Let your imagination soar with Toronto's aviation history

Settle in on a cold winter's day with our newest digital story, and journey back to a time when taking to the skies was a thrill reserved for the brave few—and Toronto was at the centre of it. Taking Flight, explores the daring early aviators, spectacular waterfront airshows, and historic seaplane journeys that helped shape Toronto’s aviation age.

From the city’s first public flight in 1909, to flying boats racing across the harbour, to the rise of airmail, and the creation of the Toronto Island Airport, this digital story traces the remarkable innovations that transformed the waterfront into a hub of aviation excitement and possibility.

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This story was researched and written by Emerging Historian Shannon Buskermolen and made possible by the generous support of our Tours Program Presenting Sponsor, TD Bank through the TD Ready Commitment, and PortsToronto.

A group of people gather along a paved sidewalk and look toward a person dressed in blue and turned away from the camera. That person in the centre is gesturing with their arms up in the air.

TOURS

Lead a tour in 2026

Love exploring the city on foot? Have a story about your neighbourhood or community you’re eager to share? We invite you to submit a proposal to become a volunteer tour leader for our 2026 Tours season! We welcome creative tour ideas that spotlight overlooked histories, celebrate local communities, or offer a fresh look at Toronto’s past and present. Walks in all parts of the city will be considered.

Proposals will be accepted online until January 31, 2026.

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Four people stand around a plaque while the second person from the left removed a white tarp with Heritage Toronto logos from the plaque. The person on the far left is clapping and everyone depicted is smiling.

PLAQUES

What connects hockey, bombs and war?

For Remembrance Day, we unveiled our newest plaque about the Bomb Girls with historian Barbara Dickson and Councillor Parthi Kandavel. This plaque honours Scarborough's 17,000 women who took on dangerous munitions work to support Canada's war efforts.

See Bomb Girls at 17 Civic Road, adding to our growing collection of plaques, including another two installed this last month:

Scarboro Arena Gardens under-construction, c. 1950

Scarboro Arena Gardens

75 Birchmount Road

The first purpose-built hockey arena in the City of Scarborough, it was also one of the largest ice surfaces in Canada when it was built in 1951. Fun fact: The site was used as the exterior of the Hamilton Mustangs' rink for the 1986 movie Youngblood, featuring Keanu Reeves!

Edward Cecil-Smith in Spain, c. 1938.

Edward Cecil Smith

54 Maitland Street

The highest-ranking Canadian, he fought for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War against the fascist-backed Nationalists. To raise awareness about the imprisonment of Communist Party leadership in Kingston, Ontario, Cecil Smith co-wrote the play Eight Men Speak, which was banned by authorities for its pro-Communist message.

Close up of people sitting in auditorium chairs and laughing while conversing with each other. Five people can be seen interacting in the foreground with more people in the background partially seen.

SUPPORT

Celebrating your impact as heritage champions

On December 2, our community of donors and supporters enjoyed an exclusive screening of A Thing of Beauty: The Early Years of Toronto’s Old City Hall. After the viewing, in an engaging conversation about the future of this beloved Toronto landmark, director and producer Michael Kainer shared the early history of Old City Hall—its architecture, civic importance, and the passionate efforts to preserve it.

From donors and volunteers to our passionate community members, your support makes our work possible. Events like this are just one of the ways we celebrate and thank you—our supporters. If you’d like to be part of these exclusive opportunities, and help ensure Toronto’s stories continue to be told, become a donor today.

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HERITAGE HAPPENINGS

Fire that destroyed Toronto’s historic St. Anne’s church now suspected to be arson

Toronto Police now suspect arson in the 2024 fire that destroyed St. Anne’s Anglican Church and its rare Group of Seven murals, as the congregation continues rebuilding efforts for the site. (Toronto Star)

Longtime plan to plop towers onto century-old Toronto landmark back from the dead

Redevelopment plans for the century-old Dominion Public Building at 1 Front Street West have resurfaced, with updated designs advancing a two-tower addition atop the historic landmark. (BlogTO)

Toronto's iconic Imperial Pub closes its doors after 81 years

After 81 years, Toronto’s iconic Imperial Pub has closed its doors as the site is redeveloped for a new Toronto Metropolitan University residence. (CBC News)

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Image Credits

Airport during the day, c. 1960s. PortsToronto Archives.

St. Lawrence Hall, Firsts on Front Street tour, July 19, 2025. Image by Hammad Khalil.

Bomb Girls plaque unveiling, Toronto, November 10, 2025.

Audience at Old City Hall film screening, December 2, 2025. Image by Hammad Khalil.