Posts Filed Under: 1950s

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Historicist: Ted Rogers, Communist?

The future media mogul's run-in with American immigration officials in 1954 occurred against a backdrop of anti-McCarthyist sentiment at the University of Toronto.

By Jamie Bradburn Mar. 11th, 12:00 pm

1 Comment

Historicist: How the St. Charles Tavern went from Chinese-Food Restaurant to Popular Gay Bar

"Meet under the clock" was a slogan ingrained in the city's gay community.

By Jamie Bradburn Jun. 25th, 12:00 pm

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Historicist: Banned in Buffalo

A Toronto teen was booted off a popular dance show in 1959 for dancing with a white girl.

By Jamie Bradburn Feb. 13th, 12:00 pm

Bidding for the Summer Olympics

Reviewing Toronto's five previous attempts to display the Olympic rings.

By Jamie Bradburn Jul. 29th, 2:30 pm

Vintage Toronto Ads: Wexford Restaurant

Cracking eggs and squeezing oranges for nearly 60 years in Scarborough.

By Jamie Bradburn Apr. 22nd, 1:00 pm

6 Comments

Vintage Toronto Ads: A Taste of Hungary

At one time, Toronto was a bastion of Hungarian cuisine, especially in the "Goulash Archipelago."

By Jamie Bradburn Mar. 4th, 2:50 pm

2 Comments

Vintage Toronto Ads: Fabulous Cloverdale Mall

From dance parties featuring the music of Pat Boone to new health-conscious initiatives, the mall has been serving its south Etobicoke community since 1956.

By Jamie Bradburn Nov. 19th, 9:40 am

Historicist: Hans in the Kitchen

Hans Fread, Canada's first celebrity television chef, rarely kept opinions to himself.

By Jamie Bradburn Aug. 30th, 12:52 pm

Meet a Toronto Mayor: Allan Lamport

A stubborn scrapper who declared, "If anyone’s going to stab me in the back, I want to be there."

By Jamie Bradburn Aug. 5th, 3:45 pm

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Happy 60th Birthday, Yonge Line!

A look back at the politics and personalities on hand at the birth of Toronto's first subway line.

By Jamie Bradburn Mar. 31st, 12:51 pm

12 Comments

Goin’ Down the Gardiner Expressway

In light of the latest study on the Gardiner, a look at how the expressway developed.

By Jamie Bradburn Feb. 7th, 9:03 am

7 Comments

Historicist: Simpsons + Sears

As Sears winds down its store at the Eaton Centre, a look at how the retailer's Canadian branch emerged from a cross-border partnership.

By Jamie Bradburn Dec. 21st, 12:00 pm

6 Comments

Historicist: Candlelight and CHFI

Behind the beautiful music, Canada's first stand-alone commercial FM station experienced turbulence.

By Jamie Bradburn Aug. 31st, 12:00 pm

38 Comments

Historicist: Opposing the Subway

In the late 1950s, several suburban municipalities tried to block construction of the Bloor-Danforth and University subway lines.

By Jamie Bradburn May. 11th, 12:00 pm

4 Comments

Historicist: Two Days with the Queen

Were Torontonians feeling indifferent toward Queen Elizabeth II during her 1959 royal visit?

By Jamie Bradburn Mar. 16th, 12:15 pm

Vintage Toronto Ads: Doin’ the Brading’s Do-Si-Do

Promoting a popular early 1950s recreational activity in the name of good health, and beer.

By Jamie Bradburn Jan. 15th, 10:45 am

1 Comment

Vintage Toronto Ads: Selling Sam the Record Man

The evolution of the legendary record retailer's advertising.

By Jamie Bradburn Sep. 25th, 12:15 pm

Vintage Toronto Ads: Let’s Have a Sherry Before Dinner!

Touting the taste (and economy!) of 1950s domestic fortified vino.

By Jamie Bradburn Jul. 10th, 12:30 pm