Podcasts
The Etobicoke Historical Society is pleased to share a series of podcasts on the history of Etobicoke. This podcast is a series of interviews of senior Etobicoke residents in the 1980’s. They are a valuable and unique view into the history of Etobicoke in the early part of the 20th century, as seen through the personal experiences of local residents. The podcast series presents a different interview each month.
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Etobicoke Oral History Series
Episode 020 - Larry Donovan - Part One (November 2022)
Larry Donovan was born in Humber Bay in 1906. He talks about what the area used to look like with motels, a gambling club, houses and other businesses. Larry attended Humber Bay School when it was four rooms and he describes life as a boy growing up on the Humber River with activities such as canoeing, fishing, skating and playing hockey. His father owned a grocery store and he describes the patrons and products. He also talks about activities during the prohibition era.
Larry Donovan was born in Humber Bay in 1906. He talks about what the area used to look like with motels, a gambling club, houses and other businesses. Larry attended Humber Bay School when it was four rooms and he describes life as a boy growing up on the Humber River with activities such as canoeing, fishing, skating and playing hockey. His father owned a grocery store and he describes the patrons and products. He also talks about activities during the prohibition era.
Episode 019 - Rennie Haslett - Part Two (October 2022)
This is the second part of the interview with Rennie Haslett who grew up in Mimico. Here she describes meeting her husband and the type of social activities they would engage in. She also talks about the stores and businesses in the area. Rennie discusses racism towards the Chinese who were living there. She also talks about local people such as Conn Smythe as well as celebrations for Christmas, New Years and Robbie Burns Day.
Episode 018 - Rennie Haslett - Part One (September 2022)
This is the first part of an interview with Rennie Haslett who was born in the village of Mimico and spent most of her life there. She talks about her father going to fight in WW I and arriving home when she was in grade one. Rennie went to John English School when it was just a few classes. She describes the school as well as Mimico High School. She became a teacher in 1931 at the John English School, and talks about life as a teacher during the depression. Rennie also relates what life was like growing up in a strict Scots Presbyterian family.
Episode 017 - Gideon Silverthorn (August 2022)
Gideon Silverthorn grew up on a farm near the village of Summerville, across the road from the Eaton farm. He was a Councillor in Etobicoke Township in the 1920’s. He talks about what life was like during the depression for people working on work crews and collecting welfare. Although he wasn’t on the Council during the famous hostage taking, he recalls the events. He also describes in detail what the village of Summerville looked like.
Episode 016 - Florence Aymowy (July 2022)
Florence’s family, the Hills, farmed 117 acres around Montgomery’s Inn and lived in the building itself. They sold their produce in Toronto. Mr. Loblaw used to buy apples from them. Florence tells many stories of what it was like to live in the Inn. She also talks about going to school and growing up in the area. There is a detailed retelling of celebrating Christmas in the Inn with extended family.
Episode 015 - Stanley Ella (June 2022)
Stanley grew up on a 100 acre farm near Martingrove and Albiion Rd., near Smithfield village. He went to a one room school. He talks about growing up on the farm and describes life in the village of Smithfield.
Episode 014 - Bessie Marshall (May 2022)
Bessie Marshall was a teacher in the old Islington School around 1919. She taught the primary children as well as home economics to the older students. She talks about the life of a school teacher and her involvement in the community. She recalls living near the village of Summerville, which is now gone.
Episode 013 - Wilbert Gardhouse #2 (April 2022)
This is a continuation of an earlier interview with Wilbert Gardhouse. Wilbert talks about his life in municipal politics as treasurer of the county of York and then clerk for the newly formed Metro Toronto government. He recalls many stories about Fred Gardiner, the first Metro Toronto Chairman.
Episode 012 - Nellie Laughton (March 2022)
In this episode, Nellie Laughton shares stories of her life on Dundas Street near Montgomery Inn. She talks about her memories growing up in the area, going to a one room school, and various social activities of the time. Note that the tape recording is faint at times in this episode.
Episode 011 - Wilbert Gardhouse #1 (February 2022)
Wilbert grew up in the Highfield area and in this episode, he talks about his experiences fighting in France during WWI, acting as a councillor and reeve in the 1930’s, as well as working for the Willys [Willis]-Overland car company. He also shares what it was like working for 33 years as treasurer of the County of York, his life during the depression, people on welfare, and an incident in which welfare officers were held hostage by some recipients demanding an increase!
