Toronto in the 1920s functioned as a major center for industry and travel in Canada. The city population increased as workers arrived for factory jobs in the manufacturing districts. In 1927, the Prince of Wales officially opened Union Station. This grand transit hub used a stone design to manage the growing railway network. The Royal York Hotel followed in 1929 and stood as the tallest building in the British Empire. This building reached twenty-eight stories high and dominated the city skyline with its massive copper roof.
Summer at Sunnyside
Sunnyside Amusement Park provided the main source of summer entertainment for residents. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, it featured a boardwalk and a large outdoor swimming pool. People gathered at the waterfront to listen to live jazz bands in the dance halls. Families used the athletic facilities and the bathing pavilion daily to escape the heat of the city. The park remained the social heart of the waterfront throughout the decade.
The Great Depression and Relief Projects
The 1930s brought the Great Depression and significant economic struggle to the city. Unemployment rose as factories closed their doors. Many people relied on soup kitchens for their daily meals. The city launched relief programs to build public infrastructure. Men worked on bridges and parks to earn enough to support their families. They built the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant during this time. This facility was the largest and most expensive project of its kind in the city.
Maple Leaf Gardens and Hockey
In 1931, Conn Smythe oversaw the construction of Maple Leaf Gardens. The arena was built in less than half a year. It provided a new home for the city’s hockey team and hosted various community events. The project employed hundreds of workers who labored in shifts around the clock. The first game took place on November 12, 1931, against the Chicago Blackhawks in front of a sold-out crowd.
