Bust of Abraham Cristall

Located on the Heritage Trail along the Victoria Promenade, a bronze bust of Abraham Cristall faces south towards the river, alongside the busts of three other prominent historic Edmonton citizens: Nellie McClung, Maude Bowman, and Judge Lucien Dubuc.

Abraham Cristall was a prominent booster of Edmonton’s economic potential, a popular entrepreneur, and a community leader. Cristall came to Canada from Russia in 1890 and settled in Edmonton in 1894. He dedicated his life to developing a strong Jewish community in Edmonton through his active support of the synagogue, a Jewish school, and the observance of tradition. His outward vision maintained contact between the Jewish community and the community at large. Cristall and his wife Rebecca were the first members of the Jewish community in Edmonton.