This week’s episode is about the Small-White Duel in which the Attorney General of Upper Canada was shot and killed over a matter of honour, and because his wife couldn’t get along with someone else. Learn more from Muddy York, Toronto's #1 history podcast. spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/uC8vwVP6HZb

View of Dundas Square on the east side of Yonge Street, south of Dundas Street, Toronto, Jan 5, 1975. #OnThisDay #1970s #torontohistory #toronto #jeremyhopkin

On this date in 1892, a referendum was held on whether to allow streetcars to run on Sundays. It was defeated by a vote of 14,287 to 10,351.

The first edition of the Toronto History Curiosities Substack is up! 🎉 I’m ringing in the New Year with a look back at 2025, plus Goad’s Atlases, 19th Century snow clearing offenders, Lost Streets, and a review of The Gaol Carpenter’s Diary! 📖 open.substack.com/pub/bobgeorg...

On this date in 1815, John Paul Radelmüller was killed at Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. He was Toronto’s first lighthouse keeper and his ghost is said to haunt the area to this day.

On this date in 1924, East York was officially incorporated as a township with a population of 19,849.

In 2025, I started a blog exploring the history Brockton Village, my neighbourhood. Wrote 17 posts and made 13 maps! A collection of the maps I'm most proud of and more here ▶️ brockton-history.ca/maps/

On this date in 1980, Marshall McLuhan died at his home in Wychwood Park. The long-time professor at U of T became famous for his writing about media and his aphorism that “the medium is the message”.

Skaters on Don River, looking south from Riverdale Park, 1910. https://ow.ly/qpz250XL8JJ

On this date in 1824, the Upper Canada Parliament Buildings were destroyed by fire. Located near Parliament and Front Streets, these were the second parliament buildings; the Americans destroyed the first ones in 1813.

On this date in 1911, the Civic Improvement Committee report was released, presenting its plan to address the city's traffic problems. Two of its proposals would eventually be carried out: the Bloor Street Viaduct and the extension of Church Street to connect with Davenport.

90 years ago today: Tobogganing at Riverdale Park & Withrow Park, Toronto - Dec. 27, 1935 #1930s #winter #parksandrec #torontohistory #jeremyhopkin

On this date in 1847, Elizabeth McMaster was born. She would lead the campaign to establish the Hospital for Sick Children.

On this date in 1798, an auction sale was held at Miles Tavern for 228 acres of land on the east bank of the Humber north of Bloor. The land was bought by Peter Whitney for £64.

On this date in 1865, the bells in the tower of St. James Cathedral were rung for the first time, although the tower would be completed until 1874.

"The Traffic Puzzle Santa brought - Christmas 1935" A look at downtown 90 years ago during Christmas. Including scenes of Yonge Street, Bay Street, and Yonge Street at Dundas Street. https://ow.ly/ulZM50XKZB4

On this date in 1837, John Howard and his wife moved into their new home, Colborne Lodge. The building was name for Howard's patron - Sir John Colborne, Lt. Governor of Upper Canada. You can visit this historic building at High Park.

On this date in 1989, The Simpsons first appeared on Toronto TV with the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire."

In 1984, with the Leafs in a major slump, the Toronto Star ran a Cruel Maple Leafs joke contest to win tickets to a game. I think my favourite entry was "I don't want to enter the joke contest because I'm afraid I might win the tickets."

BONUS EPISODE A Christmas Story has become a bona-fide holiday classic. However, most viewers probably don’t realize that much of the film was made in Toronto, so we decided to make a bonus episode about the locations where different film scenes were shot. spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/m5FtdlGzhZb

On this date in 1914 the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church on St. Clair Avenue West was officially dedicated.

On this date in 1846, the first telegraph message transmitted in Canada was sent from Toronto to Hamilton. We don't have the full text of the messages, but part of the exchange included Hamilton asking "Who is in the office?"

On this date in 1877, Joseph Lee purchased two telephones to communicate between his drugstores at 212 Queen St. East and 339 King St. East. He bought the phones from Alexander Graham Bell's father to whom the inventor had given the Canadian rights for his invention.

Leo Chan joins us to talk about the history of Chinese restaurants in Toronto - from Sing Tom's Cafe (founded in 1901) to the Big Four to the vast diversity of Chinese regional cuisines. It's the holiday season, so order some Chinese food with Muddy York. spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/3k5GFg8i9Yb

Looking north on Yonge Street from a ship just south of The Esplanade in Toronto, 99 years ago today - Dec. 15, 1926 📸: Toronto Public Library #otd #OnThisDay #1920s #skyline #city #torontohistory #yongestreet #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin

On this date in 1912, the town of North Toronto became a part of the city of Toronto. North Toronto agreed to annexation in exchange for a promise to extend Toronto streetcar routes. However, it took ten years for the city to follow through on this commitment.