Episode 010 - Bill Codlin (January 2022)
Bill Codlin grew up on a farm in the Claireville area of old Etobicoke. He talks about what life was like on the farm, and selling produce at the St. Lawrence, the village and people of Claireville (now gone), as well as swimming and playing hockey on the Humber River. He describes a spring fair where they showed the horses and cattle on the street before there was a fairground, attending the one room Claireville School , fighting a fire with no fire department - just a bucket brigade, and the local doctor visiting in the winter with a “snow car”- a precursor to the snowmobile ( a Ford fixed up with dual wheels on the back and skids on the front).
Episode 009 - Albert Pearson (December 2021)
Albert Pearson's great grandparents moved to the Richview area in 1839. His grandfather ran the farm until he was killed by runaway horses, then his father took it over. Albert was married in 1938 at he and his wife then ran it. In 1955 they sold it to developers. He raised dairy cows, and shipped milk to Toronto. He talks about his school days in the one room school at Richview, farm chores, fishing and swimming in Mimico Creek, and social activities at the church.
Episode 008 - Ann Gardhouse (November 2021)
Ann was born in 1898 and raised on a 100 acre farm in the Highfield area. She talks about life on the farm and school at a the room HIghfield P.S. near Hwy. 27 which was a dirt road. They got their first car about 1916 and did their shopping in Weston. In the village of Highfield there was only a post office and a Baptist church. Ann describes social activities such as “chivarees”, barn raisings, and going to Shea’s Hippodrome in Toronto. She also describes life in Thistletown where they moved in 1918.
Episode 007 - Madge Michele (October 2021)
Madge Michele was the daughter of Richard Green, a minister in the Church of England. In 1918 her family moved to a house on Montgomery Rd. She talks about her childhood: keeping the Sabbath, social life, concerts at the Islington Public school, garden parties and picnics. Madge discusses the importance of the church as part of the community life. She also talks about The “Humber Hermit”. Madge discusses shopping at Eatons and the local Dunne’s store, and the change in clothing styles over the years.
Episode 006 - The O'Connor Sisters #2 (September 2021)
This month features the second part of a two-part series featuring The O'Connor Sisters. Geraldine and Madeline O’Connor of the famous singing family, The O’Connor Sisters, talk about their family history, the early families of Alderwood, education, farming, musical backgrounds and their start in show business. They also reminisce about coming home in the summer from touring, and life during the Depression.
Episode 005 - The O'Connor Sisters #1 (August 2021)
This month features the first part of a two-part series featuring The O'Connor Sisters. Geraldine and Madeline O’Connor of the famous singing family, The O’Connor Sisters, talk about their family history, the early families of Alderwood, education, farming, musical backgrounds and their start in show business. They also reminisce about coming home in the summer from touring, and life during the Depression.
Episode 004 - John Kendall (July 2021)
This month features John Kendall. As a teen, John’s family moved from downtown Toronto to Poplar St. in Islington in 1921. John talks about about the differences of moving from downtown to “the countryside of Etobicoke”. He worked for his father’s printing business in Toronto, and talks about many topics from transportation, playing music in local bands, and heating his home with coal. John has some amusing antidotes about driving his first Ford. Note: There is tape noise for the first minute.
Episode 003 - Richard Baxter (June 2021)
This month features Richard Baxter. He was born in 1914 and at the age of 15 he left high school to work in the municipal office of New Toronto. He eventually became a tax assessor and later a Chief Assessment Officer for the Borough of Etobicoke. His story tells about growth of New Toronto in the 1930’s to 1950’s, including the development of new industries such as the Campbell Soup Company.
Episode 002 - Herbert Ewart (May 2021)
This month features Herbert Ewart, a man who grew up on a market garden farm. He describes the farm and activities when he was a boy, and his school years. He trained at a business college, got his first job at Ryerston Press and worked in the book industry for 50 years. He tells about meeting his wife, dating, team sports and social life.
Episode 001 - William Creech (April 2021)
This month features William Creech. William Creech grew up on a farm at 4245 Dundas St. W., between Prince Edward Dr. and Royal York Rd. He recalls his life as boy, going to Lambton Mills School when it was only a 2 room school house. He recalls sports activities in the area, social life, the family farm, Lambton Mills tavern and local businesses.