Hanover in Grey County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

“Tommy Burns”

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025

1. “Tommy Burns” Marker

Inscription. Noah Brusso was born near Hanover in 1881. He took up professional boxing under the name of Tommy Burns, and although standing only 5 feet 7 inches and rarely heavier than 170 pounds, was a leading heavyweight. In 1906 by defeating Marvin Hart, he became the first Canadian to win the heavyweight championship of the world. Defeated by Jack Johnson in Australia in 1908, he did not retire from boxing until 1920. Brusso’s methods of training were used by later athletes, and he wrote a book on scientific boxing. He died in Vancouver in 1955.

Erected by Ontario Archeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 44° 9.197′ N, 81° 1.536′ W. Marker is in Hanover, Ontario, in Grey County. It is at the intersection of 11th Avenue and 11th Street, on the right when traveling south on 11th Avenue. The marker is near the northeast corner Hanover Heritage Square Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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358 10th Street, Hanover ON N4N 1P4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgian Bay Country

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 21 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Daniel Knechtel 1843 - 1936 (a few steps from this marker); The Founding of Hanover / La Fondation de Hanover (within shouting distance of this marker); Hanover Cenotaph (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker (approx. 8.4 kilometers away); The Founding of Walkerton (approx. 9.9 kilometers away); Founding of Durham (approx. 16.2 kilometers away); 2 Elora Street (approx. 20.8 kilometers away); The Founding of Clifford (approx. 20.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanover.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025

2. “Tommy Burns” Marker

Tommy Burns ca 1912 image. Click for full size.

3. Tommy Burns ca 1912

Library and Archives Canada (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.