Built October 20, 1920 by soldiers from the small mining town of Beverly, Alberta (now an Edmonton neighbourhood) who had returned from the First World War. Before the Royal Canadian Legion was formed the returning soldiers created the Beverly Veterans Institute.
The Beverly Memorial Cenotaph, at the corner of 118th Avenue and 40th Street, is considered to be Alberta’s oldest modern war monument. Unveiled Oct. 17, 1920, less than two years after the end of the Great War, the monument honoured the 170 people from Beverly, then a coal-mining town of just 1,000 people, who had served in the war. The names of the 28 Beverly soldiers who died in the war are still etched into the granite pillar. Each year since, the park and Cenotaph has given a place for reflection for our military and community, as well as education for today’s youth from the local schools. This Monument and park area was granted “historical status” with the City of Edmonton.
The Beverly Memorial Cenotaph Committee fundraised, and submitted grant applications with the help of Beverly Towne Community Development Society to revitalize the park and Cenotaph. Both organizations worked with the City of Edmonton to redesign an open park area and raise and update the plaques on the base of the Cenotaph commemorating Canada’s military engagements. New sidewalks, and park and Cenotaph lighting make the area safer for the public. It is important to express that without the generous donation of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Northeast for their Legacy Project, our Cenotaph would not be completed.
