1909 Toronto Orange Parade
The rains of Sunday July 11th gave way to brilliant skies on Monday the 12th of July 1909 for Toronto’s Annual Celebration of William’s victory at the Boyne. At 11:00 AM the Worshipful County Master William Bush led the 4,400 marchers from Queen’s Park via way of Wellesley, Yonge, Queen and Dufferin Streets to the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition. It is noted here that until the early 1950’s the Toronto parade was held on the 12th of July (except Sundays), rather than on the second Saturday. It is estimated that over 160,000 spectators took in the parade; an astounding figure given the size of Toronto at that time and the Monday parade date.
There were over 60 lodges on parade, ranging from one lodge with 12 members to the over 250 members of Enniskillen Purple Star L.O.L.711. The number of marchers may seem large by today’s standards: however greater days were ahead for the Orangemen of Toronto with the huge walks of 1925-37 regularly having 10 -12,000 on parade.
The newspaper referred to the fact that there was no trouble with the trolleys and operators of the Toronto Street Railway. Their Commissioner R.J.Fleming had ordered his cars through the marching units in both 1907 and 1908 causing near riots on both occasions. In 1909 Police Chief Grassett and his force took full control of the situation and there were between 40 and 50 trolleys lined up to pass at College and Yonge Streets. Chief Grassett had agreed with the County Lodge to only let vehicles pass when there were intervals in the parade. Either by accident or design and much to the chagrin of Mr.Fleming there were very few intervals.
On the grounds of the exhibition the platform party included the County Master; Mayor Joseph Oliver ( a Past Master of McKinley L.O.L.275 ); City Controller H.C.Hocken (later Mayor and Grand Master of Canada); W.D.McPherson K.C. M.P.P. for York West ( later Grand Master of Canada), and Rev.Bro E.C.Laker ( of Medcalf L.O.L.781 and Clinton Street Methodist Church).
W.D.McPherson spoke in glowing terms of “the great Protestant Association to which they all belonged”. Reverend Laker noted in his speech that “King William of Orange destroyed the Divine Right of Kings and ruled with the consent of the people.” He further noted if an R.C. ever ascended to the throne he would” consider himself free from his oath of allegiance as a Protestant and as an Orangeman.”
Over 10,000 people attended the post-parade festivities that consisted of luncheons and sporting events and the afternoon events wrapped up at 6:00 PM. Another Glorious Twelfth had been celebrated in the city, and despite health epidemics, recessions, depressions, and World Wars we continue today (as we did then) with this visible expression of our faith, culture and heritage.
John Wells
County Secretary
With references from The Toronto Star archives, city of Toronto archives and “Landmarks of Toronto” by John Ross Robertson
There were over 60 lodges on parade, ranging from one lodge with 12 members to the over 250 members of Enniskillen Purple Star L.O.L.711. The number of marchers may seem large by today’s standards: however greater days were ahead for the Orangemen of Toronto with the huge walks of 1925-37 regularly having 10 -12,000 on parade.
The newspaper referred to the fact that there was no trouble with the trolleys and operators of the Toronto Street Railway. Their Commissioner R.J.Fleming had ordered his cars through the marching units in both 1907 and 1908 causing near riots on both occasions. In 1909 Police Chief Grassett and his force took full control of the situation and there were between 40 and 50 trolleys lined up to pass at College and Yonge Streets. Chief Grassett had agreed with the County Lodge to only let vehicles pass when there were intervals in the parade. Either by accident or design and much to the chagrin of Mr.Fleming there were very few intervals.
On the grounds of the exhibition the platform party included the County Master; Mayor Joseph Oliver ( a Past Master of McKinley L.O.L.275 ); City Controller H.C.Hocken (later Mayor and Grand Master of Canada); W.D.McPherson K.C. M.P.P. for York West ( later Grand Master of Canada), and Rev.Bro E.C.Laker ( of Medcalf L.O.L.781 and Clinton Street Methodist Church).
W.D.McPherson spoke in glowing terms of “the great Protestant Association to which they all belonged”. Reverend Laker noted in his speech that “King William of Orange destroyed the Divine Right of Kings and ruled with the consent of the people.” He further noted if an R.C. ever ascended to the throne he would” consider himself free from his oath of allegiance as a Protestant and as an Orangeman.”
Over 10,000 people attended the post-parade festivities that consisted of luncheons and sporting events and the afternoon events wrapped up at 6:00 PM. Another Glorious Twelfth had been celebrated in the city, and despite health epidemics, recessions, depressions, and World Wars we continue today (as we did then) with this visible expression of our faith, culture and heritage.
John Wells
County Secretary
With references from The Toronto Star archives, city of Toronto archives and “Landmarks of Toronto” by John Ross Robertson