News & Events

It was 1931. Al Capone was sentenced to prison for tax evasion; it was the lowest point in the Great Depression; and despite losing their first game, the Toronto Maple Leafs went on to win their first Stanley Cup that season.

They might have had a little help from their good luck charm, a small, ivory elephant.

The elephant is one of a dozen items included in a 1931 time capsule found inside the walls of Maple Leaf Gardens. Ryerson and Loblaw Companies Limited revealed the contents of that copper box on Thursday. Student-athletes, faculty, staff and descendants of Conn Smythe – the builder of Maple Leaf Gardens – gathered in the atrium of the George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre to see a piece of history.

“Maple Leaf Gardens holds a lot of special memories for millions of Canadians, and it turns out, it also held a few surprises from 1931 that were just waiting to be found,” said Ryerson President Sheldon Levy. “We are thrilled to share the contents of the time capsule with all Canadians.”

Ryerson and Loblaw are asking for the community’s help in determining the meaning behind the mysterious ivory elephant and what items could go into a new time capsule to be housed at the Peter Gilgan Athletic Centre at the Gardens. The public can make suggestions by tweeting @RyersonNews or visiting Ryerson’s Facebook page.

The time capsule, a copper box measuring 30 centimeters by 20 centimeters by 20 centimeters, has no external markings or writing; however, the inside of the lid is hand-engraved, “M.B.  Campbell 124 Lindsay Ave 21/9/31.”

The time capsule included the following items, which can be seen online at www.ryerson.ca/news/media/spotlight/TimeCapsule/index.html:

·         a four-page, typed letter from the directors of Maple Leaf Gardens describing the design and construction details of the new arena;

·         a stock prospectus for Maple Leaf Gardens;

·         four newspapers from September 21, 1931 including the Toronto Daily Star, The Globe, The Mail and Empire and The Evening Telegram;

·         Three official hockey rule books, one each for the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, the Ontario Hockey Association and the National Hockey League;

·         A Red Ensign flag; and

·         A small ivory elephant with fragments of a blue ribbon.

Loblaw, which opened its new urban supermarket model, Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens on Nov. 30, 2011, is equally excited about the discovery.

“The historic Maple Leaf Gardens holds a special place in the hearts of many here in Canada and around the world.  With the opening of Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens we are happy to have the opportunity to breathe life back into this historic landmark,” said Jane Marshall, executive vice president, Loblaw Properties and Business Strategy, Loblaw Companies Limited. “We are curious to hear Canadians’ ideas for the new time capsule.”

The capsule, now jointly owned by Ryerson University and Loblaw, will be kept in a safe storage facility until a permanent display is created. It was discovered by a masonry company and removed by heritage architects to be sent on to a fine art appraisal company for evaluation, appraisal and safe keeping.