CTS track star student attended Berlin Olympics on behalf of Canada By Nabahat Hussain Alumni of Central Technical School (CTS) are raising funds for a plaque commemorating the late Sam Richardson. The former student came in 5th place in the 4×100 metre relay race alongside his teammates in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The heritage plaque […]

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HVRA lane-naming project leads to The Postman In March of 2015 the Gleaner featured coverage of the pending play, The Postman, that was staged on neighbourhood porches in the summer of that year. The Harbord Village event commemorated the life and times of Albert Jackson, Canada’s first black postie. On the occasion of Canada Post […]

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A look back to when the Barns first opened its doors As we come up to the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Artscape Wychwood Barns, we thought it an opportune moment to reprint an article about its opening. The following appeared in our October 2008 issue. By Patricia Marcoccia Nearly a century after […]

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Central Tech student raced alongside Jesse Owens Students and staff at Central Technical School joined the descendants of Sam Richardson to officially declare the school’s front laneway Sam Richardson Way and unveil a new street sign on February 15. The celebration was also one of the school’s events that marked Black History Month. We thought […]

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Can a park’s past set the tone for its future? By Nicholas Provart Fifty years ago, around the same time that the City of Toronto was planning the Spadina Expressway, urban planners had a bold vision for the area surrounded by Robert Street, Sussex Avenue, Bloor Street, and Spadina Avenue. The thought was to build […]

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If buildings are art, should they be altered from their original form? In Building a Community: Estonian Architects in Post-War Toronto, the Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU) at Tartu Colleges features the work of Uno Prii, who designed at least ten buildings in the Annex. These include the Senator Croll Apartments (formerly Rochdale College) at […]

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Dutch Dreams owner recalls Nazi terror, jubilation after liberation In honour of Remembrance Day, we’re reprinting the story of Theo Aben, co-owner of Dutch Dreams. It first appeared in November 2004. By Jessica Shulman Eight-year-old Theo Aben stood rapt as Canadian troops descended upon his town of Amersfoort, Holland. He fought hard to suppress a […]

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Howland Avenue takes its name from noted reformer By David Raymont An Annex-area street recalls the contribution of one-time local business titan and politician Sir William Howland. Howland’s speculation in land in the Annex area resulted in Howland Avenue being named for him. He also founded the village of Lambton Mills on the Humber River. […]

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Heritage Toronto unveils Joseph Bloore plaque PICTURE BY GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS: Approximately 100 people gathered at 117 Bloor St. E. on Aug. 31 to celebrate the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Joseph Bloore. The plaque, located close to the site of Bloore’s home, includes a part of a previous one dedicated to the inspiration […]

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As Canada celebrates 150 years of colonialist history, this display presents another vital component to our history, which has forever shaped the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The exhibit delves into the geographic land negotiations — treaties — that predate Canadian Confederation. Each of the 24 panels provides a comprehensive explanation of the complicated […]

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Fully restored statue returns to school By Linda Nguyen A bronze soldier has stood proudly in front of Harbord Collegiate Institute for 83 years. He’s watched students saunter in and out of class each day, watched as they skateboard and chatter at his feet, but most importantly, he’s watched over them. Nicknamed “Our Soldier” by […]

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Three Annex veterans recall war service By Annemarie Brissenden Georgette Caldwell remembers the exact moment she decided to join the Women’s Royal Naval Service. It came after the first firebombing of London. Walking along the churchyard of St. Paul’s Cathedral, “you could smell the wood burning, and the cobblestones underneath my feet were still steaming.” […]

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