Queen Elizabeth Way Monument facts for kids
The Queen Elizabeth Way Monument is a special landmark in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It's also known as the Lion Monument or the Loring Lion. This monument was built between 1939 and 1940 to honor Queen Elizabeth. It marked the entrance to the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) highway.
The monument is a tall stone column with a crown on top. A stone lion sits in front of its base. On the base, you can see a profile of the Queen. It's a beautiful example of Art Deco style, which was a popular design style from the 1920s to 1940s.
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Building a Royal Landmark
The Queen Elizabeth Way Monument was designed by architect William Lyon Somerville. He also designed the Henley Bridge, another part of the QEW.
The Famous Lion Sculpture
A talented sculptor named Frances Loring was chosen to create the stone lion. The royal profiles and the crown were modeled by Florence Wyle.
When Britain and Canada entered World War II, it inspired Frances Loring's design. She wanted the lion to look "snarling" and "defiant." This showed the strong spirit of the British. The lion stands eight feet tall.
Frances Loring carved the lion herself from Queenston limestone. She took over the carving in late summer and fall of 1940. The monument cost about $23,000 to build.
Moving the Monument
In 1972, the Government of Ontario decided to make the QEW wider. This meant the monument had to be moved. At first, they thought about moving it to Ontario Place. However, people didn't like that idea.
So, in August 1975, the monument was moved to a new spot. It found its new home in Sir Casimir Gzowski Park. This park is along Lake Ontario, near the Humber River.
Re-dedication by the Queen
The monument was officially re-dedicated in 1989. This special ceremony was attended by Queen Elizabeth herself. By then, she was known as The Queen Mother.
The Queen Elizabeth Way: Ontario's First Super-Highway
The Queen Elizabeth Way was Ontario's very first "super-highway." This meant it was a modern, multi-lane road designed for faster travel. The highway was built with many decorative features. These included special light standards and the Henley Bridge in St. Catharines, Ontario.
Henley Bridge Decorations
The Henley Bridge also has impressive monuments. These are located at each end of the bridge. They are placed in the area between the two directions of traffic.
Each monument looks like the front of an ancient ship, called a galley prow. Inside each prow are four regal lions. Each lion holds a unique shield.
There are also piers at each end of the bridge. Two piers are decorated with sailing ships. A third shows a native person in a canoe. The fourth pier features a rower. The same team that designed the Lion Monument also designed these decorations. These bridge monuments are still in their original locations today.
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The Lion Monument plaque
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The monument in 1940
