged 80.

Pellat was born in Kingston, Ontario on January 6, 1859, and at the age of 17, joined the staff of his father's stockbroking business, later becoming a partner in the firm.

He amassed a large fortune through investments and business ventures, including the Toronto Electric Light Company, the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the North West Land Company. By 1901 Sir Henry was the chairman of 21 companies with interests in mining, insurance, land and electricity.

Throughout his life, Sir Henry took a keen interest in the military. He joined the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada as a rifleman, rising through the ranks to become Lieutenant Colonel and the Rifles' commanding officer in 1901. In 1910, at his own expense he took the regiment, and its horses, to England to take part in the annual manoeuvres of the British army at Aldershot.

From 1911 to 1914, Pellatt oversaw the construction of Casa Loma, his own private castle designed by Toronto architect E.J. Lennox. At a cost of $3.5 million, it was the most expensive private house in Canada at the time.

The above image shows Sir Henry lying in state at the University Avenue Armouries. Thousands of Torontonians lined the streets to witness the funeral procession. The Major-General was buried with full military honours.

Crowd at Davisville Station during Official opening of the Yonge subway line, 1954
City of Toronto Archives
Series 381, File 298, Item 11847-19

On March 30, 1954, Ontario Premier Leslie Frost and Toronto Mayor Allan Lamport switched the signals at Davisville station to symbolically open Toronto subway.

Six hundred invited guests then boarded the first train to head north the one stop to the terminus at Eglinton. After a two minute wait, the train then headed to the southern terminus at Union station, taking just over twelve minutes to cover the four and a half miles. Later in the afternoon the line was open to the public, paying a ten cents fare for the privilege.

Construction of Canada's first subway line took over four and half years and cost $67 million. The tunnels were built using the 'cut and cover' technique, whereby a deep trench was dug, the tunnel constructed, and then re-covered.

Today, over three-quarters of a million people use the subway and Scarborough Rapid Transit every day, which has extended from four and half to over forty miles of track.

Hockey on frozen lagoon, Toronto Islands
ca. 1965
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1825, Item 21

To most of us, Toronto Island is a summer place. We don't think of crunching though the ice on the ferry Ongiara on a wintery March day. But it's a daily trip for the residents who call the Island their home. Today, about 600 Torontonians live year-round on Algonquin and Ward's Islands.

Though people summered on the islands as early as the 1830's, the year-round community really grew during the 1940's and 50's. Faced with acute housing shortages precipitated by the Second World War, many Islanders winterized their cottages and began living there full time. Winter life on the islands included hockey matches, skating, and ice-boating regattas on frozen lagoons.

In 2011 the City of Toronto Archives was pleased to receive the records of the Toronto Island Archives. This collection covers the Island's history as a strategic, commercial, and recreational hub, the Islanders' very public battle with the Metro Government in the 1970s and 80s over the future of their community, and the development of the residential community up to 2008.

Removal of Campbell House to its new location

Campbell House nearing its new site at Queen and University
March 31, 1972
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 124, File 2

On March 31 (Good Friday), 1972, Campbell House began a mile-long journey from its original home at Adelaide and Frederick Streets, to its new location adjacent to the Canada Life Building on Queen Street, just west of University Avenue. .

It took over six hours to tow the 272-tonne building to its new home. The journey required the removal of 82 street lamps and three-quarters of a mile of streetcar cable, in addition to the reinforcement of 65 manholes.

The house was built originally for Sir William Campbell, who was the Chief Justice of Upper Canada from 1825 to 1829. Campbell House remained a private residence until the twentieth century, when it was converted to commercial purposes, along with many other properties in its neighbourhood. Prior to its move, the building was used as a warehouse for the Coutts-Hallmark card company.

Coutts-Hallmark wanted to demolish the building to modernize their facilities. Fortunately, another option presented itself in 1969, when the deteriorating house was offered to the Advocates' Society for $1. The Society spent the next three years raising the funds required to save the house.

After two years of restoration work, Campbell House was officially re-opened in June 1974 by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Today Campbell House serves as a clubhouse for the Toronto Advocates' Society and also is a museum open to the public.

War of 1812 Memorial, Victoria Memorial Park
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 188

On April 27, 1813 1,700 American soldiers and sailors landed on the shores of Lake Ontario about four miles west of Toronto, then the town of York. Their objective was to capture the town, its dockyards and the warship, HMS Sir Isaac Brock.

Defending the town were about 400 British regulars, 300 local militia and 50 native warriors. After a brief skirmish on the shore, the Americans, under the leadership of Zebulon Pike, marched to Fort York.

Seeing that his forces were greatly outnumbered, British General, Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe considered retreat and a tactical withdrawal to Kingston the best option. Sheaffe also ordered the destruction of the fort's magazine, to avoid letting the gunpowder fall into enemy hands.

Just as the first American troops were entering the fort, the magazine exploded, killing 38 soldiers, including the American general, Pike. The Americans captured the town and occupied it for six days, setting fire to the Parliament buildings, looting houses and stealing many of the books in the local library. They eventually left York on May 8.

The above image shows the memorial to those who fell during the battle. The monument, designed by Toronto architect Frank Darling, was constructed in 1902 on the site of the old military burial ground at Victoria Square, Toronto's oldest European cemetery.

For more information on the history of the Old Military Burial ground, see Fort York's online exhibit.

Toronto Fire ruins, looking north from foot of Bay Street
April 1904
Photographer: William James
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 2

At 8:00 pm, on April 19, 1904, a fire broke out at 58 Wellington Street West, the building of E. & S. Currie Neckwear Limited. An hour later every fireman in the city was battling the blaze.

