Hogtown 101
@hogtown101.bsky.social
Toronto history from various angles.
Reposted by Hogtown 101
From the Hudson’s Bay Company Collection — now being sold after HBC’s bankruptcy.
I feel we should ask City of Toronto or the Toronto Public Library, or the AGO to acquire this painting and keep it public within the city it depicts.
I feel we should ask City of Toronto or the Toronto Public Library, or the AGO to acquire this painting and keep it public within the city it depicts.
October 11, 2025 at 12:10 AM
From the Hudson’s Bay Company Collection — now being sold after HBC’s bankruptcy.
I feel we should ask City of Toronto or the Toronto Public Library, or the AGO to acquire this painting and keep it public within the city it depicts.
I feel we should ask City of Toronto or the Toronto Public Library, or the AGO to acquire this painting and keep it public within the city it depicts.
After SCTV, Dave Thomas starred in a short-lived TV sci-fi spoof 'Rocket Boy.' Produced in Toronto by Nelvana and directed by John Blanchard (SCTV; Kids in the Hall), it co-starred John Candy & Ron James. It was re-cut into a TV movie in 1989, which you can see here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahMS...
July 18, 2025 at 7:12 PM
After SCTV, Dave Thomas starred in a short-lived TV sci-fi spoof 'Rocket Boy.' Produced in Toronto by Nelvana and directed by John Blanchard (SCTV; Kids in the Hall), it co-starred John Candy & Ron James. It was re-cut into a TV movie in 1989, which you can see here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahMS...
Reposted by Hogtown 101
Layers of the past at Gerrard and Logan
June 28, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Layers of the past at Gerrard and Logan
Reposted by Hogtown 101
RIP Steve Leckie, the ground zero of Toronto punk youtu.be/2Y8rorqIggc
The Viletones "Screaming Fist"
YouTube video by TObeSCENE
youtu.be
June 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
RIP Steve Leckie, the ground zero of Toronto punk youtu.be/2Y8rorqIggc
Reposted by Hogtown 101
Henry Spinney died of inflammation in 1851 at age 26. He was buried in Toronto's Potter’s Field and his marker and remains were moved to Mount Pleasant Cemetery in 1875. A team from the OGS Toronto Branch @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social uncovered his marker in 2024 with the help of the cemetery.
May 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Henry Spinney died of inflammation in 1851 at age 26. He was buried in Toronto's Potter’s Field and his marker and remains were moved to Mount Pleasant Cemetery in 1875. A team from the OGS Toronto Branch @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social uncovered his marker in 2024 with the help of the cemetery.
Birds' eye view of the Princes' Gates in the 1950s: Exhibition Place, Shell Oil Tower and CNE Grandstand in view.
May 15, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Birds' eye view of the Princes' Gates in the 1950s: Exhibition Place, Shell Oil Tower and CNE Grandstand in view.
When you got lost inside Honest Ed's, these were basically waymarkers.
May 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
When you got lost inside Honest Ed's, these were basically waymarkers.
Reposted by Hogtown 101
The thing about an event at the Ontario Legislature is once it ends the building is empty and you can kinda wander it. It’s basically the Overlook Hotel.
April 25, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The thing about an event at the Ontario Legislature is once it ends the building is empty and you can kinda wander it. It’s basically the Overlook Hotel.
A selection of Toronto restaurants in 1989, published in Margaret MacKenzie's "The Toronto Guide" (1989). Peter Pan on Queen St. W. is one of the last still standing.
April 24, 2025 at 3:09 AM
A selection of Toronto restaurants in 1989, published in Margaret MacKenzie's "The Toronto Guide" (1989). Peter Pan on Queen St. W. is one of the last still standing.
Canadian Bank of Commerce branch on the N.E. corner of St. Clair Ave. W. at Dufferin at the time of construction circa 1918.
April 18, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Canadian Bank of Commerce branch on the N.E. corner of St. Clair Ave. W. at Dufferin at the time of construction circa 1918.
Reposted by Hogtown 101
Interested in presenting the 2025 Toronto History Lecture on August 5? We're still accepting proposals. What's your Toronto story? Get in touch before May 1:
torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
Calling all Toronto Historians! The Toronto History Lecture returns this year on Tuesday August 5. If you have an interesting Toronto story to tell please contact us. We're accepting proposals until May 10. Click here for more information:
torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toronto-history-lecture/
torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toronto-history-lecture/
April 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Interested in presenting the 2025 Toronto History Lecture on August 5? We're still accepting proposals. What's your Toronto story? Get in touch before May 1:
torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
Reposted by Hogtown 101
167 years ago today, on April 13, 1858, a powerful storm severed the peninsula protecting Toronto’s harbour, creating the permanent eastern gap to the Toronto Islands.
#OTD #onthisday #torontoislands #easterngap #1850s #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #hopkindesign
#OTD #onthisday #torontoislands #easterngap #1850s #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #hopkindesign
April 14, 2025 at 12:04 AM
167 years ago today, on April 13, 1858, a powerful storm severed the peninsula protecting Toronto’s harbour, creating the permanent eastern gap to the Toronto Islands.
#OTD #onthisday #torontoislands #easterngap #1850s #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #hopkindesign
#OTD #onthisday #torontoislands #easterngap #1850s #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #hopkindesign
Nathan Phillips' Hair (1948)
April 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Nathan Phillips' Hair (1948)
One of the oddest collaborations of Toronto talent was Doug Henning’s first big production as a magician-showman: “Spellbound” (1973) at the Royal Alex, starring Henning, produced by Ivan Reitman, co-starring Jennifer Dale, written by David Cronenberg, with music by Howard Shore.
