Muddy York
@muddyyork.bsky.social
Toronto's #1 History Podcast.
Our latest episode is about the Royal Ontario Museum or the ROM as it's known to any self-respecting Torontonian.
Our latest episode is about the Royal Ontario Museum or the ROM as it's known to any self-respecting Torontonian.
The poles were then cut into segments for transport by rail. Because the building wasn’t ready upon their arrival in Toronto, they were soaked in petroleum and covered in floor wax before being wrapped in burlap and padding to protect them from the elements.
November 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The poles were then cut into segments for transport by rail. Because the building wasn’t ready upon their arrival in Toronto, they were soaked in petroleum and covered in floor wax before being wrapped in burlap and padding to protect them from the elements.
All of the excavation work was done by pick and shovel, and men worked shortened shifts to maximize the number of workers. This is the part of the building that sits right at the corner of Bloor and Queen’s Park. It cost $1.8 million and opened on October 12, 1933.
November 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
All of the excavation work was done by pick and shovel, and men worked shortened shifts to maximize the number of workers. This is the part of the building that sits right at the corner of Bloor and Queen’s Park. It cost $1.8 million and opened on October 12, 1933.
Eventually the Board of Trustees gave in and hired her because she was doing the job anyways. She would lead tours for three days a week, including a special tour for children on Saturdays. Margaret McLean would be the first in a long line of volunteer tour guides at the ROM.
November 19, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Eventually the Board of Trustees gave in and hired her because she was doing the job anyways. She would lead tours for three days a week, including a special tour for children on Saturdays. Margaret McLean would be the first in a long line of volunteer tour guides at the ROM.
The ROM first opened in 1914 as a joint project of the province and U of T. The original museum only included the western half of the building that we know today. You can see some of its earliest artifacts below.
November 19, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The ROM first opened in 1914 as a joint project of the province and U of T. The original museum only included the western half of the building that we know today. You can see some of its earliest artifacts below.
On this date in 1917, the Toronto-Hamilton Highway was officially opened. Today, it's known as Highway 2.
November 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
On this date in 1917, the Toronto-Hamilton Highway was officially opened. Today, it's known as Highway 2.
On this date in 1915, a new official residence for the Lt. Governor called Chorley Park was officially opened in Rosedale. It would be demolished in 1961 and replaced by a park of the same name.
November 15, 2025 at 3:08 PM
On this date in 1915, a new official residence for the Lt. Governor called Chorley Park was officially opened in Rosedale. It would be demolished in 1961 and replaced by a park of the same name.
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
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.
On this date in 1840, Her Majesty's Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory at Toronto went into operation. It was located on the U of T grounds near the site of Convocation Hall and was part of a project to figure out why compasses wander from north. The sun was the culprit.
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
On this date in 1840, Her Majesty's Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory at Toronto went into operation. It was located on the U of T grounds near the site of Convocation Hall and was part of a project to figure out why compasses wander from north. The sun was the culprit.
On this date in 1980, Art Eggleton was elected Mayor of Toronto. He would hold the position until 1991 become the longest-serving mayor in Toronto history.
November 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
On this date in 1980, Art Eggleton was elected Mayor of Toronto. He would hold the position until 1991 become the longest-serving mayor in Toronto history.
On this date in 1789, Govenor-General Lord Dorchester created the Nobel Order of Unity of the Empire. The United Empire Loyalists would be central to Toronto's early identity.
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
On this date in 1789, Govenor-General Lord Dorchester created the Nobel Order of Unity of the Empire. The United Empire Loyalists would be central to Toronto's early identity.
In 1967, CBC did a very CBC thing and cancelled Butternut Square at the height of its popularity. The public backlash forced CBC to backtrack and they agreed to produce a smaller show that would focus on a handful of characters. This was of course Mr. Dressup.
November 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
In 1967, CBC did a very CBC thing and cancelled Butternut Square at the height of its popularity. The public backlash forced CBC to backtrack and they agreed to produce a smaller show that would focus on a handful of characters. This was of course Mr. Dressup.
Butternut Square was set in a village square with five human cast members and a host of different puppets. Of course, the most famous characters on the show would be Mr. Dressup, Casey and Finnegan.
November 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Butternut Square was set in a village square with five human cast members and a host of different puppets. Of course, the most famous characters on the show would be Mr. Dressup, Casey and Finnegan.
After Mr. Rogers decided to return to Pittsburgh, he suggested that one of his puppeteers could be part of a replacement program - his name was Ernie Coombs.
