Why I Love Christmas in Toronto

An Ode To Eaton’s

Eaton’s – is a name that has been uttered by many Torontonians every Christmas for over a century now. Even though the context of the name has changed in that century it is still a powerful and important part of Christmas in this city. If you say “Eaton’s” to my 19 year old sister she will automatically think of the mall. If you say “Eaton’s” to me I will think of the now defunct department store and the statue that sits in the Royal Ontario Museum of Timothy Eaton. If you say “Eaton’s” to my mother she will tell you about the Eaton’s Department store Holiday Windows and finally if you say “Eaton’s” to any of my grandparents they will tell you about the highly anticipated Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue.

For each generation Eaton’s means something completely different. Eaton’s was once one of Canada’s most iconic brands. In fact the Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue is considered one of the most iconic symbols of Canadian culture. For my graduation gift my friend Sook bought me a vintage Eaton’s Catalogue and I was ecstatic and over the roof that she had got it for me. Furthermore, the name Eaton’s in this city spans far beyond the Toronto Eaton Centre and is associated with College Park , which was once an Eaton’s, and Eatonville, a neighbourhood in Etobicoke, that has direct connections to the Eaton family.

However, one thing is clear and that is that the name Eaton’s is one that will forever be a part of Christmas in Toronto. Even though the reason and meaning in which we say the name has changed, it is still a major part of Christmas in this city.  If I could turn you attention below I will explain to you how the name Eaton’s has been associated with Christmas in Toronto for over a century.

Let’s start with the Santa Claus Parade which was started by the Eaton’s. The parade which made its debut in 1905 as the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade began with just Jolly old St. Nick himself and has grown to become one of the biggest parades in North America.  In the early 80’s the Eaton’s withdrew its sponsorship, but many businesses knew the importance and tradition this parade carried in the city and today the parade is over a century old. If it wasn’t for the Eaton’s the Santa Claus Parade that we all love would not exist.

The Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue is another Christmas memory many Torontonians and Canadian have. The first Christmas catalogue was released in 1897 and became one of the most anticipated catalogues ever. Archive Ontario even said that the arrival of the catalogue was the official start of Christmas. My grandmother has even told me stories about how neighbours would dedicate whole nights to reading the catalogue, how children would fight over who got to look at it first and how the housewives in the area would gather in a book club format to discuss the catalogue and potential gift ideas. Many even called the book the Homesteader’s or Family bible. That is how big this Christmas catalogue was. In fact, in book The Hockey Sweater the main character looks in an Eaton’s Christmas Catalogue to show his mother the Montreal Canadiens Jersey he wants.

Next is the Eaton’s holiday window. Each year Eaton’s would have the most marvellous window spectacle in all of Toronto. The way it was unveiled and the detail that went into it is very much like how Holt Renfrew executes its windows today. People would crowd around the sidewalk just to get a glimpse of the Holiday wonder that Eaton’s had put on display.   

Finally, we all know the name Eaton’s as one of Toronto’s largest shopping malls which gets so packed in the weeks leading up to Christmas that you can barely move.  

No matter how you look at it the name Eaton’s has a long history during Christmas in Toronto and I feel it is only appropriate to honour the name.

That is Why I Love Christmas In Toronto.  

Related Posts

• College Park
• Holt Renfrew
• The Royal Ontario Museum
• The Santa Claus Parade
• Timothy Eaton Statue
• Toronto Eaton Centre Part 1 and Part 2

Sources and Images

• iOffer
• FlickerRiver
• I Found My Childhood (Blogspot)
• Wikipedia
• Archives Ontario
• The Canadian Encyclopedia

Why I Love Toronto Reason

The Santa Claus Parade!!

I remember every year before the Santa Claus Parade I would sit down with my mom and we would make these awesome lists for Santa. I would tell her what to put on the list and she would handwrite it for me. I also always used to tell her to ask him if he liked the cookies I left out last year or if he would prefer a different type cookie. I also would ask if I should leave carrots for the Reindeer to improve their eye sight just in case there was a storm on Christmas Eve. After we sealed the letter I would put it next to the door, so I wouldn’t forget to bring it to the Santa Claus Parade. 

