Bob Georgiou
bobgeorgiouto.bsky.social
Bob Georgiou
@bobgeorgiouto.bsky.social
Torontophile, writer, historian. Toronto history. Writings in York Pioneer & Spacing Magazine. Loves libraries&archives, parks & cultural heritage. (he/him/his)

www.scenesto.com
Here's one for Sandwiches of History or Tasting History:
Evening Sandwiches from 1859! (The Globe, Jan 31, 1859)
November 24, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Reposted by Bob Georgiou
A literal row of bollards (over 2 dozen) for no apparent reason line a very short stretch of Victoria Park Ave.

And they're all vintage pre-amalgamation Metro Toronto stock.

#praisethebollard #Toronto #vintage @worldbollardassoc.bsky.social #bollard
November 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Tonight's Police Court reports show a not so Merry Christmas & Happy New Year for a Stanley (Lombard) Street family. (Globe, December 23, 1858)
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Reposted by Bob Georgiou
#30DayMapChallenge

Day 9 #ImLibraryPeople

TPL_on_reddit says “Each corresponds to areas in the north, east, south/ centre and west of the city limits back then. Pre-amalgamated TPL had a smaller geographic footprint than today's TPL”

h/t @rebeccachesley.bsky.social @gmeslin.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Bob Georgiou
On this date in 1908, workers building a waterworks tunnel under Lake Ontario discovered up to 100 human footprints in the lakebed. The prints may have been up to 11,000 years old. However, they were in the path of the tunnel, so they were covered them in concrete.
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Looking west from Don Mills Road over Highway 401 in 1965 & 2021.
November 14, 2025 at 1:05 AM
I must mention Norman Lucas, one of GWL's sons, who had a big role in the story. He was wounded in WWI. It goes to show that the impact of the Great War was so prevalent that it factors into a seemingly unrelated research topic. A sobering thought for today.

18thbattalioncef.blog/soldiers-fou...
Lucas, Norman: Service no. 770036
Digitized Service Record Source: Per news clipping post by David Archer at 18th Battalion Facebook Page (not group). Find-A-Grave Lucas, Norman: Service no. 770036. Source: Toronto Telegram. Novemb…
18thbattalioncef.blog
November 12, 2025 at 1:32 AM
It was having an outing at Red Rocket when I saw this. Then it was down the rabbit hole. One that led to penning an article:

scenesto.com/2025/11/11/t...
November 11, 2025 at 11:33 PM
One century-old building. Three mysterious initials. Many remarkable stories.

Explore the neat history of 1351-1367 Danforth Avenue!

#TOheritage #Danforth #TorontoArchitecture

https://scenesto.com/2025/11/11/the-mystery-on-danforth-avenue-who-was-g-w-l/
November 11, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I share Patrick's great work every year. Please take a bit of time to peruse these maps as they really hit close to home with impact the wars had on the city. #LestWeForget
Here is a working link to the original Poppy File map, which shows about 3,300 of Toronto's Second World War war dead at the household level. Click on a home to see details. The First World War map follows in the thread /1 t.co/4P9GUkl8m0
November 10, 2025 at 10:51 PM
And the answer is.... (Duh?)
They were counted somewhere else
November 8, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Historian and census aficionado friends:

What does it mean when an entry is crossed out and noted "CANCELLED"?
November 8, 2025 at 11:25 PM
And the answer is.....George William Lucas! He was a builder who purchased the land in 1921. Thank you to Mary on Instagram and Jeff Stewart for the information!
Does anyone have any info on this date marker: "C.W.L. 1922."? (Or maybe G.W.L?) Building is Danforth and Gillard Avenues.

Google gives me the Catholic Women’s League as a possibility, but I haven't found any connection to the building.
November 7, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Does anyone have any info on this date marker: "C.W.L. 1922."? (Or maybe G.W.L?) Building is Danforth and Gillard Avenues.

Google gives me the Catholic Women’s League as a possibility, but I haven't found any connection to the building.
November 4, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Reposted by Bob Georgiou
An introductory thread for my new followers...
1) A proper hello to the influx of new followers I've gained this weekend. This thread will tell you who I am, what you can expect from this feed, and other things that may help you determined whether you want to stick around or run, run, RUN for your lives!
November 2, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Today, I was able to see Scarborough Fire Hall #1, built 1925. Very neat building and history! Go Scarborough!
November 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Well, Blue Jays, you got this non-fan to get caught up in the fandom. And I feel the heartbreak too.
November 2, 2025 at 4:20 AM
I laughed.
geddy lee claps for the blue jays in 7/4 time
November 2, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Tonight's setup. Police Court and The Game. Let's go Blue Jays!
November 2, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Aha, found the source of the surge! Really cool to be on this list of amazing people. Do follow them!
Bluesky is at 40 million and the urbanism community on here seems to keep growing. Here’s my updated Starter Pack of Canadian planners, architects, advocates and urbanists. Some well known faces … and some you should get to know! Give them a follow! go.bsky.app/AEYL7FZ
November 1, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I've just had a bunch of recent followers, so welcome all! I post about Toronto history stuff. Beyond my favourite archival pic of Toronto courtesy the great TPL.
November 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Oh, shame! Check out this account of a lively scrimmage between a servant and chamber-maid at the American Hotel from The Globe, August 25, 1856. The American stood at Yonge & Front.

Globe & Mail Archives and Archives of Ontario
October 30, 2025 at 11:09 PM
This weekend! I'll be there!
🎉 Get ready, Toronto history buffs and fire history enthusiasts! 📚✨

The York Pioneer Journal Launch is almost here, and you’re all invited to be part of this FREE day of fun! 🕰️

📅 Sunday November 2; 10 AM to 2 PM
📍 Where: 351 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough
October 29, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Reposted by Bob Georgiou
Gerrard St. East - from Chinatown east to the tracks - will be facing changes as the Ontario Line gets developed. Photographer Peter MacCallum captures its current state. spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
Gerrard Street East Part 1, 2023-2024 - Spacing Toronto
In the spring of 2023, a friend who was familiar with my earlier documentary photography of the city’s main streets suggested that I consider doing a project on the highly varied streetscape of Gerrar...
spacing.ca
October 29, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Harraghy, Hallachy, Harrachy....three different spellings of the SAME person in as many articles in The Globe in 1858. The perils of 19th century reporting.
October 29, 2025 at 1:19 AM