The OG Waterfront in TO

HIKE OF THE WEEK

This week’s hike was focused on exploring Old Toronto’s South Core Waterfront.  It is such an overlooked area of the city that is often thought of as a tourist destination, but it is actually a hidden gem and much more serene than you would think.    

Here is the area in 1919.

This area of the waterfront which is considered the old core, is much different than it was a couple hundred years ago.  In the 1850s, the lake edge was actually near what is now Front Street and the rail corridor. Almost everything south of that line was filled in to make new land as old wharves, boats, and waste were simply covered up and that remains under the modern surface. 

This is old visual shows the setback of the shore and proximity to the downtown.

Prohibition smuggling was very prominent in this area during the 1920s. This harbour was a hotspot for smuggling alcohol into the United States.

During the War of 1812, this harbour was a vital defence point. The Toronto Garrison (Fort York) stood as the western entrance

The Toronto Islands were originally a peninsula, but violent storms in 1852 and 1858 cut through the sandbar which made them islands and created the Eastern Channel. This is what Ontario Place looks like mid transition. It is a sad looking picture for many Torontonians with the future of the site Possibly? looking better.

The Canada Malting Silos and Redpath Sugar Refinery stand as lasting remnants of the area’s intense industrial, manufacturing, and shipping past in the early 20th century.

I like this picture because it displays the ever changing Toronto skyline.

Local Indigenous folklore from the Seneca tribe tells of "Gaasyendietha," a dragon-like creature occasionally spotted in Lake Ontario and the harbour.

The Salvage Monarch is a historic Canadian tugboat built in Appledore England in 1959. It is known for a its long career in salvage, towing and harbour work on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Originally designed for heavy salvage duties, it earned the nickname "The Grim Reaper" in the 1960s and 70s for towing retired vessels to scrapyards.

The Westin Harbour Castle opened in 1975 was developed by Robert Campeau. Tourists love the building for stunning, unobstructed panoramic views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Islands. It features a Michelin-rated restaurant and 977 rooms.

Here is the rest of the hike through the western downtown core. I’m pretty sure that this is not my 2nd fastest 10 miles but I appreciate the positivity!

Interesting Vintage Find This Week

As many of you know, I am an unapologetic vintage hunter.  When I am hiking on my own, I also incorporate thrifting as if the two functions were meant to go hand in hand.   

As any long seasoned Blue Jays fans know, when growing up in the 1980’s there were a couple of major Blue Jays 1 day promotions every year for us 80’s kids. The first was “Catelli Bat Day”. Kids that day if they were lucky (collectable lines were not like they are today) would walk home with an actual wooden official size baseball bat that was a really cool blue colour.

The second really popular day among my friends was “Mr. Sub Gym Bag Day”. Remember that these were the days when there was not much licensing of logo’s, so Blue Jays gym bags were unique. Kids would slug their books to school in this bag and not even think twice about the over branded second tier quick service restaurant that was plastered on their bag.

This recently acquired “Mr. Sub" bag is a special one however as it is from the 1993 season when they won their second and last world series. This bag is extra unique though as it is commemorating their first World Series Win from only a from months earlier. This version of the bag also included signature simulations for the entire 1993 Blue Jays team.

The 1992 team is a special one for me because it included one of my favourite all time baseball players from the 1980’s, Dave Winfield.

The classic gym bag usually has a Blue Jays logo on each end of the bag as shown in this picture. The condition of this bag is incredible as it was still in the original plastic.

In this version however, one of the side panels commemorated the Blue Jays first championship from only months earlier.

Happy Hiking!

Instagram - urbanhikingtoronto