I always say that once the City Hall Christmas Tree is lit and Santa Claus comes to town that the Christmas season has officially started.  After the jolly old man comes to town it is time for everyone to get their Christmas trees out, string the lights around the house, hang the garland, buy some egg nog and make sure they have missile toe every wear they go so that they have an excuse to kiss the hot guy or girl in their office that is so dreamy – but I digress.

As a child I loved going to the Santa Claus Parade to see the floats, the clowns walking on their hands, mother goose, the Coca-Cloa Polar Bears, the marching bands and of course Santa himself. I still go every year except this year because everything fell on the wrong weekend for me! But alas I will just have to watch it in HD when I get home tomorrow with a cup of apple cider. Plus HD makes you feel like you are there anyways.

This year will mark the 108^th year for the parade which began in 1905 by Toronto/ Canada’s most influential man Timothy Eaton (my opinion). Eaton’s Department Store was the sponsor of the parade until 1982. The one thing I love about this parade is that is has gone on through the worst of times. It ran during the depression and both World Wars, which is understandable because Santa to children and even their parents represent hope and happiness.

As I said the first parade was in 1905 and being 108 years old a lot of interesting things have happened, from the way Santa has arrived to the weather. I think it would be would be interesting to share some highlights over the 108 years of the Santa Claus Parade.

When Santa first came to Toronto in 1905 he arrived at Union Station and walked with the Eaton family to their flagship store.

When the parade began the only attraction was Santa and since then more floats, bands and footmen have be added to the event.

In 1913 Santa was pulled on his sleigh by real reindeer from Labrador (which at the time was not even part of Canada).  

In 1919 Santa arrived by plane at the Aerodome on Eglinton Ave.  – interesting mode of transportation.

1917 was the year children were first introduced to Mother Goose.

During the Second World War, the 1939 parade saw costumes made from paper because of shortages in material.

In 1950 the parade was the largest in North America.

The CBC aired the first televised version of the Santa Claus Parade in 1952. Today it has been televised on Global, CP24 and CTV.

In 1955 it rained on Santa for the first time! Not snow but rain!

2011 was a big year because Mrs. Claus got her own float!!

For many the parade is the beginning of Christmas. We welcome Santa, the kids mail their lists and the shopping begins. This is a huge tradition and I bet you every kid in Toronto has been to the parade at least once and has given Santa a letter.

So for those of you have been to the parade and have given Santa a letter reblog this post! Spread the holiday cheer and when you do, mention your favorite float and the one thing you can remember putting on your list for Santa.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Images from Government of Ontario Archives and TOSanta Twitter

Why I Love Toronto Reason#283

U of T’s Convocation Hall

I am graduating from York on Wednesday and I am so excited. But this past week I was at U of T twice. The first time was to explore the grounds with Upasana and the second was for a bikers breakfast. Both times I was there as the U of T class of 2012 was either filing in or out of convocation hall. Going in to graduate and coming out as alumni. Now I was once in convocation hall for a speech by Stephen Lewis and what a beautiful building it was.

Sitting around King College Circle, Con Hall as many U of T students call it was designed by our friends Pearson and Darling (197 Yonge Street, One King Street, Original ROM, Original AGO, Commerce Court) and was opened in 1907. It is inspired by the grand theatre of Sorbonne (in Paris, France) and is a beaux arts styled building. Now the building was built after the original convocation hall was burnt to the ground in 1890 (it was previously part of University College). The new hall was funded by the U of T Alumni Association who held a fundraiser for a new building. In the end donors contributed $50,000 and the Government of Ontario matched that along with a contribution from Mr. Eaton who gave $1,000 and from the class of 1884 who raised $1,500.

