Terry Fox Memorial and Lookout facts for kids
Terry Fox Monument
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| Coordinates | 48°29′06″N 89°10′07″W / 48.48500°N 89.16861°W |
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| Location | Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada |
| Completion date | June 26, 1982 |
| Dedicated to | Terry Fox |
The Terry Fox Monument is a special statue located near Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It honors Terry Fox, a brave Canadian who ran across the country to raise money for cancer research. This monument shows Terry Fox and offers amazing views of Thunder Bay and the beautiful nature around it. It's a place where people can visit and remember his incredible journey, called the Marathon of Hope.
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The Story of the Monument
The Terry Fox Monument was created by a sculptor named Manfred Pervich. It was built to mark the area where Terry Fox had to stop his amazing run on August 31, 1980. While the monument is not at the exact spot where he stopped, it is very close by. The actual stopping point is marked by a small, private sign.
When Was It Opened?
The monument was officially opened on June 26, 1982. This was just a few days before the first anniversary of Terry Fox's passing. The Governor General of Canada, Edward Schreyer, was there for the dedication ceremony.
Moving the Monument
The statue was first placed right beside Ontario Highway 17. Later, the highway needed to be made wider. So, the monument was moved to a special park that overlooks the highway. This new spot also has a visitor information center with washrooms for people visiting.
Why the Monument Is Important
The Terry Fox Monument has become a very meaningful place for many events. It reminds people of Terry's courage and his fight against cancer.
Other Inspiring Journeys
- In 1985, another runner named Steve Fonyo stopped at the monument. He was on his own cross-Canada run, called the Journey for Lives. He paused to think about Terry's journey before continuing his own.
- In 1997, Dave Shannon, who uses a wheelchair, also visited the monument. He was on a cross-Canada trip to raise awareness for people with disabilities.
Remembering Terry's Run
In the year 2000, Terry Fox's family gathered at the monument. They held a public event to remember the 20th anniversary of when Terry first started his Marathon of Hope.
Olympic Torch Relay
Before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the Olympic torch traveled across Canada. A cancer survivor named Kailie Kernaghan-Keast was chosen to carry the torch near Thunder Bay. The Terry Fox Monument was chosen as the special spot for her to pass the torch to the next runner. This showed how Terry's spirit continues to inspire people.
