Where Queen Victoria spends Victoria Day in Toronto.

Historicist, the history column (currently up for a National Magazine Award) at the Torontoist blog, salutes the May long weekend with an essay on why Queen Victoria somehow failed to get her statue reigning over all the principal places around Toronto, including her own Queen's Park.

No sooner had the statue for Queen’s Park been selected, than controversy arose over the placement of the statue. In the absence of a Queen Victoria monument, the prime place of prominence at the head of University Avenue had been occupied since 1894 by Hamilton MacCarthy’s statue of Sir John A. Macdonald. The premier recommended relocating the former prime minister in deference to the crown, while opponents of this idea were adamant that Macdonald should remain right where he stood. 

John A. won that one.  Her Majesty now graces one of the side door entrances to the Ontario legislature.

And Al Purdy's is the best statue in the park behind. Well, the equestrian one of someone called Edward VII is pretty handsome too.

(Photos t:  QV from Historicist, which credits City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1568, Item 203.  KE from Wikipedia)