HGH Granite Inc.

When we worked on the LaSalle Cenotaph Park memorial back in 2014, there was already an important piece of history to work with.

The town’s original granite cenotaph had been standing since 1995, honouring Canadians who served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and on peace keeping missions.

In 2014, the original cenotaph became part of a new, larger memorial – and one of the most interesting parts of the project for us was helping incorporate the existing stonework into the new design.

We supplied the Barre Grey granite memorial wall and installed the stone elements, including the granite world map behind the cenotaph.

Look closely at the map and you’ll see smooth and textured finishes distinguishing water from land, along with pins marking locations around the world where Canadian Armed Forces have served.

There’s also another detail that makes this memorial special.

The monument was positioned so that a slot in the steel plate above allows a beam of sunlight to travel across the granite map.

At 11 a.m. every November 11, that light falls on central Europe – creating a lasting tribute to Remembrance Day.

Image credit: Town of LaSalle

They may not be human but our Manitou telehandler and Hino L6 knuckle boom truck are key members of the HGH team - handling the heavy lifting and playing an essential role in our day-to-day operations.

As you can see in these images, multiple components often require careful handling on site, using a telehandler to position each element accurately.

These photos were kindly taken by Roley Hewines of trucking company, Western Hill Equipment, who helped deliver our telehandler to Mount Pleasant cemetery for an installation.

We regularly work with Western Hill whenever shipments like these are required, and value their attention to detail. They bring the same precision and coordination to projects that we pride ourselves in. Thanks to the team!

The Terry Fox memorial at Spencer Smith Park in Burlington marks the exact spot where legendary Canadian athlete Terry Fox reached 3,582 kilometres during his 1980 Marathon of Hope.

Crafted from Barre Grey granite (Steeled finish) by the HGH team, the memorial marks one of our country’s most inspiring sporting stories.

As communities across the country prepare for this September's annual Terry Fox Run, we love that Terry's determination, courage, and belief in helping others is still inspiring Canadians, more than 40 years on!

Image: Google My Business image posted by NB

20 years ago we worked on a project that we’ll never forget - the Ontario Veterans’ Memorial on the grounds of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto.

Unveiled in September 2006, it’s a striking 30-metre-long granite wall that tells the stories of Canadian military heroes, from 1867 onwards.

We worked closely with the artist Allan Harding MacKay - and landscape architects Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg - to deliver the Jet Black granite for the wall, and to laser etch the evocative photographic imagery you see on its surface.

Our laser etching process removes the polished surface of black granite to reveal the lighter stone beneath, allowing for detailed artwork like this to look like it’s become a part of the stone itself.

Two decades on, it’s still special to look back at the craftsmanship involved - and to see the memorial still standing proud in Toronto.

Happy anniversary, Ontario Veterans’ Memorial. It was a real honour to be a part of this project.

At HGH, our team is always on the lookout for granite inspiration.

Like this awesome red granite and bronze public fountain that our colleague Renay spotted on her summer travels in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The fountain - called Musikbrunnen (Music Fountain) - was created in 1986 by Berlin Sculptor Joachim Schmettau.

And as you can see it features granite components - base and musical motifs - and a gold-plated conductor figure on top!

Do you have a favourite granite sculpture?

🇨🇦We’ll be closed for Labour Day on Monday, September 7th.

The plan is to take a well-earned break and spend some chilled time with friends and family.

Wishing our clients, colleagues and partners a restful long weekend, too!
See you all again on Tuesday, September 8th.

Day or night, full or empty, Berczy Park in downtown Toronto, is always beautiful.

We will always be proud to have worked as the granite consultant on this project and delivered the complex granite paving ‘carpet’, and fountain basin.

Thank you to all the following photographers for capturing the fountain in all its stunning glory.

📸 credits: ; ; ; on Instagram