Con Hall is not only a place to hold convocations. It hosts various events and is even a lecture hall. However according to BlogUT the internet sucks in the building so for those students who are bored and rather facebook, tumble or tweet or for those who sit in the very back and watch porn you might just want to listen instead of being frustrated by the internet. Oh and I did I mention it is desk-less and is usually used for big intro classes meaning if you want a good seat you’ll probably have to fight for it.  

Inside the hall has a capacity to fit around 1,700 people. Many note the buildings columns, entablature (which you see resting on columns), and my two favorite parts the domed roof as well as organ. I also love the doors, I love big wood doors because for me they stand for something prestigious.

Just think some of U Of T’s most famous alumni have probably (if they went to their convocation) received their diploma in convocation hall. I know I won’t be getting a diploma in convocation hall, but still I have been there and I feel it would be just an a amazing venue to graduate in. So whether you are graduating Junior, Middle, High or Post-Secondary school congrats to the class of 2012!

That Is Why I Love Toronto.   

http://www.magazine.utoronto.ca/time-capsule/convocation-hall-construction-darling-and-pearson-suzanna-chang-u-of-t-history/

Why I Love Toronto Reason #262

Mount Pleasant Cemetery

Yeah, okay so loving a cemetery is a bit creepy I won’t lie, but Mount Pleasant is just a stunning cemetery with the most amazing tombstones and is the final resting place for some of Canada and Toronto’s most famous citizens. I like to think of it as Toronto’s version of Pere Lachaise Cemetery where Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde are buried. However unlike the one in Paris there weren’t maps to guide you to the famous resting places.

The cemetery is pretty big going from Yonge to Bayview and divided by Mount Pleasant Road – you can even see the cemetery from Davisville Station. Now the historical plaque for the cemetery (it is a national historical site) noted that 1874 the Toronto General Burying Grounds enlisted H. A. Engel Hardt to transform the ravine and farmland that is Mount Pleasant into grounds for a cemetery. Darling and Pearson (Old Bank of Commerce on Yonge) even designed the Mount Pleasant Mausoleum which is an absolutely stunning building. E.J. Lennox (Old City Hall, King Edward Hotel, Bank Of Toronto on Yonge & Casa Loma) built the Massey Family Crypt. An interesting thing to note is that the grounds are surrounded with rare trees from all over the world. It officially opened in 1876 and is one of the city’s oldest cemetery’s.

No there are some amazing grave stones small, large and average. There were some with benches where you could sit and stare at a headstone, there were one’s with angels, tall towers, there was even with the statue a little boy playing a violin and someone had put a pink wool knit hat on it. However, I think it is more famous for the famous people who are buried there. Below I will list some of them for you and why they were famous…

Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Godfrey Peuchen – a Titanic and World War One Survivor

Frederick Banting & Charles Best – founders of Insulin

Glenn Gould – The supposed  haunter of Fran’s on college and Musician extraordinaire

Gerhard Heintzman – you probably have seen or own one of his pianos

Timothy Eaton – we all know what he is famous for!

William McMaster – founder of McMaster University

 Robert Simpson – founder of Simpsons Department Store (flagship was on Queen Street which is now The Bay)

Edward S. Rogers sr. – founder of Rogers Communication

William Lyon Mackenzie King - Prime Minister

John A. Pearson – of Pearson and Darling Architects

Hart Massey – c’mon if you don’t know him you should really brush up on your Toronto History - plus his family might be haunting the Keg Mansion

Kenneth Thomson –was the richest man in Canada

It is a beautiful cemetery – its not creepy (well maybe at night) but still so many people bike and run through here because it is very peaceful.

That is Why I Love Toronto. 

Why I Love Toronto Reason #209

College Park

Sitting on the corner of Yonge and College is a building that used to house one of my favorite department stores Eaton’s, before the Canadian icon moved down to Yonge and Dundas into the (at the time) newly built Toronto Eaton Centre. The building is an example of Art Deco architecture and was built by some of our favorite architects Ross and Macdonald (Maple Leaf Gardens, Royal York Hotel [with Sproatt and Rolph] and Union Station) along with Henry Sproatt (Soldier’s Tower, Canada Permanent Trust Building/ CIBC Melon and Canada Life Building). Isn’t it awesome how all these architects are coming together!! 