The fire quickly spread to the north, south and west, and was not brought under control until the late afternoon of April 20, after assistance was provided from the fire brigades of East Toronto, Toronto Junction, Hamilton and even Buffalo.

The inferno destroyed over 100 buildings in a 20 acrea area. Property loss was estimated at over $10 million. There were no deaths.

For more on the worst fire in Toronto's history, please see the Archives web exhibit, The Great Fire of 1904.

The photograph of chic New Yorkers parading their Easter finery appeared in the Toronto World newspaper on Sunday April 26, 1914 under the heading, Are women of Toronto behind New Yorkers in style? The accompanying caption reads: "The fashion show on Fifth Avenue, Easter Sunday - in the foreground a mandarin jacket of ruffled taffeta, straight-brimmed hat, trimmed with wing rows - a brocaded crepe coat is shown in centre."

Easter weekend in Toronto can be cold, which may account for why the Easter parades in our city were perhaps a bit more humble than New York's 5th Avenue event. The photograph from 1924 shows Toronto flappers in their Easter finery parading along the Sunnyside boardwalk. For more historic photos of Toronto getting all dressed up take a look at our Flickr Toronto in Costume set.

The Silver Rail bar, Yonge Street, ca.1950

The Silver Rail Tavern, north west corner Yonge and Shuter streets
ca. 1950
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 738

The Silver Rail, the first bar in Toronto to hold a licence from the Liquor License Board of Ontario (LLBO), opened on April 3, 1947.

The Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario (LLBO) was established in 1947 by the Liquor Licence Act (Ontario). The responsibility of this regulatory agency was to issue liquor permits and to regulate the sale, service and consumption of beverage alcohol in Ontario. The LLBO is separate from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, which is simply a retailer of beverage alcohol.

Located within the historic Ryrie Building on Yonge Street, the Silver Rail became one of the best known spots in Toronto's night life. Patrons could enjoy a cocktail in the bar on the ground floor, before moving into the basement restaurant for their meal.

The Silver Rail remained virtually unchanged for 50 years until it closed in 1997. To the delight of many its patrons, the owners auctioned off the fixtures and fittings of the Silver Rail, allowing the bar's former regular customers the chance to own a piece of Toronto's entertainment history.

Frederick G. Gardiner, Metro Chairman, 1953-1961

Frederick G. Gardiner, Metro Chairman
ca. 1953
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 3050

On April 15, 1953, the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto Act established a regional government comprising of thirteen individual municipalities in the Toronto area.

Metro, as it became to be known, was a new level of government with responsibilities for inter-municipal services such as water supply, public transport, fire and police.

Pictured above is Metro's first chairman from 1953 to 1961, Fred Gardiner. A successful lawyer and businessman, he was Reeve of Forest Hill before assuming the chairmanship of Metro.

Considered by his contemporaries to be one of the most important figures in Toronto municipal government, 'Big Daddy' passed away in 1983.

Construction of Toronto's international icon, the CN Tower, commenced in February 1973. After 40 months of construction, the tower was finally topped off with the antenna. It was flown up in 36 sections by the Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter, taking 3½ weeks to complete. On April 2nd the tower officially became the tallest free-standing building in the world at 553.33 metres (1,815 feet, 5 inches).

The idea of building a tower originated in the 1960s, when the Canadian National Railway (CN) wanted to build a TV and radio communications platform. The CN Tower is now Toronto's most popular tourist site, and although no longer the tallest free-standing structure in the world, it still attracts over 2 million visitors each year.

Queen Victoria Monument, Queen's Park
ca. 1910
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1568, Item 203

First declared a holiday in 1845, the date was chosen as it was Queen Victoria's birthday. After her death, the birthday of her son, Edward VII, who was born in November, was also celebrated on May 24.

During the reigns of George V and Edward VIII, possibly as these kings were born during the summer, Canada celebrated their birthdays on the actual dates, June 3 and 23 respectively, although May 24 continued to be a public holiday.

Under the reign of George VI, who was born in December, Canada followed the United Kingdom and celebrated the monarch's birthday in June. This practise continued until 1953, when the celebration of the sovereign's birthday reverted back to May 24.

This year's Victoria Day is of particular importance as it is being celebrated during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year. As a special commemoration to the 60 year reign of our monarch, the City of Toronto Archives has produced a web exhibit, Queen City: Her Majesty in Toronto highlighting some of her previous visits to our city.

Postcard view of Hospital for Sick Children, c.1910
City of Toronto Archives
Series 330, Item 419

On May 6, 1892, the Hospital for Sick Children officially opened the doors of its new building.

Located at the corner of College and Elizabeth streets, this 320-bed facility was one of the first hospitals in North America to be specifically designed for the care of children, and included modern amenities such as electric lighting, telephones and an elevator.

The five-storey Romanesque building was a big improvement on the hospital's first home, which was a small downtown house, equipped with only six cots. This house had been rented in 1875 by hospital founder Elizabeth McMaster and a group of Toronto women.

The striking red brick structure, that was the Hospital for Sick Children until 1951, still stands at 67 College Street in Toronto, and today is home to Canada Blood Services.

George VI and Queen Elizabeth visit Toronto, May 22, 1939.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrive at Woodbine Racetrack
May 22, 1939
Photographer: William James
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 1019a

The above image was taken on the afternoon of May 22, 1939 when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited the Woodbine Racecourse to watch the eightieth running of the Queen's Plate.

Archworth ran out winner of the then 1 mile 1 furlong race, earning the 50 guinea Royal prize for his owner, Toronto Globe and Mail publisher, George McCullagh.

