Cenotaph

Description of the Historic Place

The Cenotaph is a four sided granite plinth war memorial that was built in 1929. The monument is located at 222 3rd Avenue North at City Hall Square in downtown Saskatoon.

Heritage Value

The Cenotaph was built as a symbol of sacrifice, and its purpose was two-fold: to memorialize those from Saskatoon and the surrounding area who fought but did not return from War, and to remind Saskatoon citizens of the sacrifice these individuals made for their country.  The four-sided monument was constructed of Vancouver grey granite obtained by the Western Granite and Marble Co. The shaft is affixed to a base of reinforced concrete and was built as a seven foot square, tapering to six square feet at the top and finished with a pyramidal cap. The step base holds the words “In Memoriam.” The main upper feature of the Cenotaph is its clock. Surrounding each dial of the clock are fretted panels which form an outline of a Union Jack. Above the clock dial, a crown represents the war effort of the British Empire.

The lower portion of the Cenotaph features a bronze panel with the inscription:

“In glorious memory of those of this City and District, who, at the call of King and Country, adventured forth and gave their all for the cause of Right and Freedom, 1914 – 1918.”

A granite Coat of Arms of the city was placed above the bronze plaque. The plaque is bordered with draped flags carved in granite.

Built at a total cost of $18,769, and designed by F.H. Portnall, the Cenotaph was unveiled at a dedication ceremony on November 11, 1929 at its original location on 21st Street near 2nd Avenue. The importance of the monument was underlined by the magnificent turnout: nearly 3,000 individuals, among them, many ex-servicemen and those representing all branches of active military service. The Cenotaph would remain a focal point of downtown Saskatoon, and a prominent feature along 21st Street. By the late 1950s, considerable changes had occurred in downtown Saskatoon, particularly in terms of its traffic, and the Cenotaph became a concern for proper vehicle movement. When the new City Hall was built the monument was located to its current location at City Hall Square.

The Cenotaph has served as point of ceremony for many war-related memorial events and as a rallying point for civic events, including civil protest. Today, the Cenotaph continues to be a familiar and beloved landmark of the city. It has been a focal point of civic commemoration and official gathering for over 85 years.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those features that relate to the monument's historical significance including its granite plinth, clock, plaques, inscriptions and ornamentations, along with its location in City Hall Square.