On this date in 1836, Anna Jameson, writer and wife of the Attorney-General of Upper Canada, arrived in Toronto. She was less than impressed: "A little ill-built town on low land, at the bottom of a frozen bay, with one very ugly church, without temple or steeple ...

Aftermath of a fire that destroyed the stables of Lake Simcoe Ice Co., Florence Street, Toronto, Dec. 12, 1922. Sadly, fourteen horses perished in the blaze. #Fire #stables #icecompany #OnThisDay #OTD #1920s #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin

On this date in 1904, Toronto' first escalator was installed at the Eaton's store on Yonge Street. Timothy Eaton put mannequins on the "new-fangled" machine to convince shoppers that it was safe.

On this date in 1862, Victoria Skating Rink opened at the corner of Sherbourne and Gerrard, next to Allan Gardens. Patrons were advised that "a matron is on duty to help women and children with their skates."

On this date in 1969, Jimi Hendrix was acquitted by a Toronto jury after a three-day trial for drug possession.

"Toronto's Most Scandalous: Celebrity Headlines" — this Friday at noon! It's the last talk in my free online lunchtime lecture series for the Toronto Public Library. Learn more & register for free: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?E...

Toronto Concert History: 45 years ago today - December 9, 1980 - CFNY Presents U2's first Toronto concert. The El Mocambo. Including here pretty spot on review from Alan Niester of The Globe & Mail. Ivar was there!

On this date in 1947, the Horseshoe Tavern opened on Queen Street West. It would become one of the most famous musical venues in Toronto.

On this date in 1884, Mark Twain appeared at Allan Gardens. According to The Globe: "Every modulation of his voice shows new unexpected fun in writings that may have been read over a dozen times. During his readings, the house was convulsed with laughter."

John Parkin house, Royal York Rd., southwest corner Meadowcrest Rd., Dec. 7, 1954 📸: James V. Salmon Toronto Public Library #OnThisDay #OTD #1950s #architecture #house #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin

On this date in 1935, Mayor Jimmy Simpson sent the first message over the new police car radio system.

On this date in 1953, seventeen-year-old Marion McDowell was last seen alive near the area of Danforth south of Lawrence. Her disappearance would never be solved.

Looking north east to the corner of Front Street and Yonge Street #OTD in 1925. You can see the Bank of Montreal that became the Hockey Hall of Fame. Across the street is the Toronto Board of Trade Building, which was torn down in 1958. https://ow.ly/3xSr50XzaTH

On this date in 1990, the Blue Jays made a major trade, swapping Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez for Joe Carter and Robert Alomar. It turned out well for the Jays.

Garrison Creek used to run through Toronto. Over the years, it would be covered and filled in, but its ghost lingers on. If you know where to look, you can still find traces of it. Learn all about it on Muddy York, Toronto's #1 history podcast. spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Ky9DDm92LYb

On this date in 1962, the first 50 minutes of the 50th Grey Cup were played at Exhibition Stadium. The game is better known as the Fog Bowl because conditions were so bad that play had to be suspended and completed the next day. Winnipeg defeated Hamilton 28-27.

Have some holiday cheer - my video of the CPKC Holiday Train passing through Leaside this evening. As this train raises donations for food banks, I will be donating all earnings from this video as of Christmas Day to a local food bank. youtu.be/YqrxmFPCyqo

On this date in 1818, George Brown was born in Scotland. He would eventually move to Toronto where he founded The Globe newspaper and became one of the Fathers of Confederation.

On this date in 1859, the bodies of Samuel Lount and Peter Mathews were removed from Potter's Field and reburied at the Necropolis. Both men had been executed for the their role in the 1837 Rebellion.

On this date in 1793, William Cooper ran an ad in the local newspaper announcing that he had sold the house located on Lot No. 6 of the town of York to Abner Mills in exchange for one yoke of steers, one barrel of salmon and one barrel of flour.

On this date in 1894, Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, presented readings and reminiscences at Massey Hall. Admission cost 50¢ with another 50¢ or 75¢ for reserved seats.

On November 26, 1974, many Torontonians heading to work downtown discovered the east side of Union Station billowing with dark plumes of smoke. Postal Station “A” had been on fire for more than three hours. #onthisday #postoffice #postal #fire #1970s #unionstation #history #toronto #jeremyhopkin

On this date in 1824, William Lyon Mackenzie published the first edition of his newspaper, The Colonial Advocate, in York. He had been based in Queenston, but moved to the provincial capital in November.

On this date in 1881, sculptor Florence Wyle was born. She would move to Toronto in 1913 and produce her best-known works here.