The Historic Sites Committee has recognized more than 75 sites in London with a plaque and a body of research in the London Room at Central Library. Find a list of sites at the bottom of this page. It can take several months after a plaque has been erected before the history of the site is added to this website.
About the Historic Sites Committee
Since 1970, the Historic Sites Committee has erected plaques commemorating buildings and sites of historical and architectural merit in London. The purpose of the plaques is to inform Londoners and visitors about the city's history, to interest Londoners in the preservation and appreciation of their heritage and to maintain an easily accessible archive of research materials in the Ivey Family London Room at London Public Library's Central Library. The plaques erected by the Historic Sites Committee are for information purposes only and do not indicate heritage designation.
Members of the Historic Sites Committee are volunteers who have an expertise or interest in local history and are appointed by the London Public Library Board. Funding for the work of the Historic Sites Committee is raised through grants, community contributions and donations. The Historic Sites Committee welcomes suggestions for plaques from members of the community and provides their Historic Sites Committee Guidelines as a helpful starting point.
For additional information and if you have a suggestion for a site for the Committee to research, please email Historic.Sites@lpl.ca
New Plaque Unveiled!
On Saturday, March 18, 2023, the Historic Sites Committee unveiled its 75th plaque, recognizing The London Curling Club, on the occasion of the Club's 175th Anniversary Bonspiel. Members of the London Curling Club, local dignitaries and representatives from the Historic Sites Committee, the London Public Library Board and Library staff were in attendance.
The plaque is located inside the London Curling Club at 377 Lyle St. in London and reads:
Founded in 1847, the London Curling Club is one of the oldest such clubs in Canada, and the first in western Ontario. It has had many homes over the years and has hosted not only community events and programs but also the Canadian Curling Championships and the World Curling Championships.
A more detailed history will be added to this website later this year and related research materials will be available in the London Room.
Local Historic Sites Marked by the Commitee
Here you will find short histories of the London sites marked by the Historic Sites Committee since 1970. The Historic Sites Committee has recognized 75 London sites with a plaque.
It can take several months after a plaque has been erected before the history of the site is added to this website.
Where buildings have been subsequently demolished, the plaques have been re-mounted in the Ivey Family London Room at the Central Library. As well, a few plaques are missing from their sites, and the Committee is working to replace them.
These brief histories are based on speeches given at plaque unveilings, and on research materials collected about each historic site. These materials are available in the Ivey Family London Room -- an excellent place to discover sources for the study of local history.
There are also many other London sites that have been marked by various designated heritage bodies. Sites listed here are limited to those recognized by the Historic Sites Committee of the London Public Library Board.
For additional information and if you have a suggestion for a site for the Committee to research,, please email Historic.Sites@lpl.ca
Historic Sites Committee Plaques
Click on a link to learn more about the Historic Site.
Walking Guide to Historic Sites in London
In 2006, the Historic Sites Committee published their Walking Guide to Historic Sites in London. This guide provides brief histories of the 49 sites marked by the Committee from 1970 through 2000. Print copies of the Walking Guide to Historic Sites in London can be borrowed from many library branches.
The first draft of the Walking Guide was compiled by Eric P. Sheppard while a student in the Public History Master of Arts Program, Department of History, Western University. We acknowledge his hard work, and thank his supervisors, Professors Benjamin Forster and Jan Trimble, and his editorial assistant, David Larlee. The staffs of the Western University Archives, and of the Ivey Family London Room, assisted with research and historical photographs. Rob Turner of the D.B. Weldon Library, Western University, designed the map. Netta Brandon, Glen Curnoe, Vince Gray, Elizabeth Hill, Anita McCallum, Catherine B. McEwen, Bill McGrath, and Elizabeth Russell likewise gave invaluable assistance.
The final manuscript was edited by members of the Historic Sites Committee. This has been a collaborative effort and the Committee welcomes notice of any errors. Funding for this project was provided by Landmarks London - Heritage and Museum Network. Publication of the Guide fits with the mission of Landmarks London to establish the City of London as a well-known and highly valued destination for cultural and heritage tourism.
Since the original manuscript was prepared, the Committee has erected additional plaques. The histories of those sites are included within this online version.