Susan Goldenberg This being the peak of the apple picking season, here’s what happened in North York’s early days. Apple paring competitions called “ bees” were very popular in the fall of the year, according to the North York Historical Society archives, when the apples had to be pared and cored for drying and making …
Susan Goldenberg Isaac Dollery (1835-1924) was a notable North York eccentric. There are lots of enjoyable stories about him, some perhaps exaggerated, in NYHS’ archives now at the North York History Room, 5th floor, North York Central Library. According to one story, one day Dollery, a carpenter by trade, brought home a bear cub after …
Susan Goldenberg Passersby for over a century must have gawked in amazement at an octagonal barn on the northwest corner of Steeles and Dufferin, a most unusual shape for a barn. The barn was built in the 1870s for Samuel Troyer from wood of a former barn. There are two possibilities as to why octagonal-shaped …
Susan Goldenberg This June 26 marks the 102nd anniversary of the cornerstone laying of North York’s first municipal building, located at the northeast corner of Yonge and Empress streets. It was an exciting, proud occasion because it was just a little over a year since North York had been incorporated as an independent community on …
Susan Goldenberg For 140 years the hub of community life in North York was a general store, with three different names in its history, the last being Dempsey’s, at the northwest corner of Yonge and Sheppard. If you know stories about Dempsey’s we’d love for you to send them to us at info@nyhs.ca and we’ll …
By: Marla Weingarten James Hogg emigrated from Scotland and settled in what is now known as Hoggs Hollow. He came to own property on both sides of the Don River and ran a successful mill operation. His first York Mill’s hotel built in 1836 burned down in 1856 with a second structure built by his …
Susan Goldenberg In connection with February being Black History Month, here is the story of notable black North Yorker Donald Willard Moore about whom The Canadian Encyclopedia says: “Donald Moore had a lifelong career in fighting racial injustices and racist immigration policies in Canada.” He lived on Drewry Avenue in central North York in a …
By: Susan Goldenberg North Yorkers resorted to drastic measures in the 1950s such as bathing their babies in ginger ale because of a severe water shortage. Year after year officials promised relief; it didn’t happen. “Summer after summer for nine years hoses dried up, and the grass and flowers burned,” Patricia Hart wrote in her …
Susan Goldenberg from a tip by fellow NYHS board member Linda Gargaro Downsview Airport experienced its only fatal plane crash in its years of operation 1929 to 1996, close to 70 years ago on February 14, 1956. Made by de Havilland Canada whose plant was at the airport, the single turbine engine, propeller-driven, all-metal, high-winged …
Susan Goldenberg This year (2024) is the bicentennial of North York’s oldest residence, the John Bales House near Bathurst and Sheppard, located in 51 hectare (127 acre) Earl Bales Park created in 1975 partly from land owned by John Bales and named after his great grandson R. (Robert) Earl Bales, North York Reeve (mayor) 1934-40. …