Inaugurated in 1860, the Queen's Plate is the longest continuously run stakes race in North America. George VI was the first reigning monarch to attend the event while his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, was a spectator at the 100th and the 151st running of the race in 1959 and 2010 respectively.

Baseball action at Maple Leaf Stadium stadium, c.1960
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 850

The above image shows action from a baseball game at Maple Leaf Stadium, located at the foot of Bathurst Street at Lake Shore Boulevard. Demolished in 1968, the stadium was home of the Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball Club for 42 years.

On May 7, 1950 almost 18,000 fans braved the wintry conditions to watch the Maple Leafs make history by playing in Toronto's first ever professional sporting event to take place on a Sunday.

Prior to 1950, as part of the provisions of the Lord's Day Act, sporting activity on Sundays was outlawed, and even playing fields were supposed to be padlocked. In a municipal pleniscite in 1950 Torontonians voted to allow the playing of sport on Sundays, however shops were to remain firmly shut until the 1980s when the Supreme Court of Canada ruled the act unconstitutional.

The high turn out on that day didn't help the Leafs though as they lost both games of the the double header to the New Jersey Giants. They were defeated in the first game 9–5 and in the second 4–1, in a match up reduced to five innings to avoid breaking the 6pm Sunday curfew!

1966-67 Stanley Cup winning Toronto Maple Leafs
1967
City of Toronto Archives
Series 306, Subseries 1, File 57

On May 2, 1967, the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens by 3 goals to 1 to win the Stanley Cup.

The champion team, pictured above, was coached by "Punch" Imlach, and featured George Armstrong as captain, a 42-year-old Johnny Bower in goal and Tim Horton in defence.

1966-67 was the last season when the NHL consisted of the Original Six teams. The Leafs have failed to win the Stanley Cup since.

Sir Ernest MacMillan riding his bicycle on University Avenue
1942
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1569, File 11

On May 6th, 1973, conductor, composer, organist and writer, Sir Ernest MacMillan died.

MacMillan was born in Mimico in 1893. A child prodigy, he performed his first concert aged 10 on the organ at Massey Hall. Completing his music doctorate in 1918, he rapidly gained a reputation as a composer, concert organist, and conductor in Canada and the United States. In 1926 MacMillan was appointed as Principal of the Toronto Conservatory of Music and later became Dean of Music at the University of Toronto.

He is, however, best recognised for his 25-year tenure as Conductor and Musical Director with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where he was particularly known for his dedication to music education for children and young people. He also served as organist for Timothy Eaton Memorial Church.

Bloor Street looking northeast to Avenue Road
April 24, 1924
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1231, Item 2069

On June 15, 1879, the Anglican Church of Canada purchased the lot on the north-east corner of Avenue Road and Bloor Street for $10,000 as the site of the new Church of the Redeemer.

Constructed in the Gothic Revival style, the cornerstone was laid and the building consecrated before the year ended.

The parish fell on hard times during the 1970s. They sold the land and air rights surrounding the Church building to the developers of the Renaissance Centre in 1980. The money received from the sale allowed the church to pay for much needed repairs, and returned the parish to solvency.

The above image of the church was taken in 1924, before Bloor Street was the great commercial thoroughfare it is today.

On June 18 1910 the Toronto Ferry Company launched their new paddle-steamer, Trillium. Sister ship to the Blue Bell and the largest of the company's ferries operating a service between the islands and the mainland, Trillium was in service for forty-six years before she was retired and sold to the Metro Toronto Works Department in 1957.

Unused by the Works Department, Trillium lay abandoned and rotting in an island lagoon until 1974, when, after a series of tests on the state of her hull, $1 million was raised to restore her.

Completely restored Trillium re–entered service in 1976. Today she is owned by the Great Lakes Schooner Company and operates as a charter vessel. She is the last steam operated paddle–wheeler in operation on the Great Lakes.

Eaton mausoleum, Mount Pleasant Cemetery
ca. 1930
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 1608

On June 27, 1914, Mount Pleasant Cemetery was annexed by the City of Toronto. Prior to this the cemetery stood outside the city limits.

Mount Pleasant was opened in 1876 in response to a demand from Methodists and Presbyterians who had nowhere within the city to bury their dead.

The 200 acre site was conceived as a non-denominational burial ground, and continues this practice today. Over 150,000 people are buried in the cemetery, including former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, musician Glenn Gould, and co-discoverer of insulin, Sir Frederick Banting.

The above image is of the Eaton family mausoleum in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Constructed in 1907, it is the final resting place of the founder of the Eaton's company, Timothy Eaton, and his descendants.

Crowds among midway booths at Sunnyside.

Sunnyside, crowd in amusement area, looking west
July 1, 1924
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1266, Globe and Mail, Item 3062

Each summer as the temperature rises, Torontonians flock to the cool breezes of Lake Ontario. On June 28, 1922 citizens of Toronto had another reason to migrate toward the lake, the official opening of the Sunnyside Amusement Park.

Between 1910 and the early 1920's, the Toronto Harbour Commissioners developed large areas of the Toronto waterfront. This included major changes to Sunnyside Beach, a popular swimming site at the foot of Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto's west end.

The new Sunnyside Park included a bathing pavilion, rides, games, restaurants and a beautiful building that housed a boat building shop and dance hall. That building, now the Palais Royale, still operates as a dance hall.

The Bathing Pavilion still also stands, however much of the rest of the site was demolished in the 1950's following a series of fires. Parts of the site were eventually cleared to make way for new road building.

The Riverboat Coffeehouse, located at 134 Yorkville Avenue closed its doors for the last time on June 25, 1978.

An icon in the neighbourhood for over a decade, the basement coffeehouse, only able to seat 100 people showcased emerging Canadian artists such as Bruce Cockburn, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot and many more.

