Christie Pits in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Riot at Christie Pits

Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 11, 2026

1. Riot at Christie Pits Marker

Inscription. On August 16, 1933, at the end of a playoff game for the Toronto junior softball championship, one of the city’s most violent ethnic clashes broke out in this park (then known as Willowvale Park). Toronto was a predominantly British and Protestant city struggling through the Great Depression, and youths in several neighbourhoods were harassing those they considered "foreigners". Widespread prejudice against Jews made them particular targets. Two nights earlier, on August 14, fans of the predominantly Jewish "Harbord Playground" team were provoked by local "Pit Gang" members with a makeshift swastika, a symbol made familiar by the recent rise to power of the Nazi party in Germany. At the end of the game on August 16, another large swastika was displayed. Jewish fans attacked its bearers. As word of the fight spread, reinforcements- including Italian friends of Jewish youths- rushed to the area. The resulting five hour riot involved baseball bats and iron bars, and spilled onto the streets. Though no one was killed, Torontonians were shocked by the violence. Mayor Stewart questioned the inadequate response of the Chief of Police to warnings of impending violence, and stated that anyone displaying the swastika emblem would be liable to prosecution.

Erected 2008 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 16, 1933.

Location. 43° 39.815′ N, 79° 25.15′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Christie Pits. It is at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Christie Street, on the right when traveling west on Bloor Street West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 743 Bloor Street W, Toronto ON M6G 1L6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 674 Markham Street (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Beverly Mascoll (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Brunswick House (approx. one kilometer away); 35 Walmer Road (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Young Men’s - Young Women’s Hebrew Association (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Croft Street (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); After the Spadina Expressway (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); “Stop Spadina Save Our City” (approx. 1.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . Softball and Swastikas: The Riot at Toronto’s Christie Pits.

On August 14, over 11,000 people attached themselves to the steep sides of Christie Pits. Most of the crowd, described as one of the largest in the history of the park, came to see the Western City Baseball championship between the Vermonts and Native Sons. Several thousand spectators eventually crossed the pit to see the first game of the Harbord
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 11, 2026

2. Riot at Christie Pits Marker
Centre of photo. Facing west along Bloor Street
and St. Peter’s softball playoff. By this time, Harbord supporters had become aware of something more sinister in large crowds such as these. “Every time you went to watch a ballgame,” a Harbord fan later said, “these guys with swastikas would yell ‘Hail Hitler’ and all this.”53

The Toronto Telegram reported that a five-foot-long swastika banner, sewn in white cloth on a black sweater coat, was repeatedly unfurled by some St. Peter’s supporters whenever Harbord players came to bat. This continued throughout the game, “amid much wisecracking, cheering and yelling of pointed remarks.” The Harbord players managed to keep their cool, maintain their focus, and play well enough to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. The top of the 10th saw no scoring, giving Harbord a chance to end it. Sensing their opportunity, the St. Peter’s supporters began flaunting their swastika banner. Shouts and epithets were hurled across the diamond as supporters of both teams found themselves on the verge of violence.

(Submitted on April 13, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Toronto Star coverage of the riot, Aug. 17, 1933 image. Click for full size.

3. Toronto Star coverage of the riot, Aug. 17, 1933

Toronto Public Library (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.