Anyways, construction on the building started in 1928 and was completed in 1930 and opened by the Matriarch of the Family, Lady Eaton, in October. In the original plan of the complex a New-York Style skyscraper was meant to be built, but like all plans in this time – you guessed it – the depression halted them.

The building regardless has some amazing features including a Roman Arch (which is still there) at the Yonge Street Entrance, limestone on the exterior, monel metal to trim the windows and door frames as well as cast stone and carvings. The interior has columns made from marble and imported from Europe. Also the windows at street levels are massive to accommodate the large window displays for all those window shoppers going up and down Yonge.

The building was not only a hot spot for shopping but also had auditorium as well as a restaurant known as the Round Room. The Auditorium was a concert hall where beloved Glenn Gould performed (probably before he went to Fran’s to grab a bite to eat). However, reports also say that Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra as well as the National Ballet of Canada performed at the auditorium – that’s crazy! I wish we had department stores like this still! The auditorium could seat around 1300 people and was built by Jacques Carlu and today the seventh floor has been converted in the Carlu venue (which is so amazing and has such a whacky history that it needs its own post!).

After moving to TEC in 1977 the building was spared, sold and became what we know as College Park. The lower level which now houses a Metro, Winners and other stores maintained the art-deco look of Eaton’s and the upper floors are now office space and the seventh floor/ Carlu after a ton of drama was restored. However, soon you will only be able to see the building if you’re going south on Yonge as a new condo/ shopping complex is blocking the view you used to have of the building from the North.

Did you get all that! I know it’s a lot of history to take in, but its worth the read. Timothy Eaton was a mastermind and like I have said over and over again it is a shame his statue sits in the basement of the ROM and that his Eaton Department stores, which shaped Canadian retail, ceases to exist. Regardless we still have bits and pieces of the Eaton’s History and its places like College Park that keep that memory alive…

That is Why I Love Toronto.     

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/on-line-exhibits/architecture/record-eatons.aspx

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/on-line-exhibits/eatons-windows/index.aspx

http://lost-toronto.blogspot.ca/2011/01/eatons-college-store.html

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=7413

Why I Love Toronto on Boxing Day Reason #117

The Toronto Eaton Centre

Today the Eaton centre will probably be seeing the most traffic all year even though it already welcomes over a million people per day. But today is an extra special day where people step out and try to get the best deals possible with their Christmas money. TEC boasts as being the largest shopping mall in downtown Toronto, with 4 levels of shopping and a floor dedicated to a food court or as I call it reason #23! It is even the third largest shopping mall in Canada.

The mall is broken up into what I would call different dollar ranges. The top floor which houses stores like Michael Kors, Coach, Harry Rosen and Wilfred are more on the expensive side. The middle floor which has Victroia’s Secret, Bench, A|X and Scotch & Soda is a mid-price range area and the bottom floor is more affordable clothing for teens and such, with American Eagle Outfiters, Old Navy, Blue Notes and Costa Blanca. It is even big enough that it can have more than one store. It has 3 Aldo shoe stores and 2 Sources as well as Herzing College and part of Ryerson University.  

As you remember from reason #111 it has some amazing Christmas displays, but another permanent fixture it has is the Canada Geese that hang from the ceiling at the Queen Street Entrance. The art fixture is called Flight Stop by Michael Snow (and now his short form name is not Miike Snow like the electronic artist who sings Silvia). Other highlights include the shooting fountain in front of the Forever 21 and the Shuter entrance which for me architecturally is really neat.

