1960s

Bathurst Manor Plaza – CIBC Robbery

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July 24, 1964

On July 24, 1964, Matthew Kerry Smith, (24) robbed the CIBC branch on Wilmington Avenue. , As a disguise, Kerry wore a Beatle wig sold in Toronto dime stores that summer during Beatlemania.

During the robbery, Jack Blanc, (58) was shot and killed. Blanc, a fur cutter and a former Canadian and Israeli Army veteran was a customer in the bank and took the bank’s revolver from an employee and pursued Smith into the street, not knowing the revolver had only four rounds loaded in it.

Smith who was armed with a handgun and a military FN assault rifle, shot Blanc dead in the exchange of gunfire.

A manhunt ensued for the “Beatle Bandit”. He was captured in January 1965 with great fanfare. He was sentenced to death, but sentence was commuted as per practice then.

3 thoughts on “Bathurst Manor Plaza – CIBC Robbery”

  1. Paul Truster Some of these don’t appear to have been published previously, do you have any information on the source? or the identity of the man and woman walking west up Overbrook Place? Thanks!Reply
    1. FV-Jay Many were not published but were located in the archives of the Toronto Star. I have no details on who the people are in the photos.Reply
  2. Paul Truster Thanks very much for the prompt reply! There are also unpublished photo negatives in the Toronto Telegram archives up at York University.Reply
1960s, Landmarks, Skiing / Ski Club

Ski Club

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In 1964, Bert learned of an opportunity to secure fill removed for the construction of the Spadina Expressway. The fill was essentially free and created yet another source of revenue – this time during the winter months.

An aerial shot showing the fill after delivery in 1964:

Photos from the top of the hill after fill was delivered:

Winter 1964:

An aerial photo from 1966 showing the ski lift:

In 1965, a ski lift was added and operations began. 

Mon 8-4-2014 3-36-02 PM

Here is a video from 1965 showing the first year of operation:

Thanks to Jon Fine for the original 8mm film.

In order to serve patrons, a temporary building was used as a “Pro Shop”:

Snow-making equipment was also used:

The program was run as a private “club” due to zoning regulations, but anyone could join. A ski lift was built and the operation continued through the 1970’s when the land at the top of the hill was sold for development. Bert continued to own several lots at the top of the hill until the late 1990’s.

Several items from The Toronto Star pertaining to the new Ski operations at Forest Valley:

February 26, 1965:

feb261965hill

February 1, 1965:

A Ski Report listing conditions for Forest Valley. February 24, 1966:

feb241966-2

An invitation to students to visit Forest Valley on a school holiday.  February 24, 1966:

1970s, 1980s

G. Ross Lord Dam

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Before the G. Ross Lord Dam was built – just north of camp – the level of the river changed regularly with the rainfall.   When water levels were low, the river was accessible for camp activities.  However, there were also dangers. After storms, the river would run very fast and very high and signs were posted warning campers and staff to stay away.

After the dam was built in 1973, the water was kept at a consistently higher level and the river essentially became off limits to camp activities.

The following aerial photos show camp before and after construction of the G. Ross Lord Dam:

Before After Dam

dam

1950s, Swim, Swim Club

Locker Baskets

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After the T-Pool locker room was built, approximately 400 wire baskets were purchased to fit inside the lockers.

These baskets were initially used by Swim Club members in the 1960’s.  After the Swim Club closed in the 70’s, some of these baskets continued to be used in the locker room by campers.  A large number were stored away in the various swim buildings, but some found other uses around camp.

Many were used in Central Supply.  Cabin requisitions were filled and placed in the baskets. Consellors would pick up the baskets and return them – along with any left-over materials – when they were finished their activites.

These are 2 of the actual baskets purchased in 1959:

 Some baskets were used to store documents, like this one marked “SEPT 1976”:

 This basket shows the original numbered badge.  The baskets – made by Andrews Wire Works in Watford, Ontario – were originally bare metal.  Some time after they were purchased, many were painted blue.  This paint has almost fully worn off:

1980s, Buses

Bus Routes – July 1993

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These are the actual turn-by-turn routes for the large school buses in July 1993.

BUS A

A.M. ROUTE  – JULY 1993

 

ARRIVE 8:20 a.m. at 37 Worth Blvd. FACING EAST

After pick-up, follow Worth to Westmount Blvd.

RIGHT on Westmount, follow to Savoy Cres.

RIGHT on Savoy for 90, follow around to Westmount Blvd.

RIGHT on Westmount, follow to Bathurst St.

RIGHT on Bathurst, follow to New Westminster Dr.

RIGHT on New Westminster, follow to Beverly Glen Blvd.

RIGHT on Beverly Glen, Inglewood Ave.

RIGHT on Inglewood for 25 and 41, follow to Mulholland Dr.

LEFT on Mulholland, follow to Beverly Glen Blvd.

RIGHT on Beverly Glen, follow to Ventura Way

RIGHT on Ventura Way for 33, follow around to Beverly Glen Blvd.

RIGHT on Beverly Glen for 411, follow to Concord Rd.

LEFT on Concord, follow across Centre St. into Wade Gate

FOLLOW Wade Gate to Brownridge Dr.   Continue reading Bus Routes – July 1993 →

1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, Property of FV / Admin, Swim

Camp Towels

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Forest Valley provided clean white towels to campers for each swim – twice daily.  Keeping these towels clean was a major endeavour.  Laundry trucks made twice-daily visits to pick up and return towels.  

Towels were given to campers before each swim and were to be placed into steel baskets after use.  (below)

The maintenance staff collected the towels from the various locations and placed them into large bins for pick-up.

Brighton and Admiral were the laundry services used during the 70s and 80s:

 Original towel design. 1960’s:

 

Second towel design. 1970’s and 1980’s:

 

Third towel design. 1990’s:

 

 

1980s, 1990s, Media

Advertising

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Ads For Staff

Ads for Parents:

june 21 1956 the star p35

Rumours about closing

Over the years, there were several times when word circulated about the camp being sold or closing.  Often this was due to news articles about the ongoing feud with the camp’s neighbour.  On each occasion, Bert placed ads to set the record straight:

Apr 19, 1975

Ad in The Toronto Star on August 20, 1976:

Jul 18, 1977

From The Toronto Star. July 18, 1977:

November 1981