The closing of the Riverboat ended an era of bohemian coffeehouses in Yorkville before gentrification began in the neighbourhood.

Honest Ed's
ca. 1965
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 465

Famous merchant, restaurateur and theatre impresario, Yehuda "Edwin" Mirvish, was born on July 24, 1914, at Colonial Beach, Virginia.

Ed's father, David, worked as a grocer. When he went bankrupt in 1923, David moved his family to Toronto, and eventually opened another store at 788 Dundas Street West.

David died in 1930, and Ed left school at the tender age of 15 to take over the family business. However, he was not successful, and Ed closed the store to take a job with the Power Supermarket chain.

In 1941 Ed noticed a small store for rent at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst streets. He established a new business there, and he and his bride Anne enjoyed considerable success running a dress shop.

In 1948 Ed purchased the row of stores surrounding his shop and began a series of expansions, eventually presiding over a 160,000 sq. ft. emporium. He positioned himself as a bargain king, and sold an incredible array of cut-price merchandise, knick-knacks and household items. He renamed the business 'Honest Ed's', and created a Toronto legend. He died in 2007 but the legend and the store live on.

Double decker bus, in Orange celebration
July 12, 1926
City of Toronto Archives
Series 71, Item 4426

The Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organization, was established in Canada in the early 19th century. The Order found a strong foothold in Toronto, and municipal politics in particular were dominated by it. Up to the 1950s many of the city's top businessmen and politicians were members of the Orange Lodge. Mayor Nathan Phillips, elected in 1954, was the first non-member to lead Toronto's government in the 20th century.

The picture of the double-decker bus shown above was taken during the Toronto Orange Day parade of 1926. This annual parade celebrates the Battle of the Boyne, whose victory by William of Orange in 1690 ensured continued Protestant supremacy in Ireland. Orange Day parades in Toronto were once huge affairs, with thousands of residents lining the streets to watch the spectacle, and with mayors, councillors, and military and marching bands taking part.

Today, the Orange Lodge of Toronto still organizes an Orange Day parade, although on a much smaller scale. This year's event, taking place on July 14, will be the 192nd Toronto parade, making it the longest consecutively held parade in North America.

Miss Toronto 1937, Billie Hallam, eating a sandwich
1937
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 1467

On July 17, 1937, "Billie" Hallam, seen above eating a sandwich, was crowned Miss Toronto.

Held as part of the Toronto police Amateur Athletic Association's Annual Police Games at the Exhibition Grounds, the 1937 Miss Toronto competition was a revival of the 1926 pageant held at the Sunnyside Amusement Park.

Over 300 girls entered the 1937 competition, with east end girl, Miss Hallam, declared winner. She received $2,000 prize money, plus clothing, jewellery and trips to the United States.

By the 1990s, with waning popularity and changing attitudes towards such events, the Miss Toronto beauty contest was brought to an end.

A revival in beauty pageants has occurred in the early twenty-first century, with events such as Miss Chinese Toronto and Miss Toronto Tourism, but they have not yet reached the heights of popularity experienced during the 1930s and 40s.

An Air Canada DC-8 jet taking off from Malton (now Lester B. Pearson) Airport
City of Toronto Archives
Series 249, File 96, Item 1

July marks the anniversary of one of Canada's worst aviation accidents. On July 5, 1970, Air Canada Flight 621 crashed in a field near Brampton, north of Toronto International Airport, killing all 109 passengers and crew on board.

The aircraft, a DC–8 similar to the one pictured above, was flying from Montreal to Toronto, en-route to Los Angeles. The pilot, Capt. Peter Hamilton, a Second World War veteran, and his First Officer, Donald Rowland, inadvertently deployed the spoilers at an altitude of 60 feet rather than upon landing. This immediately caused the aircraft to drop suddenly, hitting the runway violently and tearing off one of the engines.

Capt. Hamilton, unaware of the severity of the damage, pulled back on the control column and applied full throttle to gain altitude and attempt another landing. Two minutes later, at a height of 3,000 feet, two explosions in the remaining starboard engine resulted in the loss of a wing. The aircraft then entered into a nose-dive, impacting with the ground at over 200 mph.

The post-crash clean up of the site was not as thorough as it would have been had the crash occurred today, and debris and remains continuie to be unearthed. Despite this, due to the growth of Brampton, there is continual pressure to allow development in the area. There is no memorial to the dead on or near the site, only in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, where 52 of the victims are buried.

Fire Hall, number 10 (now 312) in Yorkville
1975
City of Toronto Archives
Series 61, File 283, Item 1

On August 19, 1874, City Council approved the creation of a permanent and professional Fire Department consisting of 36 full time men. Prior to this, Toronto relied upon the services of a volunteer fire company.

In his communication to Council, the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department complained that these volunteers "are at their ordinary vocations during the day-time, and at night are asleep at their respective homes, many of them not within the hearing of the alarm bells, and some of them while at their work miles distant from the business part of the City, when their services as firemen may be required."

Council adopted the Chief Engineer's recommendations and Toronto's first full-time Fire Service, with a budget of $12,000 was established. Today the Toronto Fire Service is the largest in Canada, with over 3,000 personnel operating out of 83 stations. In 2011, they responded to over 145,000 separate incidents.

The above image shows Fire Hall 312 (originally number 10) in Yorkville. Constructed in 1876 by the Village of Yorkville, this is one of the city's oldest operational fire halls.

Imperial Theatre (formerly Pantage's Theatre)
Photographer: Ellis Wiley ca. 1972
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 124, File 3, Item 3

On August 28, 1920, Mayor Tommy Church formally opened Toronto's Pantages Theatre.

