Strathroy in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Hon. Edward Blake

1833-1912

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

1. The Hon. Edward Blake Marker

Inscription. Born near Strathroy of Irish parents. Blake, a distinguished lawyer and brilliant orator, was elected in 1867 both to the Canadian parliament for West Durham and to the Ontario legislature for South Bruce. After serving as leader of the Liberal opposition in the provincial house, he became Ontario's second prime minister in 1871, but resigned his provincial seat the following year. Blake served as federal minister of justice in Alexander Mackenzie's cabinet and was recognized as a foremost authority on constitutional law. In 1892 he went to the United Kingdom where for fifteen years he served as an Irish Nationalist member in parliament. Disabled by illness in 1907, he returned to Canada.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 42° 57.37′ N, 81° 37.477′ W. Marker is in Strathroy, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is on Frank Street 0.1 kilometers south of Centre Street West, on the right when traveling south. The marker is the green space in between the Strathroy City Hall and the Public library/ Museum,

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behind the Cenotaph. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 34 James Street, Strathroy ON N7G N7G, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

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 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Strathroy Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); General Sir Arthur William Currie (within shouting distance of this marker); Founding of Strathroy (within shouting distance of this marker); Strathroy United Church (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); General Sir Arthur William Currie 1875-1933 / Le Général Sir Arthur William Currie (1875-1933) (approx. 3.1 kilometers away); St. Mary’s Church (approx. 14 kilometers away); St. Mary’s Anglican Church (approx. 14 kilometers away); Gideon Tiffany 1774-1854 (approx. 17.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Strathroy.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

2. The Hon. Edward Blake Marker

Looking east towards Frank Street

The Hon. Edward Blake, ca 1890 image. Click for full size.

3. The Hon. Edward Blake, ca 1890

Source: Library and archives Canada (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.