From the Archives
The Woodbridge Memorial Tower
The City of Vaughan’s archives house more than 600 collections dating from the early 1700s to the present day. Within these files are the stories of how Vaughan evolved from the traditional territories of the First Peoples of Turtle Island to the bustling city it is today.
Let’s take a look back at our history and share the stories of the people, places and moments that helped shape the city we know today. This month’s feature is on the Woodbridge Memorial Tower.
Standing tall above the Village of Woodbridge, the Woodbridge Memorial Tower – also known as the Woodbridge Cenotaph – continues to serve as a powerful symbol of remembrance, unity and gratitude. For more than a century, it has honoured the courage and sacrifice of local men and women who served Canada in times of war.
The Woodbridge Memorial Tower’s story began shortly after the First World War, when the people of Woodbridge united to honour their fallen soldiers. On June 15, 1921, Reeve Len Wallace and his Council called a public meeting to form a Memorial Committee, which included community leaders and local veterans. Together, they set out to create a lasting tribute.
In 1922, the committee purchased land at 80 Wallace St. – once home to Abell Agricultural Works – for $250. They enlisted horticulturalist Henry J. Moore to design the grounds and Colonel Gibson, a veteran of the Queen’s York Rangers, to design the tower itself. Built entirely of fieldstone gathered by local residents, the 60-foot-tall monument was unveiled on Nov. 16, 1924.
The names etched into the tower honour those from Woodbridge and the surrounding areas who lost their lives during the First World War. Later, plaques were added to recognize those who served in the Second World War and the Korean War. Two German field guns from the First World War still flank the monument, a solemn reminder of the battles fought abroad.
Today, the Woodbridge Memorial Tower remains a gathering place for remembrance. Each year on Nov. 11, the City of Vaughan holds a Remembrance Day service at the site – a tradition that continues to bring the community together in honour of its heroes.
Following a Council-supported Member’s Resolution by Mayor Steven Del Duca in October 2025, the City recently installed a commemorative crosswalk near the tower, at the intersection of Woodbridge Avenue and Wallace Street. The new feature encourages residents to pause and reflect on the remarkable bravery and service of Canada’s veterans – past and present.
VIEW VAUGHAN'S ARCHIVES ONLINE!
Looking for more information about the history of Vaughan? The City's Archival Collection is on digital display for all to explore! The following galleries are available in the City's online gallery on Flickr:
From Township to City: The Evolution of Vaughan
Historical Families of Vaughan
Historical Photography
Past Mayors of Vaughan
Prohibition in Vaughan
Recollections of Rural Vaughan
The Great Depression in Vaughan
The Mary Wood Collection
The Way We Were: Representations of Vaughan's Past
Vaughan’s Forgotten Heroes
Vaughan Lodge Fonds
Vaughan Working Environments
Vaughan Through the Ages: Medicine, Music and Sports and Recreation
and more!
A personal Flickr account is not required to access the City's online gallery, which contains only a small selection of the full archives collection. If you are looking for a particular image, original file, primary source record or more, please visit the Archival Database or contact the City by calling 905-832-2281 or emailing archives@vaughan.ca.
By managing and preserving both City and community records, the City’s Enterprise Information Management Services team ensures that Vaughan's rich and varied history will continue to be available for future generations. Learn more at vaughan.ca/archives.
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