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08/19/2026

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The Republic of Rathnelly is a quirky, historic midtown neighbourhood in Toronto bounded by Avenue Road, Poplar Plains Road, and the railway tracks near Casa Loma. It famously declared independence from Canada in 1967, as a protest against urban expressway plans such as the Spadina Expressway and Crosstown Expressway.

Join our history club to learn about your city. Go to https://insidertoronto.ca/Toronto Street is a short, historic thor...
08/19/2026

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Go to https://insidertoronto.ca/

Toronto Street is a short, historic thoroughfare in downtown Toronto, running north-south between King Street East and Adelaide Street East. In the 19th century, it served as Canada’s premier financial corridor.

It was considered an architectural jewel, lined with grand, palace-like stone banks, ornate insurance offices, and government buildings. Much of this magnificence was lost to 1950s and 1960s demolition and modern redevelopment.

The building at the end of the street (top photo) is the General Post Office. Built in 1874, this grand structure was widely regarded as the most elegant building in early Toronto before its demolition in 1958.

Join our history club to learn about your city. Go to insidertoronto.caDid you know these facts about Old City Hall? ...
08/19/2026

Join our history club to learn about your city. Go to insidertoronto.ca

Did you know these facts about Old City Hall?

08/18/2026

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Toronto’s first regular island ferry service, launched in 1833, was a wooden “horse boat” powered by two to five horses walking on a circular deck treadmill connected to side paddle wheels. Crossing the harbor took about 30 to 40 minutes before steam-powered vessels replaced them around 1850.

08/18/2026

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The Republic of Rathnelly is one of Toronto's strangest hidden stories.

In 1967, residents of a small neighbourhood near Casa Loma symbolically declared independence from Canada. They created their own flag, issued passports, crowned a queen, formed a broom-wielding army of local children, and even asked the Canadian government for foreign aid.

But behind the humour was a serious fight over the future of Toronto.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Toronto planned a massive network of expressways that would have cut through established neighbourhoods on the way downtown. The proposed Spadina Expressway threatened communities across the city, including Rathnelly.

Residents fought back, and the Republic of Rathnelly became one of the most unusual parts of Toronto's growing anti-expressway movement.

Join our history club to learn about your city. Go to insidertoronto.ca9 TTC facts that sound fake but are true! ...
08/18/2026

Join our history club to learn about your city. Go to insidertoronto.ca

9 TTC facts that sound fake but are true!

08/17/2026

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Toronto’s famous Half House at 54 ½ St. Patrick Street is a strange architectural survivor from the 1890s. It was sliced in half when the owners refused to sell and developers tore down the attached building next door, leaving an iconic piece of urban history.

The reflective gold glass of Royal Bank Plaza captures iconic downtown landmarks like the CN Tower and Union Station.Joi...
08/17/2026

The reflective gold glass of Royal Bank Plaza captures iconic downtown landmarks like the CN Tower and Union Station.

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Join our history club to learn about your city. Go to insidertoronto.caThis is one of the most interesting maps of Toron...
08/17/2026

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This is one of the most interesting maps of Toronto.

Join our history club to learn about your city. Go to insidertoronto.caWhat did Yorkdale look like in the 60s?
08/16/2026

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What did Yorkdale look like in the 60s?

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