culture
A Gardens Gallery
Shoppers join sermons, Shakespeare, singers, and skaters as part of the eclectic history of Maple Leaf Gardens.
Sketch of Maple Leaf Gardens as it was first unveiled in the press. The Telegram, March 5, 1931.
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- Sketch of Maple Leaf Gardens as it was first unveiled in the press. The Telegram, March 5, 1931.
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- Opening-night ceremonies at Maple Leaf Gardens. The Mail and Empire, November 11, 1931.
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- Irvine “Ace” Bailey of the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club, in his office, 1960s. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 2370.
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- Wrestling match, Whipper Billy Watson versus Dick Hutton, Maple Leaf Gardens, July 5, 1956. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7520.
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- Skater jumps through ring of fire at Toronto War Savings Committee youth rally, Maple Leaf Gardens, February 13, 1941. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7068.
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- Communist leader Tim Buck (left) and others, Communist Labour and Total War Committee meeting, Maple Leaf Gardens, October 13, 1942. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7099.
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- Badminton played on skates in Maple Leaf Gardens ice show, 1950s. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 6709.
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- Toronto Youth for Christ rally, Maple Leaf Gardens, circa 1946. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7111.
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- Mayor Robert H. Saunders (left) and Charles Templeton (right) at Toronto Youth for Christ rally, Maple Leaf Gardens. 1946. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7114.
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- Stanley Holloway putting on makeup, Old Vic Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Maple Leaf Gardens, December 1954. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7342.
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- Bingo players, Maple Leaf Gardens, 1940s. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7368.
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- Lou Brody at Maple Leaf Gardens, between 1940 and 1960. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 2439A.
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- Liberace at Maple Leaf Gardens, May 8, 1954. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 3404.
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- Performer in Maple Leaf Gardens’ Ice Capades rehearsing Peter Pan with journalist, 1950s. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 6776.
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- Performer in Maple Leaf Gardens’ Ice Capades with broken leg, with members of Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club, 1950s. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 6757.
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- Maple Leaf Gardens refreshment stand, April 12, 1955. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7422.
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- Crowds on new escalators, Maple Leaf Gardens, 1955.
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- Prime Minister and Mrs. Louis St. Laurent at Liberal party rally, Maple Leaf Gardens, June 7, 1957. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 4213.
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- Bill Haley and the Comets, Maple Leaf Gardens, April 30, 1956. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7213.
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- Cliff Richard and the Shadows at the Biggest Show of Stars for 1960. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7220.
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- Audience at the Biggest Show of Shows for 1960, Maple Leaf Gardens. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7245.
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- Perry Como and Conn Smythe with “Timmy” in Como’s dressing room for Easter Seals show, “Timmy’s Easter Parade of Stars”, Maple Leaf Gardens, April 14, 1957. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7314.
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- Toronto Maple Leafs versus Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens, late 1950s or early 1960s. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7529.
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- Toronto Maple Leafs versus Boston Bruins, between 1961 and 1963. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7527
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- Two men in Maple Leaf Gardens dressing room, pointing to painted Toronto Maple Leafs sign, 1950s. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7447.
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- Sonny Fox with Harold Ballard at Maple Leaf Gardens, 1950s. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 3038.
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- Greg Crombie at Maple Leaf Gardens with King Clancy, 1978. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 8859.
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- A relic left behind when the Maple Leafs vacated the premises, which was still hanging during Nuit Blanche in 2008. Photo by Jamie Bradburn/Torontoist.
Where pucks once flew 15 feet or more on the ice, shoppers will stare at a 15-foot wall of cheese.
Today’s grand opening of the new flagship Loblaws store at Maple Leaf Gardens is a long-awaited step in the repurposing of a Toronto landmark. Along with Ryerson University’s Peter Gilgan Athletic Centre at the Gardens, which is scheduled to open in spring 2012, the supermarket adds another chapter to the rich history of the building. Built upon Conn Smythe’s vision of a classy entertainment venue 80 years ago, the Gardens have witnessed everything from political rallies to Shakespearian theatre. And a few hockey games…
