Today’s post is going to showcase Vintage Travel Posters of Ontario in the 1920’s-1960’s. Ontario is where my home of Toronto is located (and TO is the capital of Ontario) and it also is home to my childhood home of Sarnia. So Ontario is very special to me and since it’s Canada’s 150th birthday I want to show-off the vintage side of my beloved province.
Lets Begin!
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In 1924 a Tourist and Publicity Bureau was set up to promote Ontario’s attractions, especially those associated with nature and the outdoors.
To encourage tourism, the Bureau published an annual guide to “point out some of the advantages of the Province of Ontario as a tourist centre in summer and winter”(Source).
1926 Ontario Travel Guide- “The Lake-Land Playground“.
Ontario Canada Resorts, 1920s vintage poster.
Archives of Ontario State:
By the 1930s, three out of every four Americans visiting Canada chose Ontario for their vacation. The government’s tourism marketing strategy through the forties and fifties was to target Americans who wanted an outdoor vacation. This advertising was directed at families who desired to holiday on one of the many lakes, as well as at individuals who wanted to hunt and fish in Ontario’s forests and streams.
Publications and photographs promoting Ontario as “the Lakeland Playground of America” were forwarded to travel editors and inserted in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States (Source).
1940s traval poster: “Ontario-Canada’s Vacation Province! For Your Victory Vacation”
Ontario has lots of lovely lakes and you can see many of them by traveling by train (I have).
1950s Travel Poster: Ontario is this way! Bring the family!
Ontario Travel & Publicity Bureau wants you to know all about “Ski-ing in Ontario. It’s so convenient for you”.
As a person who used to downhill ski a lot, i will say that this statement is true.
1950s Travel Ad: “Make your vacation a family frolic in…Ontario”. The ad is targeted to Americans.
“Last one in’s a loser….” “Don’t wait – don’t be late planning to spend your holiday in Ontario”. 1953 vintage travel ad.
Fishing is one of the actvities you could do when visiting Ontario in the 1950s and today.
“Plenty to do and see in Ontario. 33 vacation areas”. Cute 1950s travel brochure.
Inside of above travel brochure.
Here is another 1950s travel brochure featuring all that fishing you could do on the cover.
And that friends was your virtual visit to Ontario. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
FURTHER READING: You can also check out my archived blog posts on all things Vintage Travel HERE.
On an end note, there will be no blog post next week as I will be in London, UK and Paris, France celebrating my husband and I’s 5th wedding anniversary and my Big 4-0 birthday. March 30th, 2022 Update: Here is the link to part of my Paris Trip.
Liz
