If you’ve been through Corona LRT station lately, you likely noticed 16 historic murals in the concourse level. The project is part of an initiative to add vibrancy to LRT stations while also educating the public on Corona Station’s namesake and historical context.
The murals reflect the Corona site's transformation from an apartment complex in 1908 to the Corona Hotel in 1912. In February 1932, the original hotel was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and, in 1981, was demolished to make way for First Edmonton Place, which currently stands on the site above Corona LRT Station.
The murals reflect a long history of the area over the last century where the landscape has transformed from horse buggies and dusty dirt roads to high rises and underground LRT stations. The hotel welcomed many visitors and was also known as a welcoming place for the city’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This installation provides Edmontonians with more information about this important piece of history and a deeper understanding of how the Corona LRT station got its name.”
Corona Station opened in 1983 as part of the first extension south from Central LRT Station, which opened as part of the LRT network in 1978, ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
The murals showcase archival photographs and articles from the City of Edmonton, University of Calgary, Provincial Archives of Alberta and the Edmonton Journal, which highlight the key moments of the area's history alongside visually compelling storytelling.
