While Miss USA, Miss America and Miss Universe are the more well known “Beauty Pageants”, Canada has/had its fair share as well. From little hometown Pageants to big ones like “Miss Dominion of Canada”, the middles years of the 20th Century in Canada were just as busy “judging beauty” as our neighbour to the south.

For today’s post we are going to take a look back at some of these ‘Vintage Beauty Pageants’.

Vintage Canadian Beauty Pageants

MISS WAR WORKER

In 1942, more than 100 contestants from Canada’s major military manufacturing plants vied for the title of “Miss War Worker.” The winner, Dorothy Linham, starred in a Palmolive Soap advertisement (Source).

FURTHER READING: World War 2 Women’s Contributions & Homefront Posts

1940s vintage photo of the Canadian Miss War Worker Pageant in 1942. The image features women wearing their factory uniforms.

Police Chief D.C. Draper presents ribbon to Dorothy Linham, Miss War Worker 1942. Toronto, Canada.

1940s vintage photo of Miss War Worker Beauty Contest 1942 Canada

Source: Wikipedia

MISS GREY CUP

ABOUT: The CFL (Canadian Football League) Grey Cup is the NFL equivalent to the Super Bowl. It’s very popular in Canada and even Toronto has a team (Go ARGOS!). One of the highlights of the Grey Cup was the ‘Miss Grey Cup Pageant’ featuring lovely ‘Unmarried’ ladies in cheerleading uniforms competing for the coveted title. It started in 1951 and ended in the 1990s after the public lost interest. Below is a couple of photos from the 1953 pageant.

(For more photos & information visit ‘A look back at the Miss Grey Cup Pageant‘ by the Globe and Mail)

Together for the first time in Toronto in 1953 were all the finalists for the Miss Grey Cup title, representing senior Canadian football teams.

1950s Vintage Photo: Together for the first time in Toronto in 1953 were all the finalists for the Miss Grey Cup title, representing senior Canadian football teams

Source: The Globe and Mail

Miss Grey Cup 1953 was chosen from a dozen finalists on the eve of the East-West football classic is Miss Saskatchewan Roughrider — Joanne Baird, 18-year-old Regina high school student, winner of several beauty and popularity awards in her home town.

1953 Winner of Miss grey Cup 1950s Photo

Source: Globe and Mail

MISS DOMINION OF CANADA

ABOUT: Miss Dominion of Canada was a beauty pageant held in Niagara Falls for many years, primarily at the Sheraton Brock Hotel, on July 1, Canada’s Dominion Day (now known as “Canada Day”), beginning in 1959.

The winner of this pageant represented Canada at four of the world’s largest international beauty pageants, Miss Universe (until 1977), Miss World (1962–1979), Miss International, and Queen of the Pacific (Source).

Her crowning moment: Hamilton’s Carol Ann Tidey — now Carol Mason — savours the glory as she becomes Miss Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1965, in Niagara Falls.

1960s Vintage Photo of Miss Dominion of Canada 1965. Her crowning moment: Hamilton's Carol Ann Tidey -- now Carol Mason -- savours the glory as she becomes Miss Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1965, in Niagara Falls.

Source: Hamilton Spectator

Marlene Leeson of Huntsville; Miss Dominion of Canada 1962; waits at Malton Airport for a plane which took her to London for the Miss World Contest.

1960s vintage photo of Miss Dominion of Canada 1962 in 1960s fashion. Marlene Leeson of Huntsville; Miss Dominion of Canada 1962; waits at Malton Airport for a plane which took her to London for the Miss World Contest.

Source: Toronto Public Library

MISS TORONTO PAGEANT

Learn about the history of the pageant and see more vintage photos on my blog post: Miss Toronto Pageant-The Early Days

Finalists in the Miss Toronto Pageant 1953. Winner Elizabeth Gibson is second from right.

1950s Vintage Photo of the Miss Toronto Pageant 1953 featuring the constestants in 1950s swimsuits.

PENETANG WINTERAMA QUEEN

1958-Ten girls still in the running for Penetang Winterama Queen title will appear on Pen Theatre stage Friday night in third elimination.

Left to right, front, Lucille Duquette, Barbara Labatte, Joan Somers, Mary Lou O’Leary, Betty Ann Mayer, Standing, Karen Robinson, Marguerite Gervais, Marita Lalonde, Anita Fournier, Carol Cummer.

1950s vintage photo of the Penetang Winterama Queen pageant contestants in 1950s fashions-1958.

Source: Huronia Museum

MISS CANADA

ABOUT: Miss Canada is a beauty pageant for young women in Canada. It was founded in Hamilton in 1945. No title was awarded from 1993 through 2008. According to the new Miss Canada and Miss Teen Canada web site, the title was re-established with a focus on personality over physical appearance. The Miss Canada competition is Canada’s oldest extant beauty pageant (Source).

The below video showcases the winners of Miss Canada from 1947-1972.

MISS PNE

(Pacific National Exhibition). Held from 1948 to 1993

Group photograph of Miss PNE 1957 contestants.

Miss P.N.E. Contest-1950s Beauty Pageant Contestantsin 1950s dresses.

Source: City of Vancouver Archives

What came first? The chicken or the egg? Miss PNE 1954.

1950s Vintage phot of Miss PNE 1954 Beauty Pageant Winner holding a chicken egg.

Source: PNE.ca

PNE Contestant 1957: “Miss White Rock” – Miss Fern Walker. What a dress!

1957 Miss PNE Contestant beauty contest "Miss White Rock" - Miss Fern Walker. What a stunning 1950s dress.

Source: City of Vancouver Archives

MISS BY-LINE

I was not able to find any real information on this contest beyond that the winner was chosen at the “By-line Ball; Toronto Men’s Press club’s annual dance at the Royal York.” If any of my readers have information, please share in the comments below.

Meet Miss by-line ‘1966; Ellen Tsuji; 20-year-old representative of the Japanese press in the Metro.

Source: Toronto Public Library

Miss by-line 1960; Pretty Diane Oster; 19.

Source: Toronto Public Library

Do you know Veronica Foster (Ronnie), the ‘Bren Gun Girl’? She was Canada’s “Rosie the Riveter” and was also “Miss By-Line in 1943”. How fun is her dress of Ontario newspapers?

Read all about Ronnie on my blog post: The Canadian “Rosie the Riveter”-Veronica Foster, The Bren Gun Girl

1940s Vintage Photo of Veronica Foster (Ronnie), The Bren Gun Girl as Miss By-Line 1943 in Toronto posing in Ontario Newspapers as a dress.

Source: Emailed to the Vintage Inn Blog

Thanks for stopping by friends and I hope you enjoyed checking out some of the beauty contests from the past. I know I always enjoy the fashions and hairstyles.

Question Time: Did you ever try out for a beauty contest? Share your experiences in the comments below.

Liz

This Sunday, Canada turns 151 (Happy Birthday Canada!) and as many of you know I’m a born and raised Canadian Vintage Gal and I love to show off my beloved country thru many of the vintage posts I share here. So for today’s post I have put together a collection of Vintage Canadiana that I found online. Enjoy!

vintage-posters-canada-canada-vacations1

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Roundup of Fun 1940’s & 1950’s Canadiana

Vintage Canadian Affairs Reconstruction Supplement Number 7 – Mining In Canada. Published for the Canadian Armed Forces by the Canadian Information Service….issued January 1946.

About:

This booklet features information on Canada’s booming Post War mining industry and how to get involved.

“Canadian Affairs Reconstruction Supplements are intended for those in the Services who want to discuss realistically the Canada in which they will work after the war. The Supplements are prepared by the Wartime Information Board and will appear fortnightly, alternating with the regular issue of CANADIAN AFFAIRS.”

It is part of the Canadian Affairs series issued to WW2 veterans returning home from service overseas and to people emigrating to Canada. The topics in the series range from Canadian politics, starting a business, investing, returning to school, avoiding scams, etc.

This Etsy seller is selling each one individually that you see in the below photo. Check out her page HERE.

Vintage Canadian Affairs Reconstruction Supplement Number 7 - Mining In Canada - 1940s Era Post War Time Veterans Booklet — Source: Etsy

1950’s Forestville Wall Clock-Made in Canada. So cool looking!

About:

The Blackforest Clock Company of Toronto, Ontario was founded by Leopold and Sara Stossel in 1928 and imported their clocks from Germany and sold in thru jewelery and department stores across Canada. Renamed Forestville Clock Company in 1941.During the war years this company imported its clock movements from England, the United States, and even France. However, starting in the mid 1950s German factories again became the source of most Forestville clocks (Source).

I believe you can still buy Forestville clocks today according to the website where I found info on this Canadian Brand (If any of my readers have info on this please share in the comments below).

1950s mid century Forestville clock — Source: Etsy

The Pride of London, Ontario! Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, Vintage 1950’s Concert Program.

Further Reading: Guy Lombardo-Canada’s Famous Big Band Leader

Guy Lombardo 1950s Concert Program Vintage Collectible — Source: Etsy

Guy Lombardo 1950s Concert Program Vintage Collectible Inside — Source: Etsy

1950’s Wooden Bear Brooch from Banff, Alberta. Banff is the best! It is so pretty there.

Further Reading: Vintage Travel To Do List: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

1950s vintage wooden brooch of a bear and advertising Banff, Alberta Canada — Source: Etsy

Canadian Engineering Construction Toy Set, 1950’s by Multiple Toy Makers.

Vintage Canadian Engineering toy set 1950s — Source: Etsy

Montreal is a must see when you visit Canada. It’s truly beautiful and feels like you have stepped out of Canada into Europe. Below is a collection of 18 vintage snapshots that you could of purchased when visiting the city.

Montreal Canada vintage photo album. — Source: Etsy

Montreal Canada collection of vintage photos — Source: Etsy

1950’s / 1960’s brass hand painted enamel Canadian souvenir charm of Vancouver, BC.

Time to hit the road and visit Ontario (my province) with this 1958 Road Map (I’m sure this map looks very different from today’s roads).

Further Reading: Vintage 1950s Travel Brochures & Pamphlets

1958 Ontario Official Vintage Road Map — Source: Etsy

This is a brand new discovery for me and I went to school for Fashion. Canada once had a magazine entitled “Women’s Reporter-The National Magazine for the Fashion Industry“. Here is the January 1948 Cover.

Do any of my readers remember this magazine? Share in the comments below if you do.

Vintage Magazine Canadian Women's Reporter January 1948 — Source: Etsy

Late 1940s fashions for Women on display, including an Emma Domb design (who I have done a blog post on!).

Further Reading: Vintage Fashion Designer Spotlight: Emma Domb

“Wanted Magazines for our fighting Men”. 1940’s Original Canadian Propaganda poster.

We have now come to the end of my vintage Canadiana roundup. I hope you enjoyed the post (share what you liked in the comments below) and Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian Readers!

FURTHER READING: Vintage Canada Blog Posts from the 1920s-1960s (Archived)

Liz

Tag: Canada