Soldiers' Tower: A Tribute to Remembrance

Soldiers' Tower, a 143-foot (43.6 m) Gothic Revival tower, stands on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto as a memorial to university members who served in the World Wars. Designed by architects Henry Sproatt and Ernest Ross Rolph, construction began in 1919 and was completed in 1924. The tower serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the University of Toronto community. The tower's construction was funded by alumni donations totaling $397,141, with surplus funds used to establish scholarships. The names of those lost in the Great War (1914–18) are etched on a stone screen near the tower's base, while the names of those lost in the Second World War (1939–45) are inscribed on the inner walls of the tower's archway. Inside, a military museum displays medals, memorial books, portraits, photographs, flags, and other memorabilia. Eight stained-glass windows, commissioned in 2005, depict Canadian forces in action. A memorial window is dedicated to three University College students who died in the Fenian Raids. The carillon, consisting of 51 bells, is played on special occasions like convocation, reunions, and Remembrance Day. The tower's carillon serves as an audible reminder of the sacrifices made by the university community. The Soldiers' Tower is accessible to the public year-round. Visitors can explore the exterior, memorial screen, and Garden of Remembrance. The interior, a heritage building, may have limited accessibility for those with disabilities, but a stairlift is available to the Memorial Room.