The centre of course started with the now defunct Eaton’s Department store. Before the Eaton centre the Eaton’s was located at what is now called College Park, but wanted to make its presence more known in the downtown core as well as avoid the aging structure of college park. Well Eaton’s did just that and today Yonge/ Dundas is the most well know intersection in all of Toronto. The centre opened in two stages. In 1977 the north section was opened and two years later the south was complete. Over the years more new sections would emerge, with the H&M extension as well as the Ryerson, Canadian Tire, Joey’s and Best Buy expansion. It was designed by Ed Zeidler and was meant to imitate the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan with its glass roof. Apparently when it opened the Eaton’s location alone was nine floors high which I was not even aware of! When it was opened it was described as an indoor city of glass. Furthermore, when in the initial stages of building the centre there was the proposed demolition of reason #59 as well as the Holy Trinity Church which is now snuggled in the middle of the towering Eaton centre.  

So what’s next for TEC well Harry Rosen is relocating to where the McDonalds, Cultures and Grand and Toy once was at the south end to make it even bigger and more modern than its current location. Also the apple store which is always crazy busy is looking for a new location - but where?! Also there are big rumours that J. Crew will be opening in the old SportChek location on Yonge and Queen! Hopefully with a men’s department.

That is Why I Love Toronto on Boxing Day.

 http://www.toronto-travel-tips.com/toronto-eaton-centre.html

http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadiancities1/tp/tor_attractions.htm

http://www.blogto.com/city/2010/12/the_origins_of_the_eaton_centre/

Why I Love Toronto Reason #97

The Canon Ed Mirvish Theatre

For those who do not understand why I crossed out Canon, have clearly not been reading the newspaper lately, but that is understandable up until a few hours ago my head was in the works of Goffman, Gergen and Hoschild studying for an exam. Regardless after my exam Amee, Laura, Eugenie and I went to Blueberry Hill a bar/ diner thing at York’s Keele campus to have some celebratory beers, when on CP24 live at 5 it was announced that Canon Theatre would renamed after Ed Mirivish. Now there are only two men who I will acknowledge as being leaders to developing Toronto and giving it its history. The first man is immortalized in a statue in the basement of the ROM reason #24 , Timothy Eaton. The other is Ed Mirvish.

Everyone knows Mr. Mirvish he is the man behind Honest Ed’s in the Annex! Anyways a brief history on Mr. Mirvish’s life. He was the son of a grocer who opened up Honest Ed’s on the corner of Bloor and Bathurst. He also had an interest in the arts which led to the restoration of the Royal Alexandra Theatre (where I once worked), the building of the Princess of Wales Theatre and the revitalization of King Street where he opened restaurants so that after someone went to see his show they could enjoy dinner. This eventually lead Torontonians to dub the area the theatre district. He also owns the Panasonic and Canon/ now Ed Mirvish Theatre.

When you first look at the Ed Mirish Theatre (which I will now abbreviate to EMT) it looks really small and you wonder how can one have live theatre in such a small venue. Well that was my first impression anyways. The first time I went to the Canon was with Sanjana to see Wicked. Let me tell you even though it may look small on the outside the theatre is massive with beautiful grand staircase.

When the theatre opened in 1920 it ran under the name the Pantages and was a combination of Vaudeville and motion picture (Vaudeville seemed to be very popular back in the day! Do you recall Reason #76 and #93).  It was designed by Thomas W. Lamb who also built the Elgin Theatre down the street. It was the largest cinema in Canada with 3373 seats! At the time of course. It eventually lost its name because of a very sad/ disturbing story. Alexander Pantages who was behind the theatres was convicted of the rape of a minor and was sent to jail and eventually had his conviction overturn. Well this bad press ruined the Pantages name and it was sold off and became the Imperial, which was a movie theatre only. It was eventually turned into multiplex with 6 screens and operated by Famous Players. Eventually Cineplex came in and bought the Yonge Street entrance forcing Famous Players to sell, however Famous players fought it and eventually won an injunction preventing movies from being shown at the theatre ever again! Did you get all that? It’s more confusing than the Diane Jenkins murder Investigation on the Y&R.

