Here's what the CNE looked like over the past 138 years (PHOTOS)
For 143 years, the Canadian National Exhibition has been a hallmark of Toronto summers.
The Airshow, the Midway, the increasingly bizarre food, it’s the last hurrah under August’s golden glow. No matter your age, the nostalgia of the CNE whisks you back to childhood, and not just because its Labour Day departure coincides with the start of the school year.
A lot has changed in (nearly) a century and a half of the Ex. Originally intended to promote agriculture and technology, the annual fair has evolved into Canada’s largest, adding shopping, entertainment, carnival rides, and novelty food to its roster.
Thanks to CNE Heritage, we can look into the CNE’s past for ourselves. As the Ex is underway at Exhibition Place this summer, check out vintage photos of the CNE over the years.
First Commercial Electric Railway, 1883
CNE Heritage
1888 Telephone Demonstration
Mike Filey Collection/CNE Heritage
Muscle Powered Crank Wheel ca. 1892
City of Toronto Archives/CNE Heritage
Chutes In The CNE Midway, ca. 1900s
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Midway Beauties, 1920
City of Toronto Archives/CNE Heritage
Coliseum With Midway Ride, 1940
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Second Dufferin Gate, 1950
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Better Living Centre, 1950
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Televisions On Display At The 1950 CNE
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
The Rotor, 1953
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Buttering Up Winston Churchill, 1955
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
1956 CNE Baby Show
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Louis Armstrong & Friends, 1962
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Scooter Brigade, 1963
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
CNE Visitors At The Bandshell, 1963
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
View Of Midway From Shell Tower, 1964
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
CNE Aquarama, August 25, 1965
CNE Archives, Alexandra Collection/CNE Heritage
CNE Aquarama On The Waterfront, 1965
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Colonel Sanders At The CNE, August 1965
Alexandra Studio Collection, CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
CNE Midway, 1965
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
CNE Fashion Show, 1966
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Enjoying The Rides, 1967
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
The Fun Of The Fair, 1967
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Conko The Clown Bonds With CNE Visitors In 1967
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Body Painting At The CNE, 1968
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
CNE Flyer, ca. 1970
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Enjoying The CHUM Wild Cat Ride, ca. 1970s
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Hanging Out In The CNE Midway, 1974
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
CNE Polar Express, 1981
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage
Bandshell Extravaganza, 1983
CNE Archives/CNE Heritage