---
date: '2025-11-08'
description: a city of neighborhoods, stories, and endless discovery, a guide, for a friend
id: toronto
layout: lydia
modified: 2026-06-05 16:52:41 GMT-04:00
noindex: true
permalinks:
  - /lyd
tags:
  - postcards
  - evergreen
title: postcards, toronto.
transclude:
  dynalist: false
created: '2025-11-08'
published: '2025-11-08'
pageLayout: lydia
slug: lyd
permalink: https://aarnphm.xyz/lyd.md
generator:
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  hostedProvider: Cloudflare
  baseUrl: aarnphm.xyz
full: https://aarnphm.xyz/llms-full.txt
---
<div class="timeline-container">
  <div class="timeline-item" data-year="1793" data-type="history" data-hover-text="Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe named the settlement 'York' after Prince Frederick, Duke of York. The town consisted of just 10 square blocks and a population of a few hundred. Simcoe lived in a tent—Captain Cook's South Sea expedition canvas house—while Fort York was being constructed." data-map-url="https://www.toronto.ca/ext/archives/s0726/s0726_it0001.jpg">
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      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
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      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <img src="/thoughts/images/york-1793.ignore.jpg" alt="Map of York in 1793 showing the original settlement" />
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="place" data-lat="43.65404" data-lon="-79.40043">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M12 2C8.13 2 5 5.13 5 9c0 5.25 7 13 7 13s7-7.75 7-13c0-3.87-3.13-7-7-7zm0 9.5c-1.38 0-2.5-1.12-2.5-2.5s1.12-2.5 2.5-2.5 2.5 1.12 2.5 2.5-1.12 2.5-2.5 2.5z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>kensington market</h3>
      <p>A bohemian neighborhood filled with vintage shops, cafes, and diverse food vendors. Perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll.</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item" data-year="1813" data-type="history" data-hover-text="On April 27, 1813, American forces invaded and burned York (Toronto), including the Parliament buildings. This attack later prompted the British burning of Washington, D.C. in 1814. The city suffered significant damage but was rebuilt.">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
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    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <img src="/thoughts/images/battle-of-york-1813.ignore.jpg" alt="US ships arriving in York harbor before the Battle of York, 1813" />
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="food" data-lat="43.669991" data-lon="-79.429848">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M11 9H9V2H7v7H5V2H3v7c0 2.12 1.66 3.84 3.75 3.97V22h2.5v-9.03C11.34 12.84 13 11.12 13 9V2h-2v7zm5-3v8h2.5v8H21V2c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 4z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>rooms coffee</h3>
      <p>915 Dupont Street. A cozy neighborhood cafe serving exceptional coffee and pastries in a warm, intimate setting.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="food" data-lat="43.645043" data-lon="-79.416021">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M11 9H9V2H7v7H5V2H3v7c0 2.12 1.66 3.84 3.75 3.97V22h2.5v-9.03C11.34 12.84 13 11.12 13 9V2h-2v7zm5-3v8h2.5v8H21V2c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 4z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>henry's</h3>
      <p>Intimate French bistro specializing in charcuterie, house-made terrines, and an expertly curated wine list. A hidden gem for European-style dining.</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item" data-year="1834" data-type="history" data-hover-text="When York became Toronto on March 6, 1834, the population was only 9,000. The name 'Toronto' likely derives from the Mohawk 'tkaronto' meaning 'where there are trees standing in the water.' William Lyon Mackenzie, a fiery Scottish-born journalist and reformer, became the first mayor." data-map-url="https://www.toronto.ca/ext/archives/s0725/s0725_it0083.jpg">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
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      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <img src="/thoughts/images/toronto-1834.ignore.jpg" alt="Historical map of Toronto in 1834" />
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="place" data-lat="43.649994" data-lon="-79.359634">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M12 2C8.13 2 5 5.13 5 9c0 5.25 7 13 7 13s7-7.75 7-13c0-3.87-3.13-7-7-7zm0 9.5c-1.38 0-2.5-1.12-2.5-2.5s1.12-2.5 2.5-2.5 2.5 1.12 2.5 2.5-1.12 2.5-2.5 2.5z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>distillery district</h3>
      <p>Historic cobblestone streets lined with Victorian-era buildings now housing art galleries, restaurants, and boutiques.</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item" data-year="1904" data-type="history" data-hover-text="The fire started just after 8 PM on April 19th in the E. & S. Currie Neckwear factory elevator shaft at 58 Wellington Street West. It burned for 9 hours, destroying 104 buildings and causing $10.3 million in damage (equivalent to $1.3 billion today). Remarkably, there were no deaths." data-image-url="https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/online-exhibits/web-exhibits/web-exhibits-significant-events/the-great-fire-of-1904/">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
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      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <img src="/thoughts/images/great-fire-1904.ignore.jpg" alt="Bay Street looking north after the Great Fire of 1904" />
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="food" data-lat="43.648654" data-lon="-79.374684">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M11 9H9V2H7v7H5V2H3v7c0 2.12 1.66 3.84 3.75 3.97V22h2.5v-9.03C11.34 12.84 13 11.12 13 9V2h-2v7zm5-3v8h2.5v8H21V2c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 4z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>resevoir lounge</h3>