To get back at Famous Players and to prove the land wasn’t a waste they began restoring the original design of the theatre and renamed it the Pantages and operated it as an actual live theatre like it is today. The first musical shown was the Phantom Of The Opera in 1989.

After a really long history it became the Canon theatre in 2001 after it was purchased by Clear Channel and then only a few years ago was it purchased by the Mirvish’s in 2008. And today Mr. Mirvish’s son announced that he would honour his father by naming the theatre after him.

When you go to the EMT you have to look at its grand lobby, vaulted ornate plaster ceilings, columns and grand staircase which I personally love and you will be shocked by the theatres size. The hallway provides one of the most beautiful walks ever, you feel as though the men should be dressed in suits and the women in the most beautiful ball gown fitting for an Oscar ceremony. I feel as though I should have broken out into a choreographed waltz. (ps I can’t get any photos of the inside but go here to check them out! http://mirvish.com/theatres/edmirvishtheatre)

So I love this building because it is beautifully designed, the size on the outside is misleading, it has a history that is fit for a soap opera, it has been renamed 5 times and the name it has today is that of one of this city’s most brilliant minds.

That Is Why I Love Toronto. 

Why I Love Toronto Reason #81

The Santa Claus Parade!!

Toronto, it’s time to get your Christmas trees out! Time to go on a ladder and string some lights around your house! Time to hang that garland and buy some egg nog! Because the holiday season has officially started! Now the retail world will lead you to believe Christmas starts right after thanksgiving – but no, I say it officially starts right after the Santa Claus Parade!!

As a child I loved going to the Santa Claus Parade seeing the floats and seeing Santa at the very end with his bearers picking up letters from all the children with their wishes of what they wanted for Christmas. Now I always had prime seats because my friend’s parent’s office was on the parade route so we would always go into his dads’ office move the conference tables to the window and sit on them while watching the Santa Claus Parade. Now this parade is actually really really old. It began in 1905 by Toronto/ Canada’s most influential man (I love this man so much I think he was a genius) Timothy Eaton. Eaton’s Department Store was its sponsor until 1982. The Parade has always managed to go on through the depression, and both World Wars. Santa always made a stop in Toronto no matter what, which to me gave not only children hope, but their parents as well. When Santa first came to Toronto he arrived at Union Station and walked with the Eaton’s to their flagship store.

When the parade began it was only one attraction and of course it was Santa. Eventually more floats, bands and footmen would be added to the event. The parade was once even a two day event starting in Newmarket and going all the way to Yonge Street in downtown Toronto.

In 1913 Santa was pulled on his sleigh by real reindeer from Labrador (which at the time was not even part of Canada).  In 1919 Santa arrived by plane on Eglinton Ave  – interesting mode of transportation for this jolly man and interesting place of arrival.

In 1917 we had Mother Goose make her first appearance at the parade.

In 1939 during the war costumes were made of paper because of shortages

In 1955 it rained on Santa for the first time! Not snow but rain! Today luckily even though rain was in the forecast there was no precipitation!

2011 Mrs. Claus gets her own float!!

Now I’ve always enjoyed mother goose, the coca-cola polar bear float and the clowns who walk on their hands – which I actually thought they did walk on their hands, which inspired me to try and walk on my hands which eventually led to multiple bruises all over my body.

This parade is the beginning of Christmas for many of us, its not the holiday windows at Holt Renfrew, but it is the welcoming of Santa where the lists of kids are given to the Jolly old man and for many it is a sign that Christmas is coming. This is a huge tradition and I bet you every kid in Toronto has been to the parade at least once and has given Santa a letter.

So for those of you have been to the parade and have given Santa a letter reblog this post! Spread the holiday cheer and when you do, mention your favorite float and the one thing you can remember putting on your list for Christmas, so instead of ending with my usual signature I say

Happy Holidays To The City I Love!  

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/24581—the-history-of-toronto-s-santa-claus-parade