Jeremy Hopkin

Jeremy Hopkin Toronto History Aficionado, Artist & Graphic Designer, Ambassador of Motorista Studio, Proud Husband & Father

TMLX23 rocked! Thanks Toronto Mike and all of you fine FOTMs for a great evening! ♥️🍻♥️
09/29/2026

TMLX23 rocked! Thanks Toronto Mike and all of you fine FOTMs for a great evening! ♥️🍻♥️

Toronto, Sept. 28, 1907: The Knapp “Roller Boat” broke loose from her moorings at Polson Iron Works and crashed into the...
09/28/2026

Toronto, Sept. 28, 1907: The Knapp “Roller Boat” broke loose from her moorings at Polson Iron Works and crashed into the nearby steamship Turbina. Remarkably, Turbina suffered little damage, and her crew quickly secured the derelict vessel at the city dock.

Invented by Frederick A. Knapp, the cigar-shaped Roller Boat first sailed Lake Ontario in 1897. Rather than pushing through the water like a conventional ship, Knapp designed it to “roll” sideways across the surface, much like a giant rolling pin, in an attempt to reduce drag.

The idea never worked as hoped. After several unsuccessful modifications and an attempt to convert the vessel into a coal barge, the Roller Boat was abandoned at Polson Pier.

Its rusting hull eventually disappeared beneath tons of fill used to construct the Union Station railway viaduct in 1933. What remains of Toronto’s strange experiment in naval engineering is still buried somewhere beneath the waterfront between Jarvis Street and Sherbourne Avenue.

Toronto, 57 years ago today: The Ontario Science Centre opened its doors to the general public in Don Mills on September...
09/28/2026

Toronto, 57 years ago today: The Ontario Science Centre opened its doors to the general public in Don Mills on September 28, 1969.

Designed by renowned architect Raymond Moriyama, the Science Centre was one of the first interactive science museums in the world, introducing generations of visitors to a very different way of experiencing science. Moriyama believed the building itself was designed to last more than 250 years with proper maintenance.

Then, on June 21, 2024, the provincial government abruptly closed the building, citing deteriorating roof panels and the potential for roof failure under heavy snow.

The building is still standing. Its roof made it through major rainfall in 2024 and, most notably, Toronto’s record-breaking snowfall in January 2026 without any publicly reported collapse. Critics have continued to question the reasoning behind the closure, particularly because the engineering material identified options other than shutting the entire building.

Designed to last for centuries but closed after 55 years. Still standing at 57. Happy anniversary to one of Toronto’s most remarkable buildings. 🧪🏛️

Congratulations ⁨to Mitch Bubulj⁩ & ⁨Ted De Welles of the Leaside Historical Preservation Society for creating & sharing...
09/28/2026

Congratulations ⁨to Mitch Bubulj⁩ & ⁨Ted De Welles of the Leaside Historical Preservation Society for creating & sharing a fine presentation on Research Enterprises Limited today at the Amsterdam Brewhall.

This Leaside industry was an invaluable supplier to the allied effort during WWII with the manufacture of optical and radar detection systems.

Happy to be a part of the LHPS team, and to catch up with Leasiders that I hadn’t seen in a while.

I’ve recorded the full history presentation and will post it on my YouTube channel soon. Thanks Mitch for bringing me up on the mic to say a few words about my secretive Great Aunt Hazel, who worked at REL. 😀

A huge thanks to Amsterdam Brewery and Leaside Life for all of your support with this effort!!!

Also, a big thank you from the LHPS goes out to everyone who purchased our new 1913 Leaside L***r - It is now completely SOLD OUT!!! 🍻

RIGHT NOW! The Leaside Heritage Preservation Society is presenting a special historical talk & social at the Amsterdam B...
09/27/2026

RIGHT NOW! The Leaside Heritage Preservation Society is presenting a special historical talk & social at the Amsterdam Brewhall, and you’re invited! 😃

The talk begins around 3, so there’s still some time to get here!

🗓️ Sunday, September 27
🕔 2pm -5pm
📍 45 Esandar Drive *
🎟️ FREE

Come for the fun… Stay for the
history… Leave with great memories!

- Mix and mingle with people who love our
community and its past.

- Hear about Leaside’s largest employer during WW2,
Research Enterprises Ltd.

- Sample and purchase the new Limited Edition 1913 Leaside L***r b**r. (Cash only — $22 per 6-pack)

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

*Not the Amsterdam on Laird Drive, but behind Longo’s, next to Sky Zone.

The Canadian Pacific Railway’s newly-built John Street Roundhouse in Toronto - Sept. 26, 1929.A National Historic Site s...
09/27/2026

The Canadian Pacific Railway’s newly-built John Street Roundhouse in Toronto - Sept. 26, 1929.

A National Historic Site since 1990, the structure is now home to the Toronto Railway Museum, Steam Whistle Brewing and The Rec Room.

Today, it was wonderful to see the work of my friend Brandon Steen featured among an impressive mix of new and historica...
09/27/2026

Today, it was wonderful to see the work of my friend Brandon Steen featured among an impressive mix of new and historical art depicting Toronto at the opening of “Toronto: An Evolving Landscape”, a new exhibition at Roberts Gallery.

A fascinating look at Toronto through the eyes of artists, past and present.

More info:
https://www.robertsgallery.net/exhibition/toronto-an-evolving-landscape/

The Leaside Heritage Preservation Society is presenting a special historical talk & social at the Amsterdam Brewhall, an...
09/25/2026

The Leaside Heritage Preservation Society is presenting a special historical talk & social at the Amsterdam Brewhall, and you're invited! 😃

🗓️ Sunday, September 27
🕔 2pm -5pm
📍 45 Esandar Drive *
🎟️ FREE

Come for the fun… Stay for the
history… Leave with great memories!

- Mix and mingle with people who love our
community and its past.

- Hear about Leaside’s largest employer during WW2,
Research Enterprises Ltd.

- Sample and purchase the new Limited Edition 1913 Leaside L***r b**r. (Cash only -- $22 per 6-pack)

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

*Not the Amsterdam on Laird Drive, but behind Longo’s, next to Sky Zone.

“Opposite My Studio, Bedford Park” - circa 1926Artist: Arthur Lismer (1885-1969)Medium: OilsArthur Lismer CC RCA was an ...
09/25/2026

“Opposite My Studio, Bedford Park” - circa 1926

Artist: Arthur Lismer (1885-1969)
Medium: Oils

Arthur Lismer CC RCA was an English born-Canadian painter, member of the Group of Seven and educator. His home and studio in the 1920s was at 69 Bedford Park Ave. in Toronto.

09/25/2026

Toronto, 110 years ago today: Building the Bloor Viaduct over the Don River, Sept. 25, 1916.

I digitally edited three separate City of Toronto Archives images together to create this panorama.

Address

West

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Jeremy Hopkin posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Jeremy Hopkin:

Shortcuts

Share