      <p>toronto's original swing-jazz speakeasy. jazz, blues, soul they got it all.</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item" data-year="1954" data-type="history" data-hover-text="Hurricane Hazel hit Toronto on October 15, 1954, after days of autumn rain. The storm dumped 285mm of rain in 48 hours. The Humber River became a raging torrent that swept away entire homes. 81 people died in the GTA, including 32 on Raymore Drive when the street collapsed into the river. The disaster led to strict floodplain regulations." data-image-url="https://trca.ca/news/hurricane-hazel-70-years/">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"/>
        <path d="M12 6v6l4 2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <img src="/thoughts/images/hurricane-hazel-1954.ignore.jpg" alt="Flooded neighborhood in aftermath of Hurricane Hazel" />
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="food" data-lat="43.647938" data-lon="-79.383555">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M11 9H9V2H7v7H5V2H3v7c0 2.12 1.66 3.84 3.75 3.97V22h2.5v-9.03C11.34 12.84 13 11.12 13 9V2h-2v7zm5-3v8h2.5v8H21V2c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 4z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>ratelier</h3>
      <p>Modern art galleries blend with cozy coffee shops. Hosting perfume workshops.</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="place" data-lat="43.655388" data-lon="-79.45683">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M12 2C8.13 2 5 5.13 5 9c0 5.25 7 13 7 13s7-7.75 7-13c0-3.87-3.13-7-7-7zm0 9.5c-1.38 0-2.5-1.12-2.5-2.5s1.12-2.5 2.5-2.5 2.5 1.12 2.5 2.5-1.12 2.5-2.5 2.5z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>high park</h3>
      <p>Toronto's largest public park featuring hiking trails, a zoo, cherry blossoms in spring, and beautiful lakeside views.</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item" data-year="1976" data-type="history" data-hover-text="When completed on June 26, 1976, the CN Tower was the world's tallest free-standing structure at 553.3 meters. It held this record for 32 years. The tower was built using a revolutionary slip-form technique—concrete was poured continuously 24 hours a day. The final piece, a 102-meter antenna, was lifted by helicopter in 36 sections." data-image-url="https://torontolife.com/city/twelve-amazing-photos-cn-tower-built/">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"/>
        <path d="M12 6v6l4 2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <img src="/thoughts/images/cn-tower-1976.ignore.jpg" alt="CN Tower under construction in the 1970s" />
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="food" data-lat="43.646956" data-lon="-79.424032">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M11 9H9V2H7v7H5V2H3v7c0 2.12 1.66 3.84 3.75 3.97V22h2.5v-9.03C11.34 12.84 13 11.12 13 9V2h-2v7zm5-3v8h2.5v8H21V2c-2.76 0-5 2.24-5 4z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>bernhardt's</h3>
      <p>Neighborhood bar and restaurant serving creative comfort food and craft cocktails in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere perfect for any occasion.</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item" data-year="1998" data-type="history" data-hover-text="On January 1, 1998, Metropolitan Toronto and its six municipalities—Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, York, and East York—were forcibly amalgamated. The move was intensely controversial: 76% of Toronto voters rejected it in a referendum, but the province proceeded anyway. The merger created Canada's largest city with 2.4 million people." data-map-url="https://schoolofcities.github.io/historical-aerial-imagery-toronto/">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"/>
        <path d="M12 6v6l4 2" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <img src="/thoughts/images/toronto-amalgamation-1988.ignore.jpg" alt="Toronto amalgamation in 1988" /> </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="place" data-lat="43.667795" data-lon="-79.394212">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M12 2C8.13 2 5 5.13 5 9c0 5.25 7 13 7 13s7-7.75 7-13c0-3.87-3.13-7-7-7zm0 9.5c-1.38 0-2.5-1.12-2.5-2.5s1.12-2.5 2.5-2.5 2.5 1.12 2.5 2.5-1.12 2.5-2.5 2.5z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>royal ontario museum</h3>
      <p>One of North America's largest museums, showcasing art, culture, and natural history from around the world.</p>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item" data-year="2010" data-type="history" data-hover-text="By 2010, Toronto had transformed into a global cultural powerhouse. TIFF became the world's most important public film festival. Drake's 'Thank Me Later' put Toronto hip-hop on the global map. The city's restaurant scene exploded with internationally-recognized chefs. Neo Toronto AKA non-existent tech scene 😅. The Raptors would win the NBA Championship in 2019.">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
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      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <img src="/thoughts/images/toronto-skyline-2010.ignore.jpg" alt="Modern Toronto skyline reflecting the city's cultural renaissance" />
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="timeline-item timeline-left" data-type="food" data-lat="43.647781" data-lon="-79.371609">
    <div class="timeline-marker">
      <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
        <path d="M2 21h19v-3H2v3zM20 8H4V6h16v2zm-1-5H5l-2 2h18l-2-2zM18 14.5c0 1.93-1.57 3.5-3.5 3.5S11 16.43 11 14.5s1.57-3.5 3.5-3.5 3.5 1.57 3.5 3.5z" fill="currentColor"/>
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div class="timeline-content">
      <h3>st. lawrence market & balzac's coffee</h3>
      <p>Historic market with amazing peameal bacon sandwiches. Balzac's Coffee, a local roaster with locations across the city.</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>