Parking lot on City Hall site
Site of City Hall before start of construction
October 16, 1961
Photographer: Panda Associates
City of Toronto Archives, Series 1318, Item 265

 

Permit says: Application for permit to build superstructure for city hall building
Original building permit for New City Hall
June 21, 1961

 

Ground was broken for the New City Hall on November 7, 1961. Mayor Nathan Phillips, Q.C., turned the first sod for the building and its surrounding square, which had already been named in his honour to recognize his tireless advocacy of the City Hall project. (That day also happened to be the Mayor’s 69th birthday, and the crowd sang ‘Happy Birthday to You.’) The ceremony took place in front of the Registry Office.

 

City Hall sod turning program and facts
Program for sod turning for City Hall
1961
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1232, File 9

 

Toronto mayors past and present lifting a piece of sod at City Hall site
Sod-turning ceremony
November 7, 1961
City of Toronto Archives, Series 1476, Item 35

 

Christmas card with photo of City Hall sod turning
Mayor Nathan Phillips’ Christmas card
ca. 1961
City of Toronto Archives
Series 1232, File 9

 

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