Muddy York
@muddyyork.bsky.social
Toronto's #1 History Podcast.
Our latest episode is about Toronto's Forgotten River - The Ghost of Garrison Creek.
Our latest episode is about Toronto's Forgotten River - The Ghost of Garrison Creek.
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.
December 1, 2025 at 2:53 PM
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.
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.
November 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
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.
November 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
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 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.
November 26, 2025 at 4:44 PM
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 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.
November 25, 2025 at 3:42 PM
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.
November 24, 2025 at 6:02 PM
On this date in 1881, sculptor Florence Wyle was born. She would move to Toronto in 1913 and produce her best-known works here.
On this date in 1856, St. Michael's College and St. Basil's Church were officially opened at Clover Hill.
November 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM
On this date in 1856, St. Michael's College and St. Basil's Church were officially opened at Clover Hill.
The poles were then cut into segments for transport by rail. Because the building wasn’t ready upon their arrival in Toronto, they were soaked in petroleum and covered in floor wax before being wrapped in burlap and padding to protect them from the elements.
November 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The poles were then cut into segments for transport by rail. Because the building wasn’t ready upon their arrival in Toronto, they were soaked in petroleum and covered in floor wax before being wrapped in burlap and padding to protect them from the elements.
All of the excavation work was done by pick and shovel, and men worked shortened shifts to maximize the number of workers. This is the part of the building that sits right at the corner of Bloor and Queen’s Park. It cost $1.8 million and opened on October 12, 1933.
November 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
All of the excavation work was done by pick and shovel, and men worked shortened shifts to maximize the number of workers. This is the part of the building that sits right at the corner of Bloor and Queen’s Park. It cost $1.8 million and opened on October 12, 1933.
Eventually the Board of Trustees gave in and hired her because she was doing the job anyways. She would lead tours for three days a week, including a special tour for children on Saturdays. Margaret McLean would be the first in a long line of volunteer tour guides at the ROM.
November 19, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Eventually the Board of Trustees gave in and hired her because she was doing the job anyways. She would lead tours for three days a week, including a special tour for children on Saturdays. Margaret McLean would be the first in a long line of volunteer tour guides at the ROM.
The ROM first opened in 1914 as a joint project of the province and U of T. The original museum only included the western half of the building that we know today. You can see some of its earliest artifacts below.
November 19, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The ROM first opened in 1914 as a joint project of the province and U of T. The original museum only included the western half of the building that we know today. You can see some of its earliest artifacts below.
On this date in 1917, the Toronto-Hamilton Highway was officially opened. Today, it's known as Highway 2.
November 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
On this date in 1917, the Toronto-Hamilton Highway was officially opened. Today, it's known as Highway 2.
On this date in 1915, a new official residence for the Lt. Governor called Chorley Park was officially opened in Rosedale. It would be demolished in 1961 and replaced by a park of the same name.
November 15, 2025 at 3:08 PM
On this date in 1915, a new official residence for the Lt. Governor called Chorley Park was officially opened in Rosedale. It would be demolished in 1961 and replaced by a park of the same name.
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.
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
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.
On this date in 1840, Her Majesty's Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory at Toronto went into operation. It was located on the U of T grounds near the site of Convocation Hall and was part of a project to figure out why compasses wander from north. The sun was the culprit.
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
On this date in 1840, Her Majesty's Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory at Toronto went into operation. It was located on the U of T grounds near the site of Convocation Hall and was part of a project to figure out why compasses wander from north. The sun was the culprit.
On this date in 1980, Art Eggleton was elected Mayor of Toronto. He would hold the position until 1991 become the longest-serving mayor in Toronto history.
November 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
On this date in 1980, Art Eggleton was elected Mayor of Toronto. He would hold the position until 1991 become the longest-serving mayor in Toronto history.
On this date in 1789, Govenor-General Lord Dorchester created the Nobel Order of Unity of the Empire. The United Empire Loyalists would be central to Toronto's early identity.
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
On this date in 1789, Govenor-General Lord Dorchester created the Nobel Order of Unity of the Empire. The United Empire Loyalists would be central to Toronto's early identity.
In 1967, CBC did a very CBC thing and cancelled Butternut Square at the height of its popularity. The public backlash forced CBC to backtrack and they agreed to produce a smaller show that would focus on a handful of characters. This was of course Mr. Dressup.
November 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
In 1967, CBC did a very CBC thing and cancelled Butternut Square at the height of its popularity. The public backlash forced CBC to backtrack and they agreed to produce a smaller show that would focus on a handful of characters. This was of course Mr. Dressup.
Butternut Square was set in a village square with five human cast members and a host of different puppets. Of course, the most famous characters on the show would be Mr. Dressup, Casey and Finnegan.
November 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Butternut Square was set in a village square with five human cast members and a host of different puppets. Of course, the most famous characters on the show would be Mr. Dressup, Casey and Finnegan.
After Mr. Rogers decided to return to Pittsburgh, he suggested that one of his puppeteers could be part of a replacement program - his name was Ernie Coombs.
November 6, 2025 at 11:51 AM
After Mr. Rogers decided to return to Pittsburgh, he suggested that one of his puppeteers could be part of a replacement program - his name was Ernie Coombs.
It's a little-known fact that Fred Rogers began his TV hosting career on CBC. From 1962-64, Misterogers would launch many of the ideas that became famous on his PBS show.
November 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
It's a little-known fact that Fred Rogers began his TV hosting career on CBC. From 1962-64, Misterogers would launch many of the ideas that became famous on his PBS show.
For 26 years starting in 1958, Canadian children were told to "Look up, waaaaay up". Unlike other kids shows that were loud and raucous, the Friendly Giant was relaxed and focused on reading books or playing music. Episodes would be improvised based on a one page outline.
November 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
For 26 years starting in 1958, Canadian children were told to "Look up, waaaaay up". Unlike other kids shows that were loud and raucous, the Friendly Giant was relaxed and focused on reading books or playing music. Episodes would be improvised based on a one page outline.
Chichimus was the first thing ever broadcast on CBC television. He was part of a 15-minute preview show called Let's See that would highlight each evening's programs. He became so popular that he got his own show - Uncle Chichimus, featuring his niece Hollyhock.
November 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Chichimus was the first thing ever broadcast on CBC television. He was part of a 15-minute preview show called Let's See that would highlight each evening's programs. He became so popular that he got his own show - Uncle Chichimus, featuring his niece Hollyhock.
On this date in 1842, William McMurrich was born. As Mayor of Toronto in 1881, he would intervene when a group of Black musicians were denied rooms at the American Hotel. He and some others offered their own homes and the resulting bad publicity forced the hotel to back down.
November 1, 2025 at 2:34 PM
On this date in 1842, William McMurrich was born. As Mayor of Toronto in 1881, he would intervene when a group of Black musicians were denied rooms at the American Hotel. He and some others offered their own homes and the resulting bad publicity forced the hotel to back down.
On this date in 1950, comedy icon and future Argos owner John Candy was born.
October 31, 2025 at 3:37 PM
On this date in 1950, comedy icon and future Argos owner John Candy was born.