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Heritage Toronto Mondays

"The islands were originally a 9 km peninsula or sand spit extending from the mainland. The islands are composed of alluvial deposits from the erosion of the Scarborough Bluffs. The flow from the Niagara River to the south across Lake Ontario causes a counter-clockwise east-to-west current which has, over time, deposited sediments at the south end of the harbour to form a sand spit." J T

Had the peninsula been washed away 50 years earlier, giving the American invaders access to the town from both directions, the Warof 1812 might have proceeded differently, with a different outcome.
 
This is a reply to both David & Urban Shocker in that given the Americans might have captured Toronto, - then known as York,

the White House would have not been torched by the British in retaliation for the burning of Toronto (York) and the White House

would not have been painted white to cover the burn marks on same!

Kind regards to our American friend(s),
J T


Lincoln Continentals, CAMEL Straights, & Coca-Cola! I love it!
 
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UrbanToronto has partnered with Heritage Toronto to capture a moment in Toronto's past. On a weekly basis, we will both be highlighting a historic photo of the city's people, places and events, and will be telling the stories behind them.

Many thanks to both Gary Switzer of MOD Developements and Maya Bilbao for putting together the photos and research.

This week's photo:
oldmill1899.jpg


The Old Mill

Seen in this 1899 photo are the remains of a flour mill that is now among Ontario's most significant heritage sites.

The first mill on this site was known as the King's Mill. It was Toronto's first industrial building, built in 1793 on order of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe on the bank of the Humber River. A new mill was constructed near that site in the late 1840's by well known architect and engineer William Tyrell, for William Gamble, the first reeve of Etobicoke. This mill came to be known as “Gamble's Mill”. It was decimated by fire only forty years later, in 1881. The ruins were designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1983.

In 1914, The Old Mill Tea Restaurant was opened by Robert Home Smith, the developer of the Kingsway nieghbourhood. It fast became a noted spot among Toronto residents for entertainment and repose. The Mill transformed over the years including a massive restoration and reconstruction. The Old Mill Inn & Spa reopened in 2001 with 60 new rooms and suites. Incorporated into the design are the ruins of “Gamble's Mill.”

Gamble's Mill continues to be great importance to residents of the Kingsway neighbourhood, visitors to the Humber River, archaeologists, historians, and anyone interested in the history and development of Toronto.


Sources:

http://www.oldmilltoronto.com/about/history
http://www.alanbrown.com/TorontoHistory/Pages_MNO/Old_Mill.html
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-25680.pdf



HeritageToronto-Logo-Col-547.jpg
 
UrbanToronto has partnered with Heritage Toronto to capture a moment in Toronto's past. On a weekly basis, we will both be highlighting a historic photo of the city's people, places and events, and will be telling the stories behind them.

Many thanks to both Gary Switzer of MOD Developements and Maya Bilbao for putting together the photos and research.

This week's photo:
armouries.jpg


The Armouries

For some, the name, “The Armouries” immediately conjures up images of a majestic building on University Avenue.

The Armouries long since demolished, were built between 1891 to 1893 by architect Thomas Fuller to house the local militia regiments and host trade shows and social engagements. Initiated by the federal Department of Public Works, it was one of several across Canada that were built in the 1880s and 1890's. For a time, they were the largest buildings of their kind in North America, and certainly in Canada, located north of Queen Street on the east side of University Avenue. The architect designed the Armouries in the Romanesque style using red brick and fine Kingston limestone to echo the solidity and power of the militia. To some, it had the look and feel of a castle!

Inside could be found a massive drill hall, bowling alleys, and rifle ranges. The Armouries were used during the Boer War, and the First and Second World Wars. In 1963 they were demolished in response to need for space to accommodate the provincial courts at Osgoode Hall.

The Armouries is remembered by the naming of Armoury Street that runs near the site. To some, the Armouries was among the greatest buildings of 19th century Toronto.

Sources:

Lost Toronto, p. 139
http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/image-519-eng.asp?page_id=557
http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/image-519-eng.asp?page_id=557



HeritageToronto-Logo-Col-547.jpg
 
UrbanToronto has partnered with Heritage Toronto to capture a moment in Toronto's past. On a weekly basis, we will both be highlighting a historic photo of the city's people, places and events, and will be telling the stories behind them.

