Phillips Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phillips Square |
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| French: square Phillips | |
The monument to King Edward VII in Phillips Square.
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| Type | Town square |
| Location | Downtown Montreal, Ville-Marie Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Created | 1872 |
| Operated by | City of Montreal |
| Status | Open all year |
Phillips Square (also known as French: square Phillips) is a lively public space in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It's like a big open area in the city where people can gather. The square is named after Thomas Phillips, who was a building contractor (someone who builds things) and a city councillor (a local government leader). He bought the land where the square now stands. After he passed away in 1842, his wife gave the land to the city. She wanted it to be a lasting memory of her husband.
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History of Phillips Square
Phillips Square was first designed in 1842. Back then, this area was a rich neighborhood on the edge of Montreal. Over time, many important businesses and buildings came to the square.
Early Businesses and Shops
One of the first businesses was Alfred Joyce's pastry shop. He was a famous caterer and baker. In 1878, he built a fancy shop on the south side of the square. Later, in 1891, a big department store called Morgan's opened on the north side. Today, this store is known as The Bay.
An interesting fact about this site is that Jefferson Davis, who was the president of the Confederate States during the American Civil War, sent his family to live in Montreal. They stayed in a house that used to be where The Bay store is now. A brass plaque was put up to remember his visit, but it was removed in 2017.
Important Buildings and Art
The head office for Henry Birks and Sons, a famous jewelry company, was built on the west side of the square in 1894. On the east side, where a fast-food place is now, Montreal's very first art gallery opened in 1879. It was opened by Princess Louise and the Marquess of Lorne. As the art collection grew, it moved to become what is now the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
On the south side of the square, where Alfred Joyce's pastry shop used to be, stands the Canada Cement Building. It was built in 1921. This 10-story building was special because it was the first office tower made completely of reinforced concrete. The building's owner, Max Aitken, wanted to show off his cement products. This building was also one of the first skyscrapers in Montreal to have an underground parking garage. This was very modern for its time, as not many cars were around yet!
Recent Changes and Memorials
Phillips Square was updated in 1995 to make it even better. On August 31, 2012, a special memorial was placed on the south side of the square. This memorial remembers the victims of the Blue Bird Café fire. This sad event happened nearby in 1972, and the memorial was unveiled on its 40th anniversary.
Monuments in Phillips Square
The square is home to a large bronze statue of King Edward VII. He was the King of England from 1901 to 1910. Before he became king, when he was still a prince, he visited Montreal in 1860. He came to open the Victoria Bridge. The statue was created by a sculptor named Louis-Philippe Hébert and was put up in 1914. At the bottom of the monument, there are four figures that represent important ideas: Peace, the Four Founding Nations, Abundance, and Liberty.
Images for kids
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Phillips Square in 1914
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Phillips Square in 1922
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Phillips Square in 1930
