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The Founding of Port Elgin

Port Elgin's development began when, in 1854, Benjamin Shantz, one of Saugeen Township's early settlers, acquired from George Butchart a sawmill on Mill Creek. Nearby he built a grist-mill and...

Port Elgin's development began when, in 1854, Benjamin Shantz, one of Saugeen Township's early settlers, acquired from George Butchart a sawmill on Mill Creek. Nearby he built a grist-mill...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fort Wellington

The first Fort Wellington was erected on this site during the War of 1812 to shelter British regular troops and Canadian Militia defending the vital St. Lawrence River transportation route. In...

The first Fort Wellington was erected on this site during the War of 1812 to shelter British regular troops and Canadian Militia defending the vital St. Lawrence River transportation route....

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fairfield House

This is one of few eighteenth-century Loyalist residences remaining in Ontario. William and Abigail Fairfield were among the first Loyalists to settle this area after the American Revolution. They...

This is one of few eighteenth-century Loyalist residences remaining in Ontario. William and Abigail Fairfield were among the first Loyalists to settle this area after the American Revolution. They...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Osgoode Township

Named for William Osgoode, the first Chief Justice of Upper Canada, Osgoode Township was established on lands the British acquired from the Mississaugas in the 1780s. Land for farming and a...

Named for William Osgoode, the first Chief Justice of Upper Canada, Osgoode Township was established on lands the British acquired from the Mississaugas in the 1780s. Land for farming and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Omemee

About 1820 Maurice Cottingham settled here on the Pigeon River in Emily Township. By 1835 his family had acquired much of the site of the present village. William Cottingham had built mills and...

About 1820 Maurice Cottingham settled here on the Pigeon River in Emily Township. By 1835 his family had acquired much of the site of the present village. William Cottingham had built mills...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Thedford

In 1858, during the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway through this region, Nelson Southworth purchased land here on the line, donated a site for a station and laid out a village plot named...

In 1858, during the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway through this region, Nelson Southworth purchased land here on the line, donated a site for a station and laid out a village plot named...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Founding of Burritt's Rapids

In 1793 Stephen and Daniel Burritt, two brothers from Arlington, Vermont, settled in this vicinity. A bridge, sawmill and school were built here at "Daniel Burritt's Rapids" before 1826. In 1830,...

In 1793 Stephen and Daniel Burritt, two brothers from Arlington, Vermont, settled in this vicinity. A bridge, sawmill and school were built here at "Daniel Burritt's Rapids" before 1826. In...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The First Welland Canal 1824-1833

Lock number 6 of the original Welland Canal lies in the adjacent watercourse about 213 metres south-west of here. This first or "wooden" canal, constructed 1824-33 by the Welland Canal Company,...

Lock number 6 of the original Welland Canal lies in the adjacent watercourse about 213 metres south-west of here. This first or "wooden" canal, constructed 1824-33 by the Welland Canal...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Edward Blake 1833-1912

Lawyer, leading member of the Canada First movement, and statesman, Edward Blake was born in Middlesex County, Upper Canada. He was the second premier of Ontario (1871-2) and a member of the House...

Lawyer, leading member of the Canada First movement, and statesman, Edward Blake was born in Middlesex County, Upper Canada. He was the second premier of Ontario (1871-2) and a member of the House...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ermatinger House

This house, built between 1814 and 1823 by Charles Ermatinger of the North West Company, is the oldest surviving house in northwestern Ontario. Constructed when Sault Ste. Marie was still a small...

This house, built between 1814 and 1823 by Charles Ermatinger of the North West Company, is the oldest surviving house in northwestern Ontario. Constructed when Sault Ste. Marie was still a small...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Élisabeth Bruyère 1818-1876

In the 1840s, Bytown (Ottawa) was growing timber-trade village with a substantial French-Canadian population but no Catholic schools and few social services. In February of 1845 the Sisters of...

In the 1840s, Bytown (Ottawa) was growing timber- trade village with a substantial French-Canadian population but no Catholic schools and few social services. In February of 1845 the Sisters...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Emily Ferguson Murphy 1868-1933

A leading Canadian feminist, journalist and reformer, Emily Murphy lived in Chatham from 1890 to 1894 when her husband was rector of this church. In 1916 she was appointed police magistrate for...

A leading Canadian feminist, journalist and reformer, Emily Murphy lived in Chatham from 1890 to 1894 when her husband was rector of this church. In 1916 she was appointed police magistrate for...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Explorers of Muskoka and Haliburton

Following the War of 1812 expeditions traversed the wilderness between Lakes Simcoe and Muskoka and the Ottawa River, seeking a route across Upper Canada less open to attack than by the St....

Following the War of 1812 expeditions traversed the wilderness between Lakes Simcoe and Muskoka and the Ottawa River, seeking a route across Upper Canada less open to attack than by the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Ernest Alexander Cruikshank 1853-1939

Born in Bertie Township, Cruikshank worked as a journalist and translator before being commissioned in the 44th Welland Battalion in 1877. Rising to the rank of Brigadier-General in 1915, he...

Born in Bertie Township, Cruikshank worked as a journalist and translator before being commissioned in the 44th Welland Battalion in 1877. Rising to the rank of Brigadier-General in 1915, he...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Eldon House

Built in 1834 by Capt. John Harris, R.N., treasurer of the London District, this is London's oldest remaining house. With his wife Amelia, daughter of Samuel Ryerse, Harris came to London after...

Built in 1834 by Capt. John Harris, R.N., treasurer of the London District, this is London's oldest remaining house. With his wife Amelia, daughter of Samuel Ryerse, Harris came to London after...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Escape of the Royal George 1812

Opposite here is the gap between Amherst Island and the eastern tip of Prince Edward County. On November 9, 1812, the British Corvette "Royal George" (22 guns), commanded by Commodore Hugh...

Opposite here is the gap between Amherst Island and the eastern tip of Prince Edward County. On November 9, 1812, the British Corvette "Royal George" (22 guns), commanded by Commodore...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Elise von Koerber and Swiss Settlement

In 1873 a small group of Swiss immigrants arrived in the Parry Sound District and formed the basis for a Swiss colony. The settlement was organized and directed by Elise von Koerber, a native of...

In 1873 a small group of Swiss immigrants arrived in the Parry Sound District and formed the basis for a Swiss colony. The settlement was organized and directed by Elise von Koerber, a native...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Elizabeth Cottage

Elizabeth Cottage is a charming example of the Gothic Revival style. Reputedly built in the 1840s with a later addition, it is the work of the Kingston architect, Edward Horsey, and originally...

Elizabeth Cottage is a charming example of the Gothic Revival style. Reputedly built in the 1840s with a later addition, it is the work of the Kingston architect, Edward Horsey, and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Eildon Hall

One of the oldest structures in the area, this interesting house was the first Canadian residence of Susan Mein Sibbald (1783-1866), a gentlewoman pioneer whose memoirs were published posthumously...

One of the oldest structures in the area, this interesting house was the first Canadian residence of Susan Mein Sibbald (1783-1866), a gentlewoman pioneer whose memoirs were published...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Egerton Ryerson 1803-1882

Born near Vittoria, Upper Canada, Ryerson became a Methodist minister in 1825 and was appointed editor of the Methodist Christian Guardian in 1829. At one time a strong ally of Reformers in...

Born near Vittoria, Upper Canada, Ryerson became a Methodist minister in 1825 and was appointed editor of the Methodist Christian Guardian in 1829. At one time a strong ally of Reformers...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown