The Toronto Circus Riot of 1885
The Toronto Circus Riot of 1855 is a curious and chaotic episode in the city’s history. It all began with a dispute between members of the Fire Department and some clowns at a local brothel, leading to a brawl where the clowns emerged victorious. However, the firefighters sought revenge and later launched an attack on the circus. In a turn of events, the firemen managed to gain the upper hand, but the violence escalated until the intervention of the militia became necessary to restore order.

Surprisingly, the police did little to quell the disturbance, prompting the city to take drastic action. As a result, all police officers were fired, and a new police force was established. The Toronto Circus Riot serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of urban life in the 19th century and the sometimes unorthodox methods used to maintain order in rapidly growing cities.