Designed by architect Thomas Lamb, this theatre hosted live vaudeville acts and motion pictures. With over three thousand seats it was one of the largest theatres in the country.

In 1930, the Pantages was re-named the Imperial. Live acts ceased and the building became exclusively a cinema. It operated in this manner for over 50 years until 1972 when, in the midst of a decline in movie-going, it was re-modelled into a six-screen multiplex, and re-christened the Imperial Six.

In 1988, after a bitter dispute between Famous Players and Cineplex Odeon over the ownership of the building, the Imperial was closed as a cinema. With a renaissance in Toronto's live theatre, the building was re-converted to a live theatre, reverting back to its original name, Pantages. It was again re-named in 2001 as the Canon Theatre, and has been owned by Mirvish Productions since 2008.

The above image was taken in 1972 when The Godfather was playing at The Imperial. It was after the run of this film that the cinema was converted into a multiplex.

Yonge Street south from Bloor Street, 1924.

Yonge Street south from Bloor Street
June 12, 1924
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1231, Item 2020

On August 8, 1925, Toronto's first set of automatic traffic lights entered into operation at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor streets. The new automatic signals replaced rotating 'stop and go' signs manually operated by police officers, as seen in the image above.

The world's first traffic lights appeared in London, UK, in 1868 near Westminster Bridge. Operated by a policeman, the lights were powered by gas. Unfortunately a small leak resulted in one of the lights exploding and badly burning the officer.

The first modern electric traffic lights were installed in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1912. Their use spread across the continent and by the late 1920s many major intersections in many major cities were benefiting from an automated electric traffic control system.

With the Yonge and Bloor intersection being the first in the city to receive traffic lights, it was only fitting that in 2009 it should have been one of the first to become a new scramble intersection. All vehicular traffic is stopped to allow pedestrians to cross in every direction, including diagonally.

Composite image of HM Airship R100 flying over Toronto, 1930
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 10045

HM Airship R100 was built in Yorkshire, England in 1929. After a number of short flights, in which she claimed the world airship speed record of 81mph, the R100 was sent on a test flight to Canada, arriving in Montreal on July 29, after a voyage of just three days.

Measuring 720 feet long with a diameter of 133 feet, R100 remained in Montreal for twelve days to be visited by thousands of curious Montrealers. she then embarked on a twenty-four hour passenger flight to Ottawa, Toronto and Nigara Falls, returning to Britain on August 16, completing that journey in just over fifty hours.

Later that year her sister ship, the R101, crashed in France killing all on board, and the British airship programme was cancelled.

Highway 401 near Midland Avenue, c.1956
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 5599

On August 24, 1956, James Allen, Minister of Highways, opened the last section of the Toronto bypass, a four lane highway stretching from Highway 27 in the west to Highway 2 in the east.

The Toronto bypass was part of a larger plan, conceived in the 1930s, to construct a highway crossing Ontario. At that time the main arterial route across the province was Highway 2, which in Toronto was formed by the Kingston Road, Woodbine Road and Lake Shore Boulevard. This highway passed through every small town creating a great deal of congestion along its route. This trans-provincial highway was numbered 401 in 1952 and was completed in 1968.

The image shows the recently completed four–lane section of Highway 401 near Midland Avenue in Scarborough. Since then, the Toronto bypass stretch of the highway has expanded in some places to 18 lanes and has become one of the busiest roads in the world with over 500,000 vehicles daily.

Labour Day parade, Yonge Street
ca. 1900
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1568, Item 314

The above photograph was taken at the Labour Day parade on Yonge Street, just north of Shuter.

The day's origins in Canada go back to spring 1872 when the Toronto Printer's Union organized a strike and a parade for better conditions and a fifty-four hour work week.

Although many of these printers ended up losing their jobs, the legacy of their actions remained. Parades in support of workers' rights became an annual event, eventually being recognized by the government in 1894, when Labour Day was made a national holiday.

What began as a working class show of solidarity, is now regarded by most Canadians as the unofficial end of summer.

Hanlan's Point Stadium, Toronto Islands, 1928.

Hanlan's Point Stadium, Toronto Islands
August 30, 1928
City of Toronto Archives
Series 372, Subseries 1, Item 854

On September 5, 1914, the Providence Grays visited Toronto to play the Maple Leafs in an International Baseball League fixture. Pitching for the Grays that day was ninteen year–old George Herman Ruth.

Toronto batted first, and by the end of their sixth innings, the Gray's pitcher had limited them to one hit and no runs scored. In the Grays sixth innings, already one run up, the young "Babe" Ruth stepped out to bat with two base runners on.

The Maple Leaf's pitcher, Johnson, tossed his fast ball. Ruth made perfect contact and sent the ball flying over the grandstand into the lake for his first professional home run. It was to be the first of over 700 in his career.

The Hanlan's point stadium was the largest in the minor leagues at that time, with a capacity of 17,000. The Maple Leafs left for their new home at the bottom of Bathurst Street in 1925, while the Hanlan's Point stadium fell into disrepair.

The above image was taken in 1928, shortly before the City Architect ordered its demolition.

Carlton Street and Maple Leaf Gardens, c.1934
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 3185

On September 21 1931, the cornerstone of the new Maple Leaf Gardens was laid by Lieutenant–Governor William Donald Ross. The building officially opened two months later on November 12 1931. Although the Toronto Maple Leafs lost their opening game 2–1 to the Chicago Blackhawks, they did go on to win the Stanley Cup, in their inaugural season at 'The Gardens'. Maple Leaf Gardens was to be the home of the Leafs for the next sixty-seven years.

