Walk near a heritage plaque in London Ontario and have it read out loud. (Under Development)

From 1895 to 1924, site of the second campus of The Western University of London, Ontario (renamed The University of Western Ontario in 1923) on the blocks bounded by Grosvenor, St. George and St. James Streets, and the Thames River. With the revival of the Arts Faculty in 1895, the University occupied buildings shared with Huron College. The University relocated to its present site, north of Huron Street, in 1924.

starling

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hoopoe

original

This Ordnance Survey stone marks the north-east corner of the former Military Lands where units of the British Garrisons were stationed between 1838 and 1868. In 1873 the Ordnance Lands became the property of the municipality and Victoria Park was created in the area to the south of Central Avenue. The Fair Grounds occupied the northern section until moving to the Queen's Park site in 1887. Carling's Creek, which flowed to the west below this point, was dammed to form Lake Horn.

Born near London, Shortt studied at Queen's University and in Scotland, later returning to Queen's where he established the department of political economy. A noted teacher, he was an advisor to governments, served on several commissions, and in 1908, after 22 years of teaching became a member of the first Canadian Civil Service Commission. In Ottawa, in association with the Dominion archivist, Arthur Doughty, he helped develop the collections of the national archives. Between 1913 and 1917 the two co-edited the important historical series Canada and its Provinces.

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 Although its troops were withdrawn in 1853 to serve in the Crimean War, and military duties were assumed by pensioners, it was re-occupied by British regulars in 1862 when the American Civil War posed a threat to the province. To help repulse an expected invasion of Fenians, militant Irish sympathizers, the garrison remained active until 1868. Six years later, this part of the old military reserve was set aside as Victoria Park.

The Mechanics Institute was founded in 1835 as a library, reading room and laboratory. In 1876 it relocated to a new building at 231 Dundas Street and remained there until 1895 when its collection was acquired by London’s first public library.

The nave and tower of this church were designed in English Gothic Revival style by architect William Thomas and constructed in 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 in 1833. In 1857 the Diocese of Huron was created and St. Paul's designated as its cathedral. Here for the first time in the British Empire a synod elected a bishop. Extensively altered in 1892-94, the building remains one of London's outstanding landmarks.

The Right Reverend Isaac Hellmuth 1817-1901

London Ontario Heritage Plaques

12 ECHOES

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The Echoes

Site of Second UWO Campus

Piccadilly Park

William Saunders

Thornwood

Adam Shortt 1859-1931

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