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• Josiah Blackburn 1823-1890
  The son of a Congregationalist minister, Blackburn was born in London, England. After some experience in journalism, he immigrated to Canada West (now Ontario) in 1850 and joined the staff of The Star in Paris. Two years later he purchased a small London weekly, The Canadian Free Press, from its founder, William Sutherland. Blackburn's keen business sense and flair for political writing made this newspaper a success. In 1855, he began a daily, The London...

• British Garrison in London, The
  In one of several concentrations of British troops in Upper Canada, various infantry and artillery units were stationed on a military reserve here during the mid-19th century. The garrison, which contributed significantly to the economic growth of London, was first established in 1839 to guard against border raids following the Rebellion of 1837. Although its troops were withdrawn in 1853 to serve in the Crimean War and military duties were assumed by pensioners, it was...

• Huron College 1863
  The college was founded by the Right Reverend Benjamin Cronyn who, following his election in 1857 as first Anglican Bishop of Huron, saw the need for a theological school and institution for advanced studies to serve the rapidly expanding population of the region. He selected Archdeacon Isaac Hellmuth to raise funds in England and Canada, and Huron College was incorporated in May 1863. Under Hellmuth's capable direction, 1863-66, the institution provided theological training and a...

• Lawson Site, The
  About 1500 A.D. a Prehistoric Neutral (Late Ontario Iroquois) Indian village occupied this site. Archaeological excavations suggest that it was an agricultural community covering 4-5 acres and housing approximately 1,000 inhabitants in communal longhouses. Strategically located so that protection was provided by steep slopes leading down to Medway River and Snake Creek, the village was heavily fortified in exposed areas by palisades, earthworks, ditches and lookout platforms stockpiled with rocks. Although the existence of the...

• Founding of London, The
  In 1793, here on the River Thames, Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe reserved a site for the capital of Upper Canada. York, however, became the seat of government and the townsite of London lay undeveloped until its selection in 1826 as the judicial and administrative centre of the London District. A court-house and gaol (1829) and homes for the government officials were built, stores and hotels were opened and by 1834, the community contained over 1,100...

• Harold A. Rogers, OBE, O.C.
  The founder of Kinsmen & Kinette Clubs of Canada was born and raised at 324 Dundas Street, directly across from the armouries. Seeking the camaraderie he had experienced in the army during the First World War, "Hal" Rogers began the first Kinsmen club in Hamilton in 1920. Under his guidance other clubs soon formed, each dedicated to "serving the community's greatest need." Ongoing contributions from women prompted the formation of the Kinettes in 1942. During...

• Tolpuddle Martyrs, The
  Within this cemetery lies George Loveless. He, with his brother James, John and Thomas Standfield, James Brine and James Hammett, were condemned to penal servitude in 1834 for organizing in Tolpuddle, Dorsetshire, England, a union of farm labourers. George Loveless was sent to Van Diemen's Land, the others to New South Wales. Public indignation brought about their pardon and return to England in 1837. The case of the "Tolpuddle Martyrs" became a turning point in...

• Victoria Boat Disaster 1881, The
  On May 24, 1881, one of Canada's worst marine disasters occurred on the Thames River near this site. The "Victoria", a small, double-decked stern-wheeler commanded by Captain Donald Rankin, was conducting holiday excursion trips between London and Springbank Park. On a return trip to London, the boat was dangerously overcrowded with more than 600 passengers. Oblivious of the danger, the crowd repeatedly shifted from side to side, resulting in flooding and a precarious rocking motion...

• Eldon House
  Built in 1834 by Capt. John Harris, R.N., treasurer of the London District, this is London's oldest remaining house. With his wife, Amelia, daughter of Samuel Ryerse, Harris came to London after the District Offices were moved here from Vittoria. For many years, Eldon House was a centre of London's cultural and social life, and four generations of the Harris family dwelt in it during more than 125 years. In 1960, the family gave the house with most of its furnishings and eleven acres of land, to the City of London for a museum and park.

• Blackfriars Bridge
  The oldest known wrought iron bridge in the province, Blackfriars Bridge was built in 1875 to replace a wooden structure. It was designed and fabricated by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio and assembled locally. Wrought iron was renowned for its qualities of strength and malleability and its resistance to corrosion before the use of steel became common. A fine example of truss construction, the bowstring arch bridge supports a suspended roadway that...

• Paul Peel
  This noted Canadian artist was born in this city and about 1875, had a studio on Richmond Street in the marble works operated by his father. After studying in Philadelphia and at the Royal Academy Schools, London, England, he moved to Paris in 1887 where he worked under such prominent painters as Gérôme, Boulanger and Constant. Peel is represented in the National Gallery of Canada by "Mother Love", "A Venetian Bather" and other canvases. Examples...

• Reverend William Proudfoot 1788-1851, The
  An outstanding Presbyterian missionary and church leader, William Proudfoot was born near Peebles, Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh. Ordained in 1813, he served in Scotland until 1832 when he came to Upper Canada. A year later, he settled in London. An energetic, authoritative man, Proudfoot made numerous preaching tours and organized congregations and missionary stations throughout Upper Canada and in the United States. In 1834, he founded the Missionary Presbytery of the...

• Right Reverend Isaac Hellmuth 1817-1901, The
  Born in Poland and educated at Breslan University, Hellmuth lived briefly in England before emigrating to Canada in 1844 where, two years later, he was ordained in the Church of England. Appointed Archdeacon of Huron in 1861, he assisted Bishop Benjamin Cronyn in the establishment of Huron College and served as its first principal, 1836-66. Succeeding Cronyn as Bishop of Huron in 1871, Hellmuth's foresight and determination led to the founding, in 1878, of this...

• St. Paul's Cathedral 1846
  The nave and tower of this church were designed in English Gothic revival style by architect William Thomas and constructed 1844-46. Previously, the Anglican congregation had held services in a wooden structure on the site. It had been opened in 1834, but was destroyed by fire ten years later. The first resident missionary to serve the London area was the Reverend E.J. Boswell, who arrived in 1829. He was succeeded by the Reverend Benjamin Cronyn...

• St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica
  Begun in 1880 and dedicated on June 28, 1885, this magnificent structure was built during the episcopate of Bishop John Walsh to serve as the cathedral for the Diocese of London. Designed by the prominent architect Joseph Connolly, it was constructed in the 13th-century French Gothic style, which was favoured by Ontario's Roman Catholics in the late 19th century. Among the cathedral's most notable features are its massive bell towers, high transepts, imposing sanctuary and...