This was the original site of the Dominion Hotel in 1870 owned by Sam Stuckey. Later known as the Forgrave Hotel when it was owned and operated by Spenser Forgrave. The hotel closed in 1915 and the hotel buildings were removed from the property in 1920 to make way for a memorial.
Grand Valley citizens held a meeting on 15 October 1929 to decide on a monument fitting to the boys who fell in the Great War. A Memorial Committee was comprised of A. Wansbrough, William Park, Willis Potter, George H. Hunt, and E.H. Glenn. The cenotaph was dedicated on 11 November 1921 to the 31 men from the Townships of East Luther, East Garafraxa, Ameranth, and Village of Grand Valley.
During a meeting of the War Memorial Committee on 11 November 1943, a decision was made to add the names of the men who served in the Second World War to the cenotaph. The Committee also agreed upon a standard to decide what names of present war casualties should be inscribed in the future:
1. Residence in the community at time of enlistment.
2. Residence of 5 years in the community at any time.
3. Residence of 2 years in the community since Sept. 1st, 1934.
4. Next of kin still residing in the community.
On 21 July 1949 a memorial stone was added to each side of the cenotaph to recognize the Second World War and Korean War. One stone bears the names of those from this district who paid the supreme sacrifice in the Second World War. Both stones were unveiled 14 August 1949 as part of the Grand Valley Cenotaph.
