Cenotaph

November 11th, 1918, marked the cessation of hostilities in the First World War and was known after this as Armistice day. In 1911, however, by act of parliament Armistice Day became Canada’s Remembrance Day. On this day, Canadians pay tribute to more than 10,000 Canadians who gave their lives in the first and second world wars, along with the Korean war.

During the 1920s, the people of Kirkland Lake observed Armistice Day with services, the placing of wreaths and the wearing of poppies. The town did not have a cenotaph at the time.

The first cenotaph located in Kirkland Lake was unveiled in November of 1929 as a memorial to Kirkland Lake’s war dead. It was temporarily located by the Central School Grounds off of Government Road, at this time. In 1930, however, it was placed on a permanent base there. Kirkland Lake's first cenotaph was designed by David McChesney and made by workers of the Lake Shore Mine.

In 1959, a proposed realignment of government road forced the relocation of the Cenotaph next to the old arena across the street. Based on The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 87 committee’s recommendations, David McChesney, one of the members, drew up plans for the cenotaph and the grounds. A portion of the original cenotaph was preserved in the new one. On September 16th, 1962, the new cenotaph was formally dedicated to the memory of those who died for their homelands and the highest traditions.

The construction of the Ontario Northland building on Government Road resulted in the need to relocate, once again. This time, it was moved to its current site in the Wright-Hargreaves Park, across the Legion Branch 87. A dedication ceremony took place on October 28th, 1990.