Built in 1931 to provide a new home for Toronto’s professional hockey team, Maple Leaf Gardens has been the site of just about every conceivable event that draws an audience— from circuses to religious revival rallies.

Everybody who has claim to fame has been seen at the Gardens. The Toronto Maple Leaf uniform was worn by hockey icons Charlie Conacher, Busher Jackson, Red Horner, King Clancy, Syl Apps, Red Kelly and Ted Kennedy. Joe Louis boxed a match in 1935, and Mohammad Ali defended his heavyweight title against George Chuvalo. Gene Autry and Roy Rogers made rodeo appearances, the Dionne Quintuplets appeared at a victory bond rally and patriots purchased war saving stamps for seats to the first Bob Hope Show of 1944. Virtually every big band has performed there as well as the Red Army Chorus, the Metropolitan and Canadian Opera companies, the Bolshoi Ballet and the Moiseyev Ballet....

The Gardens was built largely because of Toronto businessman Conn Smythe. Foster Hewitt began broadcasting hockey in 1923 and his enthusiastic play-by-play announcements for the next 60 years popularized the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Gardens became a national shrine.

Work on the $1.5 million building started May 1, 1931. Up to 1,300 men were employed. Smythe, short of money, persuaded workers and suppliers to accept Garden shares for up to 20 percent of what they were owed, a move that handsomely rewarded those who retained the stock. Seven months later, on November 12, 1931, the doors were opened to more than 13,000 fans paying ninety-five cents to $2.75 for seats; the only letdown was a Chicago victory. But at season’s end in April 1932, the glorious Leafs won the Stanley Cup, the first of 11 since playing in the Gardens.

1. Princess Elizabeth is introduced to Captain Ted Kennedy by builder Conn Smythe in 1951 (courtesy /Turofsky Collection/Canada Hockey Hall of Fame) 2. Prince Andrew meets Harold Ballard, Toronto Maple Leafs owner, 1977. (courtesy Jeff Goode / Toronto Star)

While hockey was the backbone of Garden activities, the building soon became centre stage for other events. Churchill gave a public lecture in 1932, followed by such notables as Aimee Semple MacPherson in 1934, Admiral Richard Byrd in 1935, Wendell Wilkie during a World War II rally, and Billy Graham with Toronto’s Charles Templeton in 1946. Mackenzie King of the Liberals and Sir Robert Borden, the Conservative prime minister, spoke on consecutive nights in October 1935 just prior to the federal election. Every national leader since has been involved in political activities at the historic site.

The programs over the years have reflected changing tastes and public demand. Six-day bicycle races were the rage of the ’30s, victory bond rallies highlighted the ’40s, and circuses and ice shows have been popular for decades. Rock and music concerts featuring such stars as Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Sinatra, Luciano Pavarotti, Vera Lynn, Jack Benny and the Boston Pops have entertained audiences in the Gardens since the ’50s. The Beatles played two shows before a total of 36,000 fans on September 7, 1964.

It is little wonder that Toronto City Council declared the “House that Smythe Built” an historic site, not so much because a decisive battle of the Mackenzie Rebellion was fought on the site in 1837 but because the Gardens has reigned for 60 years as one of the great sporting and cultural centres in all of Canada.

The Board of Directors continues treasured traditions established by predecessors while anticipating a future upholding a proud legacy.