Christ Church, Upper Canada Village, Ontario

A landmark is usually significant to a community. It tells a story of a place that was once so important that it deserved eternal recognition. Maybe it was the home of a prominent community leader? Maybe it was a statue erected of someone who did something majestic? Perhaps it’s a plaque outside of a cemetery honouring all those who rested within, thanking them for their part in shaping a home for everyone.

It is important to document these places, these buildings, these monuments and these plaques in order to bring awareness to local history. Learning the names of important community leaders could give explanation to why certain streets have their particular name, or why a run down home will not be torn down and is instead given heritage status. Try to photograph these various historically significant landmarks in different lights, seasons and using a variety of different angles. This will capture all sorts of perspectives, and help paint a picture to particular story hunters looking for fulfillment in their ancestral history.

Visit your local archives to see if there are particularly important historical landmarks near you. They are everywhere. Lighthouses, old graveyards, statues covered in moss down in the park, dedications on plaques sitting at the foot of a tree, the old home with the iron gate on the Main Street and many more. Pay attention to the beauty of your town and snap a photo. You may be providing someone with a key piece of evidence to support rumors about their past. It’s worth it.