Sod turning ceremony for Convocation Hall, U. of T. 1904 by Galbraith Photo Co., Toronto
Toronto. Photo historians are blessed with a rich source of photographic history – a community archive of photographs from long ago local studios. The names and often addresses paint a picture of the community as it grew. Verification can often be accomplished with the city directories of the time (they were usually printed once a year replete with advertisements).
The photograph here is from the University of Toronto archives and shows the, “Sod turning ceremony for Convocation Hall“. This photo was taken in 1904 by, “Galbraith Photo Co., Toronto”. The description reads, “John Hoskin, chairman of the board, turns the sod. R.A. Reeve, president of the Alumni Association and dean of the faculty of medicine holds the wheelbarrow.”. George spotted the fellow to the left side of the enlarged photo with a shovel ready to take over once the photo-op of the dignitaries ended.
Our late editor, Bob Lansdale, has photographs in the U of T archives. Bob once discovered a cluster of studios in the Yonge Street and King Street area in the mid to late 1800s.
My thanks to good friend George Dunbar, for his diligent search of local archives and his generosity in sharing his finds with us. So dig into your local archive fonds and learn about your community’s history! Enjoy.