April 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
One of the oddest collaborations of Toronto talent was Doug Henning’s first big production as a magician-showman: “Spellbound” (1973) at the Royal Alex, starring Henning, produced by Ivan Reitman, co-starring Jennifer Dale, written by David Cronenberg, with music by Howard Shore.
For a fleeting moment in 1791, York Township was named Dublin Township. This means that the Town of York might have become the Town of Dublin. And the town-folk in 1834 might have chosen to keep that name. So, Toronto might actually have become Dublin, Ontario. Imagine that.
April 5, 2025 at 10:22 PM
For a fleeting moment in 1791, York Township was named Dublin Township. This means that the Town of York might have become the Town of Dublin. And the town-folk in 1834 might have chosen to keep that name. So, Toronto might actually have become Dublin, Ontario. Imagine that.
Oak Hall was a Victorian men’s clothing chain store from Hamilton. The Toronto location (115-121 King E.) was right across from St. James Cathedral – a handy landmark. The demolished site is now Toronto Sculpture Garden, behind which is Oak Hall Lane. You can see St. James through its empty space.
April 4, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Oak Hall was a Victorian men’s clothing chain store from Hamilton. The Toronto location (115-121 King E.) was right across from St. James Cathedral – a handy landmark. The demolished site is now Toronto Sculpture Garden, behind which is Oak Hall Lane. You can see St. James through its empty space.
Reposted by Hogtown 101
Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children ("Sick Kids") is 150 years old. Many Torontonians don't know that before it was on University Ave it was in College St building below. Opened as the Victoria Hospital for Sick Children in 1891, designed by Darling & Curry. Now Cdn Blood Services.
April 4, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children ("Sick Kids") is 150 years old. Many Torontonians don't know that before it was on University Ave it was in College St building below. Opened as the Victoria Hospital for Sick Children in 1891, designed by Darling & Curry. Now Cdn Blood Services.
In the 1950s, an owner of Toronto Macaroni Co. asked his wife, Rose Viggiani, to develop a tomato sauce to accompany the pasta they’d been producing since the 1930s. The result, Bravo, featured a likeness of Rose, as seen in this display from 1967. Bravo was bought by General Mills that same year.
April 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
In the 1950s, an owner of Toronto Macaroni Co. asked his wife, Rose Viggiani, to develop a tomato sauce to accompany the pasta they’d been producing since the 1930s. The result, Bravo, featured a likeness of Rose, as seen in this display from 1967. Bravo was bought by General Mills that same year.
A view of Yonge Street (looking north) in 1874, south of King St., looking at the Yonge & King intersection. Just 40 years earlier, there was a creek running through this intersection.
April 2, 2025 at 9:17 PM
A view of Yonge Street (looking north) in 1874, south of King St., looking at the Yonge & King intersection. Just 40 years earlier, there was a creek running through this intersection.
In 1920, a Toronto traffic by-law demanded that pedestrians pass each other on the right on the sidewalk. Reportedly, no one was ever charged under this law, which was likely never enforced. In 1944, the province approved a revival of this law, but criticism and ridicule quickly buried it.
April 1, 2025 at 9:34 PM
In 1920, a Toronto traffic by-law demanded that pedestrians pass each other on the right on the sidewalk. Reportedly, no one was ever charged under this law, which was likely never enforced. In 1944, the province approved a revival of this law, but criticism and ridicule quickly buried it.
Canada Dry originated in Toronto in 1904. When Americans caught-on in 1922, import costs made it much more expensive than other pop. The premium price inspired its title the “Champagne of ginger ales,” which is why the former plant site in Toronto is now called Champagne Drive.
March 31, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Canada Dry originated in Toronto in 1904. When Americans caught-on in 1922, import costs made it much more expensive than other pop. The premium price inspired its title the “Champagne of ginger ales,” which is why the former plant site in Toronto is now called Champagne Drive.
Reposted by Hogtown 101
The Great Toronto Fire of 1904 city models built in the 1980s & 1990s by Dick Tatton were a hit among the visitors, illustrating the scope of the overall destruction.
March 27, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The Great Toronto Fire of 1904 city models built in the 1980s & 1990s by Dick Tatton were a hit among the visitors, illustrating the scope of the overall destruction.
Westminster Hotel (240 Jarvis St.) began in 1913 as a modern, fire-proof "private hotel." During its final years leading to 1981, its basement bar and music stage, called Midwich Cukcoo, hosted live performances by the likes of Rough Trade, Ian Thomas, The Good Bros. and Downchild Blues Band.
March 21, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Westminster Hotel (240 Jarvis St.) began in 1913 as a modern, fire-proof "private hotel." During its final years leading to 1981, its basement bar and music stage, called Midwich Cukcoo, hosted live performances by the likes of Rough Trade, Ian Thomas, The Good Bros. and Downchild Blues Band.
This is what the S.E. corner of Bloor & Spadina looked like in 1903. The building here is St. Margaret's College, a girls’ boarding school (est. 1897) whose property extended the block eastward to Huron St. By 1910, it was torn down and replaced with the current U of T building.
March 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
This is what the S.E. corner of Bloor & Spadina looked like in 1903. The building here is St. Margaret's College, a girls’ boarding school (est. 1897) whose property extended the block eastward to Huron St. By 1910, it was torn down and replaced with the current U of T building.
Reposted by Hogtown 101
Yonge Street as seen in the SCTV parody of Midnight Cowboy.
March 17, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Yonge Street as seen in the SCTV parody of Midnight Cowboy.