35 Facts About Great Stork Derby

Source: Medium.com

What was the Great Stork Derby? The Great Stork Derby was a bizarre and fascinating contest that took place in Toronto, Canada, during the 1920s and 1930s. It all started with the will of Charles Vance Millar, a wealthy lawyer and prankster, who left a peculiar challenge upon his death in 1926. Millar's will stipulated that his fortune would go to the Toronto woman who gave birth to the most children in the decade following his death. This unusual competition led to a baby boom, as many families vied for the prize. The contest ended in 1936, with several families sharing the winnings. The Great Stork Derby remains a curious chapter in Canadian history, highlighting the lengths people will go for a chance at wealth.

Key Takeaways:

The Great Stork Derby was a unique contest in Toronto during the 1920s and 1930s, where families competed to have the most children for a chance to win a large inheritance.
The contest highlighted the challenges of the Great Depression, sparked legal battles, and left a lasting impact on Toronto's history, inspiring books, documentaries, and even a television movie.

Table of Contents

The Great Stork Derby: A Unique Contest

The Great Stork Derby is one of the most unusual and fascinating events in history. It took place in Toronto, Canada, during the 1920s and 1930s. This bizarre competition revolved around a wealthy man's will and the birth of babies. Let's dive into some intriguing facts about this peculiar contest.

Charles Vance Millar, a wealthy Toronto lawyer, initiated the Great Stork Derby through his will.
Millar's will, written in 1926, included a clause that promised a portion of his estate to the woman who gave birth to the most children in Toronto over the next ten years.
The contest began after Millar's death in 1926 and lasted until 1936.
Millar's estate was worth approximately $500,000, a significant sum during the Great Depression.
The contest was named the "Stork Derby" because the stork is a symbol of childbirth.

The Contestants and Their Stories

Many families participated in the Great Stork Derby, each with their own unique stories and challenges. Here are some facts about the contestants and their experiences.

At least 11 families were serious contenders in the contest.
The competition led to a baby boom in Toronto, with many families striving to have as many children as possible.
Some families faced financial hardships, but the promise of a large inheritance kept them motivated.
The contest drew significant media attention, with newspapers regularly reporting on the progress of the contestants.
The Great Depression made the contest even more appealing, as many families struggled to make ends meet.

Legal Battles and Controversies

The Great Stork Derby was not without its share of legal battles and controversies. Here are some facts about the legal aspects of the contest.

Millar's will was contested in court by several parties, including distant relatives and charities.
The legal battles lasted for years, with various parties trying to invalidate the contest clause.
The Ontario Supreme Court ultimately upheld the validity of Millar's will in 1936.
The court ruled that the contest was a legitimate bequest and that the prize money should be awarded to the winners.
The legal battles added to the drama and intrigue surrounding the contest.

The Winners and Their Prizes

After ten years of competition, the winners of the Great Stork Derby were finally determined. Here are some facts about the winners and their prizes.

Four women were declared the winners of the Great Stork Derby.
Each of the winning women had given birth to nine children during the contest period.
The prize money was divided equally among the four winners, with each receiving approximately $125,000.
The winners used their prize money to improve their living conditions and provide for their large families.
The contest brought fame and recognition to the winning families, who were celebrated in the media.

The Legacy of the Great Stork Derby

The Great Stork Derby left a lasting impact on Toronto and the families involved. Here are some facts about the legacy of the contest.

The contest highlighted the challenges and hardships faced by large families during the Great Depression.
It also brought attention to the issue of family planning and the importance of financial stability.
The Great Stork Derby remains a unique and fascinating chapter in Toronto's history.
The contest has been the subject of books, documentaries, and even a television movie.
The legacy of the Great Stork Derby continues to intrigue and captivate people to this day.

Interesting Tidbits and Lesser-Known Facts

Beyond the main story, there are many interesting tidbits and lesser-known facts about the Great Stork Derby. Here are a few more to pique your interest.

Charles Vance Millar was known for his eccentric sense of humor, which was reflected in his will.
Millar's will also included other unusual bequests, such as leaving shares in a brewery to teetotalers.
The contest inspired other unusual competitions and events in Toronto and beyond.
Some families who participated in the contest remained friends long after it ended.
The Great Stork Derby is often cited as an example of how a single event can have a lasting impact on a community.
The contest also sparked debates about the ethics of incentivizing childbirth.
Despite the controversies, the Great Stork Derby is remembered fondly by many as a symbol of resilience and determination.
The story of the Great Stork Derby has been passed down through generations, becoming a part of Toronto's cultural heritage.
The contest is a reminder of the power of human ingenuity and the lengths people will go to for a chance at a better life.
The Great Stork Derby remains one of the most unusual and fascinating events in history, capturing the imagination of people around the world.

Final Thoughts on the Great Stork Derby

The Great Stork Derby remains one of the most bizarre and fascinating contests in history. It all started with Charles Vance Millar's quirky will, which turned Toronto into a baby boom town during the Great Depression. Families went to great lengths to win the prize, leading to unexpected alliances and rivalries. The contest highlighted both the desperation and resilience of people during tough times. In the end, four families shared the prize, each receiving a significant sum that changed their lives. This unusual event left a lasting legacy, reminding us that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. If you're ever in Toronto, remember the Great Stork Derby as a quirky chapter in the city's rich history. It’s a story of human ingenuity, determination, and the lengths people will go for a chance at a better life.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat was the Great Stork Derby?

Imagine a race, but instead of fast cars or speedy runners, it's all about moms and babies. Back in the 1920s and 1930s, in Toronto, Canada, there was this unusual competition called the Great Stork Derby. A wealthy lawyer, Charles Vance Millar, left a bizarre challenge in his will: the woman who could have the most babies in a 10-year period after his death would inherit a fortune. It was a real thing, and it caused quite a stir!

QHow many children did the winners have?

You might think it took a small army of kids to win, but actually, the winning mothers each had nine babies in that 10-year span. Yep, you heard right – nine! And there wasn't just one winner; four women tied for first place, splitting the prize money.

QWas the Great Stork Derby legally challenged?

Oh, you bet it was! Some folks thought the whole thing was a joke or even immoral and took it to court to stop it. But after a bunch of legal battles, the courts decided the contest was valid. So, the race to have babies continued until the end date specified in Millar's will.

QDid anyone try to cheat in the Derby?

With so much money on the line, you'd expect some shenanigans, right? While there weren't any headline-making scams, there were rumors and whispers about possible cheating. However, nothing was ever proven, and the contest was closely watched by lawyers and judges to keep things on the up and up.

QHow much money did the winners receive?

At the end of the derby, the prize was a whopping $750,000, split among the winners. In today's dollars, that's like winning several million! Each of the winning mothers walked away with a hefty sum, which was a life-changing amount of money back in the day.

QWhat happened to the children born during the Derby?

Most of the kids who were born as part of this unique contest grew up like any other children of their time. Some of them later shared stories about their family's participation in the derby, providing a fascinating glimpse into a very different era.

QDid the Great Stork Derby change any laws?

While it didn't directly lead to new laws, the Great Stork Derby definitely raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about wills, inheritances, and the lengths people will go to for money. It remains one of the most bizarre chapters in Canadian legal history.

QCan something like the Great Stork Derby happen today?

Nowadays, with stricter laws and a better understanding of ethics, it's highly unlikely we'll see another contest quite like the Great Stork Derby. It remains a quirky, almost unbelievable piece of history that continues to amaze and amuse people to this day.

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