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torontoarchives.cityof.toronto.ca
Toronto Archives
@torontoarchives.cityof.toronto.ca
We maintain & make accessible records of enduring value that give evidence of decisions, policies & activities of the City of Toronto.

www.toronto.ca/archives
Looking across Riverdale Park on this day in 1923.
February 10, 2026 at 5:50 PM
On this day in 1977, the Toronto Eaton Centre opened! Designed by Zeidler Partnership and Bregman and Hamann, the huge light-filled complex opened in multiple stages, with phase 2 extending the mall to Queen Street a couple of years later.

From the Harvey R. Naylor fonds: https://ow.ly/ocv050YarBU
February 10, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Cecil Smith at the Toronto Skating Club, 1931.

In 1924, at the age of 15, Cecil became the first Canadian female ever to participate at the Olympic Winter Games. In 1930, she became the first Canadian to win a World championship figure skating medal, bringing home silver.
https://ow.ly/yBJH50Y8Xae
February 9, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Did you know there used to be two roundhouses between Spadina Ave and York St?

The 1927 Spadina Roundhouse was in operation until the 1980’s when it was demolished for the construction of SkyDome. Learn more at the Archives’ exhibit “Under the Wrecking Ball: Shaping Toronto’s Downtown 1960-1989".
February 9, 2026 at 1:50 PM
No matter how you groove, we're wishing you a terrific weekend.
Avard Woolaver took this photo in 1986 at a shoot for a music video for the song "Just Like You."
https://ow.ly/nMnO50XYajz
February 6, 2026 at 5:50 PM
A view of Queen Street East at Parliament, looking east, on this day in 1981.

From the Harvey R. Naylor fonds: https://ow.ly/FNhC50Y8gZb

Fonds 1526, File 75, Item 19
February 6, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Spreading cinders on Scarborough Road in Toronto's east end #OnThisDay in 1936. This was done to improve traction on the sloping road.
https://ow.ly/TZh450Y6yCA
February 5, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Testing of the corrosiveness of road salt! These tests were performed on snow by the Metro Roads Department at a site on Lakeshore Road in February 1961.
https://ow.ly/U2aG50Y6tek
February 5, 2026 at 1:50 PM
In 1966, Council floated a plan to demolish all of Old City Hall except the bell tower, and replace it with this building.
https://ow.ly/juLW50Y1qmN
February 4, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Fifty years ago looking north across the Toronto inner harbour to the downtown.

https://ow.ly/Rqyc50Y1o5J
February 3, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Vibrant winter scenes around the High Park rink in 1954, from the Desmond E. Wainwright fonds.
https://ow.ly/gXKB50Y6A1i
February 3, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The bandshell at the CNE was constructed in 1936. This photo from 90 years ago appears to show the early part of that construction.
https://ow.ly/2in550Y6zXN

February 2, 2026 at 5:50 PM
We're looking forward to the Canada Black Music Archives event this coming Thursday evening here at the Archives, starting at 5!
The lineup of artists will include Jully Black, seen here at the Cavalcade of Lights in 2004.
February 2, 2026 at 1:50 PM
A snapshot of the Niagara and Fort York neighbourhoods when they were surrounded by industry only a few decades ago in the early 90s. Visible landmarks include the coffin factory, malting silos, Molson brewery, Tip Top Tailors, and the former municipal abattoir.

https://ow.ly/Gk6x50Y1Zr1
January 30, 2026 at 5:50 PM
The Canadian government created Civil Defence Canada in 1948 to help Canadians prepare for disaster or war. This pamphlet from 1959 advises Canadians about what supplies they should put in their emergency shelter or their car.
https://ow.ly/kiIw50Y1XeL
January 30, 2026 at 1:50 PM
That's great, thank you! The date range on this particular record is broadly noted as "between 1950 and 1969".
January 29, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Looking south on a snowy January day over the intersection of Danforth and Broadview Avenues ca. late 1950s.

https://ow.ly/bJVg50Y1KSp

January 29, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Studying Etobicoke's past? Join the Archives and other community partners this evening at Councillor Crisanti's Etobicoke North Historical Night!

Thursday January 29, 5-7pm
Thistletown Community Centre, 925 Albion Road.
January 29, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Big congratulations to Toronto's 33 new Primary Care Paramedics, who graduated last week! This vintage ambulance was on display at the Toronto EMS graduation ceremony in 2003.
https://ow.ly/fRCH50Y3XJ7
January 28, 2026 at 5:50 PM
We're on the road to Thistletown! The Archives will be joining Councillor Crisanti's Etobicoke North Historical Night tomorrow. Hope to see you there!

Thursday January 29
5-7pm
Thistletown Community Centre, 925 Albion Road
January 28, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The TMU Library building, formerly Ryerson Polytechnical Institute Library Resource Centre, under construction on this day in 1972. The building, designed by Webb Zerafa Menkes Housden Partnership (WZMP), opened at the corner of Gould and Victoria in 1974.
January 27, 2026 at 5:50 PM
January, 1976: The Convincer comes to the Scarborough Civic Centre. This device was designed to let members of the public experience a lower-impact head-on collision, in the hope that some mild whiplash would convince them to always wear a seatbelt in the car.
https://ow.ly/icfj50Y0TYE
January 27, 2026 at 1:50 PM
German prisoners at the CNE grounds during the First World War. This photo is currently part of a pop-up exhibit at Fort York called Echoes of Home.
https://ow.ly/Sj0R50XZM0w
January 26, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Good morning! The Research Hall of the Archives will be closed today because of the snow conditions. However, the building's atrium is open if you would like to come in, warm up, and use the free wifi.
January 26, 2026 at 2:40 PM
A vastly different view looking south-west over Wellington St West towards the Inglis industrial lands around Strachan Avenue in the late 1980s. Visible landmarks include the long-standing Inglis billboard by the Gardiner, the Coliseum, and the former Exhibition Stadium.

https://ow.ly/T0Jg50Y1oj0
January 26, 2026 at 1:50 PM