Locorum London
The Thames River is the defining landmark of London. It was named a Canadian Heritage River in 2000, and has held the title since due to great preservation efforts from the city.
Despite holding the respect of Londoner’s, many may not realize this area was chosen for the city in the 17th century as a result of the Thames River. Amber Lloyd Langston is the Curator of Regional History at the Museum of London. She expresses that without the Thames, there would not be a London as we know it.
“It has always been here, it was here first. It’s the reason London is where it is, because of the river. The river is not here because of the city, but the other way around. So Simcoe saw the site, and saw yes, we will live here.”
The Simcoe she is referring to is John Graves Simcoe, founder of London. Langston goes on to mention that since the establishment of the London, the history of the city and that of the river have gone hand in hand.
“From when it was the village, and the river was a source of water and power, into when it grew into a city and all the way through. I think it is a part of our identity these days. Our history is tied up with it.”
The Thames clearly has a special place in every Londoner’s heart, and it’s history will continue to intertwine with that of the city.
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