Longboat, Tom National Historic Person
Six Nations Grand River Reserve / Oshweken, Ontario
Tom Longboat, 1907
© Canada. Bureau des brevets et du droit d'auteur | Patent and Copyright Office, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada | Library and Archives Canada / no d'acquisition 1966-094 / e010857298
Address :
1738 4th Line, Six Nations Grand River Reserve / Oshweken, Ontario
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1976-11-06
Life Date:
1886 to 1949
Other Name(s):
-
Longboat, Tom
(Designation Name)
Research Report Number:
1976-052
Importance:
Famous long distance runner, won the 1907 Boston Marathon
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: 1738 4th Line, Six Nations Grand River Reserve / Ohsweken, Ontario
This Onondaga athlete, born on the Six Nations reserve of the Grand River Iroquois, became the foremost long distance runner of his time. He followed the ancient Iroquois tradition of running, winning many races in Canada and abroad, including the Boston Marathon of 1907. He also participated in the Olympics of 1908. Competing when professional foot races were a popular attraction, he was one of the first Canadian athletes to make a living solely from sports. Retiring from competitive racing before the First World War, he later served as a despatch carrier in that conflict. He died on this reserve.