November 6, 2025 at 11:51 AM
After Mr. Rogers decided to return to Pittsburgh, he suggested that one of his puppeteers could be part of a replacement program - his name was Ernie Coombs.
It's a little-known fact that Fred Rogers began his TV hosting career on CBC. From 1962-64, Misterogers would launch many of the ideas that became famous on his PBS show.
November 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
It's a little-known fact that Fred Rogers began his TV hosting career on CBC. From 1962-64, Misterogers would launch many of the ideas that became famous on his PBS show.
For 26 years starting in 1958, Canadian children were told to "Look up, waaaaay up". Unlike other kids shows that were loud and raucous, the Friendly Giant was relaxed and focused on reading books or playing music. Episodes would be improvised based on a one page outline.
November 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
For 26 years starting in 1958, Canadian children were told to "Look up, waaaaay up". Unlike other kids shows that were loud and raucous, the Friendly Giant was relaxed and focused on reading books or playing music. Episodes would be improvised based on a one page outline.
Chichimus was the first thing ever broadcast on CBC television. He was part of a 15-minute preview show called Let's See that would highlight each evening's programs. He became so popular that he got his own show - Uncle Chichimus, featuring his niece Hollyhock.
November 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Chichimus was the first thing ever broadcast on CBC television. He was part of a 15-minute preview show called Let's See that would highlight each evening's programs. He became so popular that he got his own show - Uncle Chichimus, featuring his niece Hollyhock.
On this date in 1842, William McMurrich was born. As Mayor of Toronto in 1881, he would intervene when a group of Black musicians were denied rooms at the American Hotel. He and some others offered their own homes and the resulting bad publicity forced the hotel to back down.
November 1, 2025 at 2:34 PM
On this date in 1842, William McMurrich was born. As Mayor of Toronto in 1881, he would intervene when a group of Black musicians were denied rooms at the American Hotel. He and some others offered their own homes and the resulting bad publicity forced the hotel to back down.
On this date in 1950, comedy icon and future Argos owner John Candy was born.
October 31, 2025 at 3:37 PM
On this date in 1950, comedy icon and future Argos owner John Candy was born.
On this date in 1938, Professor Morse of Toronto's MacMillan University reported observing a total of three explosions on the planet Mars, between the hours of 7:45 pm and 9:20 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
October 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM
On this date in 1938, Professor Morse of Toronto's MacMillan University reported observing a total of three explosions on the planet Mars, between the hours of 7:45 pm and 9:20 pm, Eastern Standard Time.
On this date in 1971, the tugboat Ned Hanlan was moved to the Marine Museum of Upper Canada on the Exhibition Grounds. It was originally built in 1932 and retired from service in 1967.
October 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM
On this date in 1971, the tugboat Ned Hanlan was moved to the Marine Museum of Upper Canada on the Exhibition Grounds. It was originally built in 1932 and retired from service in 1967.
On this date in 1968, the McLaughlin Planetarium was opened to the public.
October 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
On this date in 1968, the McLaughlin Planetarium was opened to the public.
On this date in 1966, Three Way Piece No.2: Archer was unveiled at Nathan Phillips Square. A second bronze cast can be found outside the National Gallery in Berlin.
October 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
On this date in 1966, Three Way Piece No.2: Archer was unveiled at Nathan Phillips Square. A second bronze cast can be found outside the National Gallery in Berlin.
On this date in 1963, The Colonnade building on Bloor was officially opened by Mayor Donald Summerville.
October 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
On this date in 1963, The Colonnade building on Bloor was officially opened by Mayor Donald Summerville.
In 1904, Kit and 15 other female journalists were travelling to St. Louis to attend the World’s Fair. En route, the group decided to form the Canadian Women’s Press Club to provide a professional network for women in journalism. Kit was elected as the club’s first president.
October 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
In 1904, Kit and 15 other female journalists were travelling to St. Louis to attend the World’s Fair. En route, the group decided to form the Canadian Women’s Press Club to provide a professional network for women in journalism. Kit was elected as the club’s first president.
Kit reached the peak of her fame in 1898 when she became one of the first accredited female war correspondents during the Spanish-American War. In Tampa, where the army was assembling, she scooped her colleagues by reporting on a secret arms shipment to Cuban rebels.
October 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Kit reached the peak of her fame in 1898 when she became one of the first accredited female war correspondents during the Spanish-American War. In Tampa, where the army was assembling, she scooped her colleagues by reporting on a secret arms shipment to Cuban rebels.