Construction took place during the midst of the Great Depression. Despite this, the $1.5 million it took to build the arena was raised. Much of the cash was acquired from loans and about $200,000 in savings was made when construction workers accepted twenty percent of their payment in stock instead of cash. The building only took five months to complete.

As well as hosting hockey, Maple Leaf Gardens also staged wrestling, boxing, including a Mohammed Ali fight in 1966, and concerts. Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and The Beatles all played at the Gardens during their visits to Canada. The Gardens also hosted theatrical, operatic and ballet performances.

The Maple Leafs final opponents at 'The Gardens' were the Chicago Blackhawks. The Leafs lost 6–2.

Commissioner of Public Works, R.C. Harris
February 28, 1933
Photographer: Arthur Goss
City of Toronto Archives
Series 372, Subseries 41, Item 291

On September 2, 1945, Toronto Commissioner of Public Works, Rowland Caldwell Harris, died.

Arguably the city's greatest civil servant, Harris was Toronto's Commissioner of Public Works from 1912 until his death. He was born in North York in 1875, and, after a brief career in journalism, he joined the City staff as a clerk.

Harris rapidly rose through the ranks, becoming Property Commissioner in 1905, when he only 30 years old. He became the Street Cleaning Commissioner in 1910 and, finally, Commissioner of Public Works in 1912.

During Harris' tenure, the City embarked on its greatest period of infrastructure investment. Projects included the construction of the Bloor Street Viaduct (1919), the Victoria Park Water Filtration Plant (1920 – later renamed after R.C. Harris), the extension of University Avenue to Front Street (1931), and hundreds of sewer, water main and bridge constructions.

September 2009 saw the sixtieth anniversary of one of Toronto's worst maritime disasters, the loss of the S.S. Noronic.

On September 17, 1949, the Noronic was docked at Pier 9, at the foot of Bay Street. Setting sail from Detroit on September 14, she was two nights into a seven-day cruise of Lake Ontario, with 524 passenges and 171 crew aboard.

At 2:30 am a passenger discovered smoke seeping from under the door of a linen closet. A member of the crew attempted to extinguish the flames, but the ship's fire hoses did not work.

By the time the Fire Department arrived, the fire had been blazing for ten minutes and already half the ship's decks were ablaze. It took until 5:00 am to extinguish the blaze and another two hours before the hull cooled to allow the recovery of bodies. The total number of dead is unknown, but was estimated to be between 118 and 139, all of whom were passengers.

Ceremonial arch on Bay Street commemorating visit of Duke of York, 1901

Independent Order of Foresters' Arch, Bay Street at Richmond Street West, 1901
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1568, Item 504-2

In the autumn of 1901, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, later King George V and Queen Mary, visited of Canada. They stayed in Toronto for two days, reviewing troops, greeting thousands of people, and being entertained by the lieutenant-governor, Sir Oliver Mowat.

As part of the celebrations, prominent buildings were illuminated at night and a number of ceremonial arches were constructed throughout the city. This image shows the arch at Bay and Richmond Street, erected by the Independent Order of Foresters.

Opening of the Bloor Street Viaduct
October 18, 1918
City of Toronto Archives
Series 372, Subseries 10, Item 868

On October 18, 1918 the Prince Edward Viaduct, more commonly known as the Bloor Viaduct, was opened to traffic.

The need for a bridge connecting the developments east of the Don to the city core became apparent in the early 20th century. After three unsuccessful plebiscites in 1910, 1911 and 1912, the citizens of Toronto finally approved construction of the viaduct. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in January 1915.

The Viaduct consists of three sections: Bridges over the Don Valley and the Rosedale Ravine, and an embankment from Bloor to Sherbourne streets. Although opened in October 1918, construction along the entire 1 mile (1.6 kilometre) route was not complete until August 1919.

Arguably the most visionary aspect of the viaduct was the inclusion of a lower deck beneath the main road to carry a subway. It wouldn't be for another 50 years until this part of the design was utilized, but the insistence of Commissioner of Works, R.C. Harris to retain this element, saved the city millions of dollars.

The Bloor Viaduct is one of Toronto's most famous landmarks, and has been featured in music, literature and on film.

Mackenzie King visits the John Inglis plant, October 1942

William Lyon MacKenzie King at the John Inglis Co. plant, 1942
City of Toronto Archives
Series 958, File 58

On October 9, 1942 Mackenzie King visited Toronto, one of his scheduled stops was the John Inglis plant. He and several reporters were shown through the different departments. About the visit, Mackenzie King wrote this in his diary:

John Inglis opened his Toronto factory on Strachan Avenue in 1881. The company produced pulleys, steam engines, water wheels and received contracts to manufacture a large engines and boilers.

During the war years guns were manufactured for Canadian and British troops, employing almost 18,000 people. The company had factories on land that extended from Strachan Avenue along Liberty Street and west to Hanna Avenue.

After the war the plant switched its focus to consumer products. The plant on Strachan Ave. closed in 1989 – operating almost continuously for 108 years.

Flooded Street, Hurricane Hazel damage, October 16, 1954

Hurrican Hazel Damage
October 16, 1954
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 1999

October 1954 was a devastating month for those living in and around Toronto. On the evening of October 15, the city was unexpectedly hit by Hurricane Hazel, the most destructive storm on record to date.

The month was unusually rainy, and the storm dropped a further 24 billion gallons of water onto saturated ground, causing rivers to overflow and widespread flooding. Thirty-six residents of Raymore Drive in Weston were drowned when the nearby Humber River burst its banks and swept away the street.

