January 2017
It was in 1911 that Toronto first benefitted from technology that would eventually allow for today’s city of high-rise condos.
That was the day, 106 years ago, when electricity came to Toronto. The Toronto Hydro-Electric System, and the era of economical electricity, was born.
No other technological innovation or development has had a greater impact on the city or its residents.
It took three years to build the system that would transport electricity from Niagara Falls to Toronto.
While the city had electricity for about 30 years by that time, it was still a time of gas lamps. Homeowners were less than enthused with electricity at the time. It was expensive and unfamiliar. Gas stoves and iceboxes were preferred.
Toronto changed in dramatic ways because of access to electricity.
Casa Loma, in 1914, was one of the first homes to have electric lights. Electric irons became one of the first popular electric appliances. The first traffic lights were installed at Bloor and Yonge in 1925.
Evening sporting events became more popular. Maple Leaf Gardens could not have existed without access to electricity.
It was in the 1960s when electric appliances became commonplace.
2003, the year of the largest blackout in North America, reminded Toronto of the importance of electricity to modern living.
Today’s high-rise condo buildings require elevators. Heat, air conditioning, lighting and water must be available throughout the building.
None of this would be possible without electricity.
