Our History

From Lamb Chops to Legacy: The Colorful Origins of TGDG

It all began in 1895 at 105 Victoria Street, home of the Engineers Club of Toronto — a men-only enclave known for its legendary rack of lamb, smoky basement meetings, and the mining deals that made or broke fortunes. Geologists and mining professionals found a second home there, drawn by camaraderie and conversation.

But by 1989, the Club faced a crossroads. Membership was dwindling, and the idea of admitting women — once considered radical — gained traction. Even bolder was the decision to demolish the aging Clubhouse and rebuild from the ground up, topped by a sleek condo tower. Construction delays and financial hurdles led to the sale of the project to Trilet Developments, who completed the new tower in 1997.

Meanwhile, the Engineers Club merged with the Ontario Club in 1992, which in 1998 made history by naming TGDG’s own Patricia Sheahan — later inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame — as its first female President. The Ontario Club eventually merged with the Wellington Club, and in 2011, with the National Club, where artwork from the original Engineers Club still hangs today.

TGDG’s roots run deep. In September 1945, Archie Bell, Peter Price of Noranda, Duncan Derry, and others founded the Toronto Geological Discussion Group in that very basement. Just two years later, Dr. Derry returned to launch the Geological Association of Canada, responding to calls for a more formal organization. Yet he recognized the enduring spirit of TGDG, declaring it the Toronto Section of the GAC — a legacy that continues to thrive.