North of the city, the low-lying Holland Marsh flooded, leaving 3,000 people without homes. The long cleanup effort involved both the Canadian Army and Navy. Eighty-one people in and around Toronto were killed on the night of the storm, and property damage was estimated in the millions.

Opening night, O'Keefe Centre
October 1, 1960
Photographer: Alexandra Studio
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 831

Saturday October 1st 1960 was by all standards a glamorous night to be in downtown Toronto. The newly built O'Keefe Centre opened its doors for the first time with a premier production of the musical, Camelot staring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet.

Located in a relatively underdeveloped area of former railway land, the new theatre at the corner of Yonge and Front streets was a bold, modern statement. The building was designed by Toronto architect Earle C. Morgan and the distinguished Toronto firm Page and Steele, with Peter Dickinson. The design reflects the sleek lines and rectilinear forms of the International style which came to define Toronto's architectural landscape in the 1950's.

In 1996 the theatre was renamed the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts after Canadian software company, Hummingbird Communications Ltd. donated $5 million for capital improvements. In 2007 the building's name changed once again, becoming the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

After a two year renovation which included the addition of a residential tower, the theatre opened on October 1st 2010, 50 years to the day after its original opening in 1960.

Glenn Gould receives watch from Mayor Nathan Phillips
1956
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 3070

Glenn Gould, one of the most celebrated pianists of the 20th century, passed away on October 4, 1982 after suffering a stroke. He had just celebrated his fiftieth birthday.

Gould was born into a musical family. He received his first piano from his mother and learned to read music before he could read words. He graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music aged twelve, and gave his first orchestral performance three years later in 1947 with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

In 1964 Gould gave his last concert performance. Deciding to concentrate on recording, writing and broadcasting, he produced over 100 albums, a number of radio programs for the CBC, and numerous articles, essays and reviews. Gould was posthumously inducted to the Canadian Hall of Fame in 1983

The above image shows Glenn Gould receiving a presentation watch from Mayor Nathan Phillips in 1956.

St Lawrence Market, south-west corner of Jarvis and Front Streets, 1914
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1231, Item 650

On November 3 1803, Lieutenant-Governor Peter Hunter established a public market that would be held on November 5 and every Saturday thereafter, on the 5 acres of land bounded by Front, Jarvis, King and Market Streets.

The first permanent market structure was constructed on the site in 1831 and also housed the town hall. When Toronto was incorporated as a city, a new city hall was built on the south side of Front Street. This structure survives, in a modified form, now housing the present south market.

The image above shows the canopy which spanned Front Street, connecting the south and north markets. This was removed in 1954 and the old north market building was demolished six years later and replaced with the present structure.

Twelve horse team, pulling snow sweeper down Queen Street
November 21, 1891
City of Toronto Archives
Series 71, Item 3376

The sight of snow ploughs in Toronto is nothing new, but Torontonians in November 21st, 1891 would have taken notice of the spectacle of the Toronto Street Railway Company's new snow sweeper being drawn by a twelve horse team.

The sweeper brushed snow from the streetcar rails and road surface using twin brushes on the front of the vehicle. On the day this photograph was taken, the humble sweeper had a very different job; transporting Members of Council and guests to the cornerstone laying ceremony of Toronto's third City Hall, (today known as Old City Hall).

Mayor Edward Clarke laid the cornerstone, an unmarked grey and brown block, 6 by 4 feet in size. The grey in the stone was quarried from the Credit River Valley in Ontario and the brown was from New Brunswick.

Belt Line station, Moore Park
1909
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 1109

On November 17, 1892, after just 27 months, service ended on the Toronto Belt Line railway.

Established by a group of businessmen who were developing large parcels of land to the city's north and west, the line was intended to attract potential buyers to these new residential neighbourhoods. The Belt Line would link these suburbs to downtown Toronto with a railway that would encircle the city.

The railway consisted of two separate loops, both commencing from Union Station. The eastern loop circled around the north end of the city via the Don Valley, Mount Pleasant Cemetery and the Grand Trunk Railway tracks in the west, while the western loop passed through Swansea, Lambton and West Toronto Junction, returning to Union Station, via Parkdale.

Unfortunately for the line's investors, the land boom did not materilaize. With little development, the line was soon starved of paying passengers. By July 1894, there were only three trains a day on each of the loops, and by November, service was ended.

Today no tracks and buildings remain. The section of the line illustrated in the above photograph now forms part of the Kay Gardener Belt Line Trail, one of the city's popular Discovery Walks.

Mark IV tank on University Avenue crushing a car, c.1918

Tank crushes car in victory bond drive, University Avenue, 1918
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 733

November 11, 1918 saw the signing of the armistice that ended the First World War.

News from the Compiègne Forest, in the French region of Picardy, reached Toronto shortly before 3 o'clock in the morning. Within a few minutes celebrations began. This image shows a Mark IV tank demonstrating its abilities against an automobile on University Avenue.

Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 1946, giant vegetable competition

Governor General Viscount Alexander and Viscountess Alexander
view produce display at Royal Winter Fair
November 1, 1946
Photographer: Alexandra Studio
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1057, Item 2309

The above image of the Governor General, Viscount Alexander of Tunis, and his wife viewing the produce display (or giant vegetables competition) was taken at the 1946 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, held in the Coliseum at the Canadian National Exhibition.

The Royal, as it is colloquially known, has taken place in Toronto every November since the first Winter Fair of 1922. That event saw 17,000 agricultural entries with over 150,000 visitors, while today over 325,000 people (and animals) visit and participate.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the largest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition in the world, and important an exhibit for Canadian livestock breeders. And they still hold the giant vegetables competition.