Many thanks to both Gary Switzer of MOD Developements and Maya Bilbao for putting together the photos and research.

This week's photo:
armouries.jpg


The Armouries

For some, the name, “The Armouries†immediately conjures up images of a majestic building on University Avenue.

The Armouries long since demolished, were built between 1891 to 1893 by architect Thomas Fuller to house the local militia regiments and host trade shows and social engagements. Initiated by the federal Department of Public Works, it was one of several across Canada that were built in the 1880s and 1890's. For a time, they were the largest buildings of their kind in North America, and certainly in Canada, located north of Queen Street on the east side of University Avenue. The architect designed the Armouries in the Romanesque style using red brick and fine Kingston limestone to echo the solidity and power of the militia. To some, it had the look and feel of a castle!

Inside could be found a massive drill hall, bowling alleys, and rifle ranges. The Armouries were used during the Boer War, and the First and Second World Wars. In 1963 they were demolished in response to need for space to accommodate the provincial courts at Osgoode Hall.

The Armouries is remembered by the naming of Armoury Street that runs near the site. To some, the Armouries was among the greatest buildings of 19th century Toronto.

Sources:

Lost Toronto, p. 139
http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/image-519-eng.asp?page_id=557
http://www.cmhg.gc.ca/cmh/image-519-eng.asp?page_id=557



HeritageToronto-Logo-Col-547.jpg
 
UrbanToronto has partnered with Heritage Toronto to capture a moment in Toronto's past. On a weekly basis, we will both be highlighting a historic photo of the city's people, places and events, and will be telling the stories behind them.

Many thanks to both Gary Switzer of MOD Developements and Maya Bilbao for putting together the photos and research.

This week's photo:
BordensAudience.jpg


Borden's Audience

In this photo dating 1914, onlookers can be seen listening to Prime Minister, Sir Robert Laird Borden speak in Queen's Park. He spoke about affairs concerning the First World War.

Born in Nova Scotia in 1854, Borden articled at a Halifax law firm and later partnered with Charles H. Tupper, son of Sir Charles Tupper, Canada's sixth Prime Minister. Borden soon became involved in the world of politics through the Tupper family and by 1896 was elected to the House of Commons. Formerly a Liberal, Borden became leader of the Conservatives in 1901 and helped to rebuild the Conservative Party. Borden became the eighth Prime Minister of Canada in 1911, a term that lasted until 1920.

Borden was known for strong leadership during the First World War that broke out in 1914. His government was responsible for implementing numerous policies that have since been heavily researched. These included the Emergency War Measures Act and the collection of direct income tax that Canadians were told was only to be a temporary measure. His government also implemented the Wartime Business Profits Tax.

Following his duty as Prime Minister, Borden was a noted international statesman and proponent of the League of Nations. He also held the chancellorship at Queen's University.
A statue of Borden is located at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.


Sources:

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/primeministers/h4-3206-e.html
http://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/History/people/borden.html
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=a1ARTA0000885
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/schools/index.asp?schno=4160



HeritageToronto-Logo-Col-547.jpg
 
Any Riverdale Collegiate alumni out there?

Learn a bit about the history of the school in today's Heritage Toronto Mondays. Click here to see photo and story: http://bit.ly/im2L1C
 
In today's Heritage Toronto Mondays UrbanToronto spotlights Prime Minister Bennett in the early 1930s.

See a photo of him and a few other characters here: http://bit.ly/l2qfHT
 
"Bennett’s notable achievements as Prime Minister included the establishment of .... , the Canadian Wheat Board, and the Canadian Broadcasting Commission."
QUOTE Heritage Toronto.


IMHO, the CWB & the CBC's establishment were of dubious "achievement".

Regards,
J T
 
"The CBC would become an icon of Canadian culture." QUOTE junctionist.


I recall when as a child, Byng Whittiker saying "SKOOOOOT!", reminding we kids to return to school after having lunch.

Other than the above, what we have "left" is . . .

(Not going to go there on this forum.)


Regaeds,
J T
 

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