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Muddy York

@muddyyork.bsky.social

290 followers 28 following 350 posts

Toronto's #1 History Podcast. Our latest episode is about the history of the Toronto Zoo, that staple of elementary school field trips.

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · Nov 12

Muddy York is Toronto's #1 history podcast. Tune in to learn more about the schemers and dreamers who created the city that we know today.

Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/2OWExab...

iTunes - podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...

Muddy York: A Toronto History Podcast

open.spotify.com

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 9h

By 1902, the zoo had an elephant named Princess Rita. She would carry people around on her head and was paraded down Winchester Street at least once.

Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 9h

Episodes are hosted on Spotify, but you can find them on most platforms. Let us know if there's somewhere we're missing.

Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 15h

Riverdale Zoo opened in 1888 when Alderman Daniel Lamb donated some deer to the city and then talked his well-connected friends into donating more animals. Pretty soon, it was a full-on menagerie: pheasants, monkeys, a Siberian bear, a camel, lions, even a hippopotamus.

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 1d

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...

Spotify – Web Player

open.spotify.com

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Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 2d

TARMOLA. I think Tarmola would have been fun to visit. Suffered damage during hurricane hazel. Tarmola is where i climbed out of the valley just by the city limits at Humber Summit. 🚲

Tarmola, 1927 - 1968
Actual site: 1km N.E.)
This was the site of Tarmola, established in 1927 by the Finnish Society of Toronto as a summer retreat for Finnish workers and artisans. Volunteers built a large recreational complex here, including athletic facilities, an open-air dance pavilion and bandshell, a sauna, a restaurant, and rental cottages.
During the 1930's, at a time when there were few other comparable athletic fields, many Canadian Olympians trained at Tarmola. The site regularly hosted Finnish-Canadian cultural and athletic festivals. As many as 3000 people would attend performances featuring choirs and bands from across the country and track and field championships with athletes representing as many as 77 sports clubs from Salmon Arm, B.C. to Val D'Or, Quebec. The property was sold to the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in 1968.

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Nate Hendley @natehendley.bsky.social · 2d

I am giving a presentation about 1950s-era Toronto bank robber Edwin Alonzo Boyd.

Where: Wychwood branch, Toronto Library

When: Oct 7 at 2 pm.

Free and open to the public.

Event info tinyurl.com/569r3ya2

My book at Amazon tinyurl.com/3pmav3j4 and Indigo tinyurl.com/y4bl4gv2

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 3d

On this date in 1985, the Blue Jays clinched their first AL East title with a 5-1 win over the Yankees.

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 4d

On this date in 1856, the cornerstone of University College was laid. The Governor-General would lay the final stone two years later.

Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 5d

On this date in 1875, the second Jubilee Riot took place when Catholic marchers were attacked with stones and pistol fire during a jubilee procession. The fighting lasted for six hours, but there were no fatalities. At that time, it was the largest riot in the history of Toronto.

Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 6d

On this date in 1901, graduating arts students and the engineering society presented U of T with a pair of French cannons recovered from Louisbourg harbour. The cannons can still be found on King's College Circle.

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Bob Georgiou @bobgeorgiouto.bsky.social · 7d

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

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Adam Bunch @adambunch.bsky.social · 8d

My most popular online course is back! And this time it's being offered through the LIFE Institute for students 50+.

We'll spend eight weekly lectures exploring the history of cross-border tensions.

Learn more: thelifeinstitute.ca

Toronto vs The United States: A History of Cross-Border Tensions. An online course about the times we haven't gotten along with our neighbours in eight weekly lectures from author Adam Bunch. Begins October 7, 2025. thelifeinstitute.ca

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 7d

On this date in 1853, the first daily edition of The Globe was published. Founded in 1844, it had previously been a weekly and then semi-weekly paper.

Reposted by Muddy York

Jeremy Hopkin @jeremyhopkin.bsky.social · 9d

The first test run of subway cars on the TTC took place 72 years ago today: September 29, 1953.

#OnThisDay #OTD #1950s #TTC #subway #transit #history #torontohistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin

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Jamie Bradburn @jbcurio.bsky.social · 9d

NEW! For Toronto Today @torontotoday.ca I look at the rise of Nelvana, including its role in introducing an iconic Star Wars universe character. #TOHistory

www.torontotoday.ca/local/histor...

How a Toronto animation studio that once wowed George Lucas made it to the big leagues

After news broke this month that Corus is pausing production at Nelvana, historian Jamie Bradburn looks back at how the local company grew into an animation giant

www.torontotoday.ca

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 9d

Just a reminder that Muddy York has an account with Buy Me a Coffee. You can support our work here:
buymeacoffee.com/muddyyork

Every donation brings us closer to buying our own island in French Polynesia.

Muddy York

Muddy York is Toronto's #1 history podcast. Tune in to learn more about the schemers and dreamers who created the city that we know today.

buymeacoffee.com

Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 10d

On this date in 1907, Knapp's Roller Boat, a bizarre ship designed to rotate its outer hull like a paddle wheel, snapped its moorings and struck the lake steamer Turbina. The roller boat had to be sold for scrap to pay for the damage to the other ship.

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 12d

On this date in 1973, Yvon Rainville was photographed, coffee in hand, working on the construction of the CN Tower. The next day, he was on the front page of the Toronto Star.

Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 13d

On this date exactly 50 years ago, King of Kensington premiered on CBC.

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Nate Hendley @natehendley.bsky.social · 14d

I am giving an afternoon presentation about 1950s Toronto bank robber Edwin Alonzo Boyd at the Wychwood branch of Toronto Public Library on Oct 7.

Event deets tinyurl.com/569r3ya2

My book at: Amazon tinyurl.com/3pmav3j4 and Indigo tinyurl.com/y4bl4gv2

@crimewriterscanada.bsky.social

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 14d

On this date in 1938, the PCC Streamliner streetcar entered regular service in Toronto. They would remain on the tracks until 1995. At one point, Toronto had the largest fleet of Streamliners in the world.

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 15d

On this date in 1942, the first Canadian-built De Havilland Mosquito was flown at Downsview Airfield. Hundreds of these planes would be built at Downsview during World War II.

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 17d

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.

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 18d

On this date in 1989, The Phantom of the Opera opened at the Panteges Theatre. It was a phenomenal success, running for 10 years and 4,226 performances.

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Muddy York @muddyyork.bsky.social · 20d

Prohibition would close the many bars and taverns along Yonge Street. But as the roaring 20s arrived, many of these dens of inequity would be replaced by theatres and cinemas which were almost as sinful.