The above photograph was taken during the game between the Toronto Argonauts (hooped shirts) and the Ottawa Roughriders at Varsity Stadium on November 15, 1924. The Argos ran out 12–6 victors in front of a crowd of over 5,000 spectators.

According to the Toronto Globe report, the highlight of the match was a 125 yard Argo's touchdown. Argonaut Archie Thomas retrieved the ball behind his own goal line, side-stepped two Ottawa players then, 'darted right in the midst of the Ottawa team. Faking passes and dodging like a Dervish dancer, he evaded tackle after tackle, and then raced across the field,' passing the ball to teammate George Thom, who carried the ball over for a touchdown.

This match was the last game of the season for the Argo's, who finished second in the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union, behind the Hamilton Tigers. The Tigers went on to lose 11–1 to Queen's University the following week in the Eastern semi-final at Varsity Stadium. The students then took on Ontario RFU champions, the Toronto Balmy Beach Beachers at Varsity Stadium on November 29 in the Eastern Canada senior final.

Winning 11-3, the 'Tricolors' were not only champions of Eastern Canada, but also brought home the Grey Cup for the third successive year. Western Champions, the Winnipeg Victorias, were scheduled to play the winners of the Eastern final the next week, but could not agree whether to come to Toronto on the Canadian Pacific or the Canadian National Railway!

West side of Yonge Street, north of Eglinton
1968
City of Toronto Archives
Series 648, File 239, Item 6

December 7, 2012 saw the 175th anniversary of the defeat of William Lyon Mackenzie and his rebels' attempt to overthrow the government of Upper Canada.

Frustrated with the political system of the time, Mackenzie and his 800 ill-equipped and untrained rebels began to march southwards from their headquarters at Montgomery's Tavern. Local militia repelled and dispersed them before they could reach the city.

2 days later, Lieutenant Governor Sir Francis Bond Head ordered 1,000 militia and volunteers to attack the rebels. Mackenzie's reduced force of less than 200 were routed just south of the tavern, and the rebellion was crushed.

The site of the Tavern, on Yonge Street just north of Eglinton Avenue, is now a National Historic site and was formerly occupied by Canada Post's Postal Station K, pictured above in 1968.

This Post Office is itself an historic monument, being one of the few buildings in the world to carry the cypher of King Edward VIII. This building has recently been purchased by developers and is under threat of demolition.

William James was Toronto's, and possibly Canada's, first press photographer. His focus tended to be on people rather than settings, recording the life and times of all classes of Torontonians, from newly arrived immigrants and impoverished residents of 'the Ward' to high society and visiting royalty.

The William James family collection, stored at the City of Toronto Archives, consists of 12,000 images, documenting 70 years of Toronto's history. The photographs were taken by William and two of his sons, Norman and William Jr, who both became professional photographers in their own right.

Streetcar on Yonge Street outside of Loew's Theatre
December 20, 1935
Photographer: Alfred Pearson
City of Toronto Archives
Series 71, Item 11702

December 1913 saw the opening of the centrepiece of Marcus Loew's Canadian theatre chain, the Leow's Yonge Street Theatre.

This theatre, now known as the Elgin, was designed by New York architect Thomas Lamb, who also designed the Pantages Theatre (now known as the Canon Theatre) located further north on Yonge Street. Lowe's was richly decorated and ornate, with gold leaf, plaster cherubs and resplendent opera boxes.

Just a few months later, the Winter Garden Theatre was opened. It was located seven stories above the Yonge Street Theatre. Only a few of these double-decker theatres were ever built, and the Elgin Winter Garden Theatre is the only one remaining in the world. Leow's complex hosted vaudeville acts, attracting some of the world's top talent, including George Burns and Gracie Allen.

With the decline of vaudeville in the late 1920s, the Winter Garden closed. The Elgin continued to operate as a movie house, but the building and its programming both deteriorated until the complex was purchased by the Ontario Heritage Trust in 1981.

The Trust restored the theatres, and in December 1989, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre was opened. It is now one of Canada's finest theatrical stage complexes.

The above image was taken in December 1935, when the theatre was showing Mutiny on the Bounty starring Charles Laughton and Clark Gable.

Christopher Plummer with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, rehearsing Henry V
January 1993
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1569, File 1226

On December 13, actor and native Torontonian, Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer celebrates his birthday.

Born in Toronto in 1929, Plummer later moved with his mother to her home town of Senneville, Quebec. Initially studying to be a concert pianist, he discovered his passion for acting while at high school.

Plummer apprenticed with the Montreal Repertory Theatre and joined the Canadian Repertory Theatre in Ottawa in 1950. He made his first television appearance in 1951 in a CBC production of Othello. His Broadway debut came in 1954 along with the first of his many film roles when he played opposite Henry Fonda in Stage Struck.

The above image shows Plummer rehearsing with the TSO for the 1993 production of Henry V. It was Laurence Olivier's film version of this play which inspired him to be an actor in the first place.

At two minutes past midnight on December 11 1962, the last hangings in Canada took place at the Don Jail. Ronald Turpin had been found guilty of the murder of police officer Frederick Nash, and Arthur Lucas was convicted for the the murder of Thornton Crater, an FBI agent.

Canadian judges had donned the black cap over 1,400 times since confederation, with over half of those sentenced going the gallows. Legislation in 1961 re-classified murder into capital (first-degree) or non-capital (second-degree) offences, with the death penalty limited to the former. The death sentence was abolished in civil law in 1976, although it remained on the statute book under the National Defence Act for treason and mutiny until 1998.

The above image of the jail was taken by Toronto amateur photographer Ellis Wiley. The Archives has over 1,500 of Mr Wiley's colour slides of Toronto, taken between 1945 and 1993, within its collection. These are available to view online.