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.

Looking west from Don Mills Road over Highway 401 in 1965 & 2021.

I must mention Norman Lucas, one of GWL's sons, who had a big role in the story. He was wounded in WWI. It goes to show that the impact of the Great War was so prevalent that it factors into a seemingly unrelated research topic. A sobering thought for today. 18thbattalioncef.blog/soldiers-fou...

It was having an outing at Red Rocket when I saw this. Then it was down the rabbit hole. One that led to penning an article: scenesto.com/2025/11/11/t...

One century-old building. Three mysterious initials. Many remarkable stories. Explore the neat history of 1351-1367 Danforth Avenue! #TOheritage #Danforth #TorontoArchitecture https://scenesto.com/2025/11/11/the-mystery-on-danforth-avenue-who-was-g-w-l/

I share Patrick's great work every year. Please take a bit of time to peruse these maps as they really hit close to home with impact the wars had on the city. #LestWeForget

And the answer is.... (Duh?)

Historian and census aficionado friends: What does it mean when an entry is crossed out and noted "CANCELLED"?

And the answer is.....George William Lucas! He was a builder who purchased the land in 1921. Thank you to Mary on Instagram and Jeff Stewart for the information!

Does anyone have any info on this date marker: "C.W.L. 1922."? (Or maybe G.W.L?) Building is Danforth and Gillard Avenues. Google gives me the Catholic Women’s League as a possibility, but I haven't found any connection to the building.

An introductory thread for my new followers...

Today, I was able to see Scarborough Fire Hall #1, built 1925. Very neat building and history! Go Scarborough!

Well, Blue Jays, you got this non-fan to get caught up in the fandom. And I feel the heartbreak too.

I laughed.

Tonight's setup. Police Court and The Game. Let's go Blue Jays!

Aha, found the source of the surge! Really cool to be on this list of amazing people. Do follow them!

I've just had a bunch of recent followers, so welcome all! I post about Toronto history stuff. Beyond my favourite archival pic of Toronto courtesy the great TPL.

Oh, shame! Check out this account of a lively scrimmage between a servant and chamber-maid at the American Hotel from The Globe, August 25, 1856. The American stood at Yonge & Front. Globe & Mail Archives and Archives of Ontario

This weekend! I'll be there!

Gerrard St. East - from Chinatown east to the tracks - will be facing changes as the Ontario Line gets developed. Photographer Peter MacCallum captures its current state. spacing.ca/toronto/2025...

Harraghy, Hallachy, Harrachy....three different spellings of the SAME person in as many articles in The Globe in 1858. The perils of 19th century reporting.

Become a York Pioneer! At $30 a year, your membership will help support local history with the oldest historical society in Ontario and a storied and evolving institution in Toronto! (And ahem, one of the annual perks is coming up shortly...) Join today: bit.ly/3EYIg5d

Your homework before tonight's game: Google "Battle of Chavez Ravine"

A #FridayMystery. While looking at historical photos of #HighlandCreek. I spotted a cricket pitch that no longer exists in L'Amoreaux Park. 1st appearing in 1969 while the area was partially farm land. All searches either lead to current or 1880s results, not 1970s www.google.ca/maps/place/L...

This morning 👌

My favourite map of Toronto is the 1857 Fleming Ridout & Schreiber Plan of the City of Toronto. And it's because the detail is so great. Take this little section that gives a layout of St. Lawrence Hall & Market and City Hall. Also the cab stand at Church and King!

A very fine evening of celebrating Toronto heritage! #HTAwards2025

1. On this day 71 years ago, Toronto woke to discover the city had been devastated by a terrible hurricane. Here's my annual thread about the horrors unleashed by Hurricane Hazel...

A Brief History of Let’s Bring Back The Good Old Days 🧵

Fairfield House & Park, Amherstview.

On this day in 1929, Raymond Moriyama was born in Vancouver. One of Canada's most acclaimed architects, his buildings include the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, the Ontario Science Centre, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Canadian War Museum. He died in 2023.

Northern Lake Lawren Harris 1923

Ooof. In my childhood neighbourhood no less.

What is a zoo in Toronto’s eyes? Is it an animal sanctuary? A field trip factory? On this episode of Muddy York, we'll look at the history of the high-minded, chaotically managed mega-zoo that we know today as well as the Riverdale Zoo that came before it. open.spotify.com/episode/5dfH...

Well, this is one of the odder police reports I've come across: A girl of 12 years(!) charged with larceny! (The Globe, June 16, 1857)

Just finished (finally!) The Massey Murder by Charlotte Gray. Started it on print (a few times) and then finished it on audiobook. A compelling tale of a century-ago murder trial and a Toronto society at war.

Tonight's activity is pre-season hockey and 1850s Toronto police reports. (Yes, not a baseball guy, but Go Jays nonetheless!)

OK, what was this event at Old City Hall last night? Looked so cool!

For those looking to get into the 'spirit'....

South entrance of the Armouries, University Ave., Toronto, a photo taken 100 years ago today - Oct. 3, 1925. This is one of the “10 Toronto buildings that shouldn’t have been demolished” we talked about on Episode 1468 of the Toronto Mike'd Podcast 🎙️Listen here: www.torontomike.com/2024/04/10-t...

Came across this cool image of the Eaton's complex from 1919. Super neat. Those factories really stood out.

You also just remembered United States of Whatever, right? youtu.be/Xz7_3n7xyDg?...

1931 | 2018 125 Banff Road Mount Pleasant East (Toronto)

This evening's Yorkville glow.

Yesterday's views before and after watching the home team. Erm, the one on ice.

A new walking tour! Explore the seedy underbelly of Victorian Toronto with stories of crooks, con artists & thieves. Happening this upcoming Saturday!

The DVP rainbow has been defaced again.

St. John's Ward was Toronto's immigrant enclave. Want to know how true that was? In 1856, there were 973 "coloured persons" in Toronto. 573 were in The Ward.

On this date in 1893, the cornerstone of Massey Hall was laid by six-year-old Vincent Massey, the grandson of Hart Massey who would finance the construction. In 1952, an older Vincent Massey would become the first Canadian-born Governor-General.

Let's hear about some quirky Toronto! I'll start with the cannon at Fort York pointed at the Gardiner, whose path at one time would have trampled the site. (Pic is from a visit checking out some VR stuff...yeesh, 10 years ago?!)