This Day in Guelph History: May 13, 1884
To commemorate Canada’s sesquicentennial and Guelph’s 190th anniversary, Guelph Museums and the University of Guelph have teamed up to present This Day in Guelph, Ontario, Canada History – Old news gets a modern twist as we revisit news stories from the past 150 years.
May 13, 1884
The Blacksmith statue and fountain arrived, presented by local businessman J.B. Armstrong. The fountain was then inaugurated in 1885 on Queen Victoria’s birthday. Initially placed at the centre of St. George’s Square, the fountain was moved in 1922 to allow for streetcars to pass through the square. It has remained at Priory Square on MacDonell Street ever since. Its current position overlooks the site where Guelph’s founder, John Galt, is said to have felled the first tree.
Photo: Blacksmith Fountain in St. George’s Square, c.1890 | Details: 2009.32.4589
