The following is cut and pasted from a Facebook post and comments. Sad to see the Planetarium go. I didn't know it had been vacant. I would have liked to visit once more before it was gone. I haven't been there since we went for a school trip. We moved out of Toronto, far enough that making a trip into the city was a bit of an event. Sorry Toronto McLaughlin Planetarium. How many are still left in the world?

I would have added the link to the post but Facebook links are out of control. It was 5 lines of code for one link. So, no thanks. The post came from a group, Canada is Amazing.

Toronto is saying goodbye to a piece of its space-age history. The iconic McLaughlin Planetarium, once a beloved attraction near Queen’s Park, is now being demolished after decades of sitting unused.

Opened in 1968, the planetarium welcomed over six million visitors and served as a gateway to the wonders of astronomy. It was originally gifted to the city through the Royal Ontario Museum and quickly became a hub for science education and discovery.

Over time, however, the building closed in the mid-1990s and remained vacant, slowly fading from the city’s vibrant landscape. Now, construction crews are on-site, marking the end of an era as Toronto continues to grow and evolve.

Here’s a quick look at its journey:

• Opened in 1968 as a public science and education center
• Attracted over 6 million visitors during its peak years
• Closed in the mid-1990s and remained unused for decades
• Currently being demolished as part of urban redevelopment

As the downtown core transforms, the loss of this historic landmark reflects both change and progress—while leaving behind memories of a place that once inspired curiosity about the universe.

For those unfamiliar with its history, it was donated by Colonel R.S. McLaughlin. Colonel Sam’s McLaughlin Carriage Company went onto to build cars, including the McLaughlin Buick, and later became part of General Motors. I’m sure Colonel Sam would be horrified at what has happened to his wonderful gift to the people of Ontario.

His estate, Parkwood, is still beautifully preserved in Oshawa.

I'm interested in rocks and art made with rocks, stones or pebbles: buildings, bridges, cairns, Inukshuks, and rock balancing. The old stone farm houses are my favourite to see and photograph in rural Ontario.

Rocks are used as a way to mark the path of travelers, to tell others they had passed that way. It's not just a romantic notion. There are good, practical reasons for wanting people to know where you have gone and where you might be found. Hikers get lost, have accidents and run ins with wildlife.

I like the custom of putting little pebbles on graves to mark that you were there, still remembering and still visiting.