Around the ROM

The Queen Alexander Gates were originally built in 1901 and stood on Bloor Street at the north entrance to Queen’s Park. 
The structure was a gift to commemorate the visit of Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later the Prince and Princess of Wales).

The Daughters of the Empire (later the Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire, IODE) financed the building of the gate.

The letters E.A. on the gates stand for Edward and Alexandra, the then King and Queen of England. Alexandra was the Duke's mother.

The Duke, of course would become King George V in 1910.

When Avenue Road was widened in 1959-60, the pillars were modified and moved to the head of Philosopher's Walk, the pedestrian walkway located between the Royal Ontario Museum and the Conservatory of Music.

This walkway follows the path of a buried underground stream known as "Taddle Creek".

As you walk along the brick pathway between these two gates you will notice the slight curves along your route.

This underground stream was buried during the “Industrial Age” and converted into an underground sewer.

It runs from Wychwood park in the Annex south down Huron Street and across Lowther.

From there it flows across St. George and Prince Arthur Streets. 

At Bloor Street it curves east and runs south into Philosopher’s Walk, under College and University, and the underneath Sick Kids. 

It winds it way through the Eaton Centre and Massey Hall, before eventually dumping into Lake Ontario, near Queen’s Quay and Parliament.