Jane MacNamara
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wherethestory.bsky.social
Jane MacNamara
@wherethestory.bsky.social
150 followers 210 following 70 posts
Family and local history researcher, teacher, author, Toronto. Trying hard to make planet-friendly decisions. https://wherethestorytakesme.ca
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wherethestory.bsky.social
The two Ontario land record courses this fall organized by @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social are filling fast. Both Sept and Nov series are at about 2/3 capacity. Jump in quick if you want a spot!
torontofamilyhistory.org/learn-about-...
Watercolour painting of the farm house and outbuildings of land surveyor Edward Miles, Weston Road, York. Toronto Public Library, Baldwin Collection of Canadiana, via Digital Archive Ontario. Public domain.
August 20, 2025 at 12:36 AM
wherethestory.bsky.social
If you missed the 2025 Toronto History Lecture on Tuesday (or just want to see it again) you're in luck. @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social recorded the lecture and it is available to view until August 14: torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
Night shot of red and yellow streetcar speeding along Dundas Street.
August 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
wherethestory.bsky.social
"Toronto's Changing Street Names" with Wayne Reeves.
This Thursday 7:00 pm at TRL
www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?E...
Two men fastening street signs to a pole already cluttered with traffic lights and a no-left-turn sign. The signs are for Bay St and Queen St W.
August 6, 2025 at 2:06 AM
wherethestory.bsky.social
Each summer @tofamilyhistory.bsky.social holds a very special event to remember a friend. The 2025 Toronto History Lecture is Tues Aug 5 at 7:00 on Zoom. @briandoucet.bsky.social & Michael Doucet present Toronto's Streetcars: How the past shapes the present
torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toront...
Toronto History Lecturers on the Bathurst streetcar with the metal superstructure of a bridge in the background
July 30, 2025 at 9:50 PM
wherethestory.bsky.social
In the summer of 1903, Toronto had a party—a four-day blowout over the Dominion Day holiday—July 1 to 4. More than 4,000 former Torontonians were invited to the Toronto Home Comers' Festival. I wrote a thing.
wherethestorytakesme.ca/home-comers-...
Front page of the special Home Comers issue of the Globe newspaper published on 4 July 1903. Images include Toronto City Hall, the Ontario Legislature, and skyline with sailboats racing on the Bay in the foreground.
June 29, 2025 at 12:46 AM
wherethestory.bsky.social
As reported in the Globe on Feb 28 1860, city council was asked again to approve what looks to me as the same expenditure. Things got heated.
Russian guns. Council in committee of the whole on a report of the walks and gardens committee asking $150 in addition to $500 already appropriated, to erect pedestals for the Russian guns, Ald Moodie opposed the appropriation. He thought it a pity that the Queen didn't keep the cannons in "Roosha" unless she had sent money enough to place them up on a big high monument where folks can see them. They were no good at all, because they were spiked and could not be used if they was wanted for an enemy. Coun Baxter and Ald Sherwood rebuked alderman Moodie for his want of loyalty Coun Pell said that last year when tenders were advertised for, only one was received. It was probable that if they were again asked, that tenders within $500 would be made. As the season last year when the advertisements were put forward was far advanced, two large stones which were required could not be conveniently procured. Hence the absence of more tenders. He understood that the engineer was preparing a modified plan, but as the meeting of the committee were called at 4 o'clock in the afternoon he was unable to attend-a matter he deeply regretted-and consequently did not know whether the plan had been submitted or whether it had received the sanction of the committee. Coun. Taylor said the money it was proposed to appropriate belonged to the walks and gardens fund to which the people had not contributed. Coun Taylor was exceedingly surprised at Moodie's want of loyalty. He little expected that a thorough blue jacketed tar, and a man who had been at the battle of Prescott would have uttered such sentiment. Coun Ardagh moved an amendment that new tenders be advertised for. Coun Baxter and chairman of the committee had pledged himself to advertise for new tenders, The amendment was withdrawn and the report carried.
November 24, 2024 at 10:28 PM
wherethestory.bsky.social
On October 18 1859, city council approved funds (and additional funds) for pedestals for their "Russian Guns". But there decision seems to have been forgotten or dismissed over the next few months…
Russian guns in the University Park. The council went into committee of the whole on the 15th report of the committee on walks and gardens. Ald O'Donohoe in the chair. The committee reported that a tender had been received from Messrs Worthington bros for the erection of pedestals for the Russian guns in the University Park amounting to $625 but this amount exceeds that voted by the council, viz. $500. They recommended that the balance of $125 be granted for that purpose. Carried.
November 24, 2024 at 10:01 PM
wherethestory.bsky.social
That was on June 2. The next day, June 3 1859, there was music.
The band of the Royal Canadian Rifles performed in the university grounds yesterday afternoon.There were a very large number of well dressed ladies and gentlemen promenading in the park who together with the occupants of numerous carriages appeared to enjoy the musical treat which was provided for their delectation. The weather was all that could be desired. The Russian guns which are place near where the band were stationed were objects of attraction to many. The following is the program of pieces performed by the band yesterday. It is almost needless to say that they were executed in excellent style.
November 24, 2024 at 9:43 PM
wherethestory.bsky.social
Took a few days, but the Royal Canadian Rifles managed to haul them to the University grounds.
The Russian Guns: Yesterday afternoon a number of the Royal Canadian Rifles were busily engaged loading the Russian Guns, lately presented to the city on wagons belonging to Messrs Shedden & Co., preparatory to their being conveyed to their destination in the University grounds. At seven o'clock, the two wagons, each drawn by 6 powerful horses, left the Custom House wharf and proceeded along Front Street up West Market Square to King Street. At the corner of Church and King Streets, the York Field Battery, under the command of Lieut Patterson joined in procession and formed escort. A large crowd followed the guns to the University Park. The guns are to be placed in the vicinity of the Branch Lunatic Asylum. Only one of the guns was unloaded, owing to darkness coming on. The other will be unloaded this forenoon, and the guns put in the place destined for them.
November 24, 2024 at 9:23 PM
wherethestory.bsky.social
Although we haven't had a hard frost yet and the geraniums are still blooming in Toronto, I know winter (of sorts) will arrive. I planted snowdrops yesterday, because I also know that they will delight me when I really need it. Also can't wait for Suzanna's snowdrops: @suzannacrampton.bsky.social
White snowdrop flowers and green leaves poking through dry winter leaves and twigs
November 17, 2024 at 1:53 AM