Adam Beck Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adam Beck Memorial |
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|---|---|
| Canada | |
Adam Beck Memorial
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| For Adam Beck | |
| Unveiled | 1934 |
| Location | University Avenue just south of Queen Street West. near |
| Designed by | Emanuel Hahn |
The Adam Beck Memorial is a special monument in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It honors Sir Adam Beck, who was very important in creating Ontario Hydro. This organization helped bring electricity to many homes and businesses in Ontario. The memorial stands on University Avenue, a major street in Toronto, just south of Queen Street West. The famous sculptor Emanuel Hahn designed it, and it was officially shown to the public in 1934.
History of the Memorial
Adam Beck passed away in 1925. He was highly respected for his work. He helped develop hydroelectricity (power from water) in Ontario. He also made sure that this power was available to everyone through public ownership.
Four years after his death, the Toronto City Council formed a group. Their job was to decide how best to remember Adam Beck. Many people thought he was Ontario's greatest public servant at that time. The group suggested a bronze statue on University Avenue. So, a competition was started in 1929 to find the best design.
Emanuel Hahn won the competition with his design. The statue was first planned to be in front of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario building. This building is now part of Princess Margaret Hospital. However, this spot didn't work well because it would block the entrance to Toronto General Hospital. Hahn didn't want the statue in Queen's Park. After working with him, the City Council approved the current spot in 1932. This spot is in the middle of University Avenue, south of Queen Street.
Even though it wasn't right in front of the Hydro building, the statue faces north towards it. This was a way to show a connection. It also faces the Ontario Legislative Building, where Adam Beck worked as a politician.
The memorial was officially revealed on September 1, 1934. Toronto Mayor William James Stewart did the honors. In 1947, the memorial and other statues on University Avenue were moved. This happened because the road was being changed. The middle section of the road was shifted, and then the statues were put back in place.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The statue shows Adam Beck as a strong leader. His hands are clenched, and his right foot is slightly forward. His topcoat is open. This statue is about 3.7 meters (12 feet) tall. It is one of the two largest statues of a person in Toronto. The other is a statue of Edward VII in Queen's Park.
Adam Beck stands among carved pine cones and maple leaves. These symbols represent Canada. The base of the statue is made of large white granite blocks. It has an L-shape. A wall at the back is 4.5 meters (15 feet) high. It holds the statue up to its arms. The base is 11.8 meters (39 feet) long and 2.8 meters (9 feet) wide.
From Beck's feet, the base slopes down to the ground. It has a channel in the middle. This channel lets rainwater flow down into a small pool. This design symbolizes the many Ontario rivers that were dammed to create electricity.
The inscription on the memorial reads:
Erected by the Corporation of the City of Toronto & the Toronto Hydro Electric Commission in grateful commemoration of the public services of Sir Adam Beck, Kt. L.L.D. M.L.A., whose labours have ensured that the citizens of his native province under co-operative municipal ownership shall enjoy the benefits of low-cost electrical energy derived from water-power resources to serve the industrial and domestic needs of the Province of Ontario MCMXXXIV Queenston-Chippawa Niagara : Nipigon : Trent : Eugenia : Severn : Muskoka : Rideau : Nipissing
This inscription explains that the City of Toronto and the Toronto Hydro Electric Commission built the memorial. It thanks Sir Adam Beck for his work. His efforts made sure that people in Ontario could get cheap electricity from water power. This electricity helped homes and industries across the province.
At the end of the inscription, there are names of places in Ontario. These names are written in large letters. They refer to the locations of power plants that existed at the time. "Queenston-Chippawa" refers to the Sir Adam Beck I Generating Station. This was the largest and most important hydroelectric power plant then. Its name is placed on the rounded front tip of the monument's granite base, showing its importance.
