Toronto History

02/17/2026

Toronto baseball

So here's a great photo of Toronto, dated November 1926, which shows the newly built Maple Leaf Stadium, centre in the background right next to Tip Top Tailors under construction (which would be completed in 1929). The stadium is less than a year old and had just finished hosting the winning AAA Maple Leafs in the Junior World Series. In the right of the foreground is the older Maple Leafs Park at Hanlan"s Point on the Toronto Islands. This was the park where Babe Ruth hit his only minor league home run way back in 1914. The ball would be lost in Lake Ontario forever. The original stadium would remain standing for another decade before being demolished in the late 1930s. Anybody remember Maple Leaf Stadium?

01/31/2026

Love this! Toronto 1774 to present.
Thank you, History Revived.

01/02/2026

Very cool video of Toronto's history going back to the beginnings of Fort York.

Journey through the rich past of Toronto with this engaging history documentary, tracing its evolution from a garrison town ...

04/20/2024

120 years ago, Toronto suffered a great loss but eventually prospered in the end.

05/26/2023

One of Toronto's best kept secrets is a small farm located just south of the Thistletown neighbourhood.

In 1830, noted businessman John Grubb purchased 150 acres of farmland situated along the Humber River. Known for it's fertile soil and lush scenery, Grubb's farmland ran north of Albion plank rd. and sat just three miles from the present day Weston township.

Less than four years later, the city of York would be renamed 'Toronto', and the Grubb family would continue to develop land throughout western Etobicoke; subdividing partitions of Grubb's Thistletown farm in the process.

In 1950, 3.8 acres of Grubb's farmland were purchased by Percy and Gloria Kirby. With many renovations needed, and the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel wiping out an entire year's worth of crops, the Kirby's would spend the better part of the next two decades restoring the dishevelled homestead back to working order.

As established farmers themselves, the Kirby's grew a variety of crops on their farmland property, including rhubarb, cabbage and tomatoes. Besides vegetation, the Kirby's also added two greenhouses to the property during the 1960's, the footings of which are still visible to this day.

The Kirby's operated their farm until 1973, when the family decided to eventually sell their property to a land developer. With plans to convert the farmland into urbanized housing, these redevelopment propositions were ultimately declined by the city council, and subsequently by the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority ((MTRCA), who deemed the surrounding farmland as a flood plain, meaning no tenant could build upon the land.

Meanwhile. John Anga would occasionally drive by the vacant property with hopes of purchasing it. As luck would have it, a 'for sale' sign went up in 1980, and John acted immediately.

Carrying on the traditions of Toronto's early settlers, John would establish Anga's Farm and Nursery; a destination that now grows thousands of plants, vegetables, and fruits a year.

In 1997, just before the amalgamation of Toronto, John Anga received a declaration from the city of Toronto declaring his property as the last working farm in Etobicoke.

- Justin Ziadeh (Toronto History, Vintage Rexdale)

03/15/2023

Toronto's history has been kept alive thanks to many great photographers over the years and if you grew up in Toronto in the 80's and 90's, then you'll be happy to know that some new vintage photos have been added to the Toronto Archives taken by a very talented photographer, Avard Woolaver Photography. There are currently 700 of his photos available to help you reminisce so check them out in the link below and give him a follow. You won't be disappointed!

https://avardwoolaver.com/2023/03/

09/06/2022

The Toronto waterfront is home to many historical and cultural landmarks. One of the tallest structures found along the Queens Quay West is a 30 foot (914 cm) high monument located in Toronto's Inukshuk Park.

Made entirely of granite and weighing in at 50 tonnes, the Inukshuk monument pays tribute Canada's Inuit, Iñupiat, Kalaallit, and Yupik regions. Traditionally, the Inukshuk were for used for centuries as markers to help travellers in search of hunting grounds, fishing places, camp sites and places of worship.

In a similar fashion, the Toronto Inukshuk was unveiled in 2002 to commemorate World Youth Day, when Pope John Paul II visited the city. Speaking at the unveiling, former Mayor Mel Lastman added:

“World Youth Day has been a true navigational guide for millions of young people throughout the world. The Toronto Inukshuk invites each one of us to become beacons of light and hope, striving for justice and peace in this world.”

Today, the stone slabs found in Toronto's Inukshuk park remain one of the largest of it's kind in North America.

Photo and writeup: Justin Ziadeh Photography

08/13/2022

When the town of York was incorporated as the city of Toronto, March 6, 1834. This extremely well-detailed pictorial map by the artist Ethel G.A. Foster illustrates the town of York (later Toronto) in its infancy, with the location of homes and buildings, dates of the construction of important local monuments, and other historical vignettes dating back to 1794, when the fort was established by order of King Louis XV of France.

It was illustrated in 1934 to celebrate the the 100 years anniversary of its founding in 1834. If you look closely at the text at the top, you will see it gives a brief history of Toronto, dating back to its naming in 1686.

I've always loved this map. The area I grew up in was just filled with "forest trees untouched by axe" back then and the CN Tower was a mere rolling stone. Do you recognize any places?

07/27/2022

The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant is both a historical building and popular set piece for many feature films on the big screen.

Opened in 1941, the plant was constructed as a response to the water shortages and unsafe drinking water issues that plagued Toronto during the early 20th century.

The plant itself is named after Roland Caldwell Harris, who served as the longtime commissioner of Toronto's public works from 1912 to 1945.

Along with the plant's cathedral-like exterior, the plant has earned the nickname the "palace of purification" as a nod to the site's vast hallways, marble entryways and numerous filtration equipment. All of which are still fully-functional and continue to provide 30 percent of Toronto's general water supply.

Location: 2701 Queen St E, Scarborough
Photography and write-up: Justin Ziadeh Photography

07/25/2022

First constructed in 1939, the Queen Elizabeth Way Monument (also simply known as the "Lion Monument") is a 40 ft tall sandstone landmark residing over Sir Casimir Gzowski Park.

With Britain and Canada entering the second World War, the "snarling and defiant British Lion" partition of the monument was chosen to represent the British empire. Centred directly above the lion sculpture are relief portraits of Queen Elizabeth and King George VI along with a crown at the apex of the pillar.

The top step of the monument reads:
"The Queen Elizabeth Way was opened by the King and Queen in June 1939 marking the first visit of a reigning sovereign to a sister dominion of the empire.

The courage and resolution of their majesties in undertaking the royal visit in face of imminent war have inspired the people of this province to complete this work in the empire's darkest hour in full confidence and a lasting peace".

In 1975, the Queen Elizabeth Way Monument was relocated from the entrance of the QEW to Sir Casimir Park following the city's eight lane expansion in the area. As a result, Queen Elizabeth (then known as "The Queen Mother") re-dedicated the monument in 1989.

Photography and write-up by: Justin Ziadeh Photography

07/15/2022

At the corner of University Avenue and Queen street West resides a collection of bronze statues set before a 70 foot granite column.

Initially installed in 1910, the South African War Memorial pays tribute to the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in the South African War (1899-1902).

The three bronze sculptures at the base of the memorial represent Canada sending her sons off to war. Additionally, the apex of the granite column contains a winged angel who is depicted raising a crown in victory. Due to transportation and funding issues at the time, the victory portion of the memorial was delayed until August of 1911.

From an artistic standpoint, the angel's design is a homage to the ancient Greek sculpture "The Winged Victory of Samothrace" which can be traced back to 190 BC.

After four years, the final inscriptions to the memorial were added in 1914 that listed the names of the Canadians killed in the Boer war.

Photography and write-up: Justin Ziadeh Photography