By Pepper Parr
May 30th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Like many things in Burlington – they get moved around.
The fountain at Veteran Square was moved around a number of times; the Lady on the Lake was moved, not sure just where it is now.
A little bit of history that hundreds of people pass by every day on the southwest corner of Lakeshore Road and Elizabeth.
There is a cairn at the southwest corner of Lakeshore and Elizabeth Street.
It was erected by the Lions Club in 1927. The ‘Confederation Day’ mentioned seems to be the 60th anniversary of Burlington.
The cairn was originally on the land where the Waterfront hotel is now and had to be moved, which “caused much consternation since it was not known if it might fall apart when picked up. However someone was found who got a support underneath it and it was moved to the current location. Not known who owns the new site, but obviously a deal was reached, and the move was at no expense to the Lions Club.
“Apparently the monument and the move was no big deal to anyone at the time, and it may have been done without many people even knowing about it. That may not be the case this time, but so far no one has contacted the Lions.”
Is there anyone who can add to this story and are there any ideas as to where the cairn could go should it have to be moved again ?
Does anyone know if there is anything inside the cairn?
I approached the Lions Club before construction began on The Pearle Hotel and the monument was surrounded by electrical boxes, parking signage, etc.. I suggested it could be moved to a spot on the other side of the parking lot, in Spencer Smith park. I was told there would be plans to move it at some point but that moment never came.