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The Founding of Wingham

In the early 1850s, settlers began moving into the townships in the Queen's Bush north of the Huron Tract. One of these townships, Turnberry, was surveyed by 1853 and a plot for a market town...

In the early 1850s, settlers began moving into the townships in the Queen's Bush north of the Huron Tract. One of these townships, Turnberry, was surveyed by 1853 and a plot for a market...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Bath

Settlement of this village, one of Ontario's oldest communities, began in 1784 when discharged soldiers from Jessup's Rangers, a Loyalist corps, took up land grants in the vicinity. The sheltered...

Settlement of this village, one of Ontario's oldest communities, began in 1784 when discharged soldiers from Jessup's Rangers, a Loyalist corps, took up land grants in the vicinity. The...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Field House

One of the oldest brick houses in Ontario, this handsome Georgian structure was built about 1800. Originally a farm house, it was the home of Gilbert Field (1765-1815), a United Empire Loyalist...

One of the oldest brick houses in Ontario, this handsome Georgian structure was built about 1800. Originally a farm house, it was the home of Gilbert Field (1765-1815), a United Empire Loyalist...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Mitchell

In 1836 the Canada Company, a large private land settlement agency, laid out a town plot (Mitchell) here on the Huron Road. Within a year John Hicks, one of Logan Township's earliest settlers, had...

In 1836 the Canada Company, a large private land settlement agency, laid out a town plot (Mitchell) here on the Huron Road. Within a year John Hicks, one of Logan Township's earliest settlers,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Founding of Bala 1868

Thomas W. Burgess, Bala's first settler, brought his family here to "Musquosh Falls" in 1868, probably aboard the steamer "Wenonah". Burgess opened a sawmill and store to serve the pioneers...

Thomas W. Burgess, Bala's first settler, brought his family here to "Musquosh Falls" in 1868, probably aboard the steamer "Wenonah". Burgess opened a sawmill and store to serve the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Father Pierre Potier 1708-1781

The first Pastor of the Assumption Church, Potier was born in Blandain, in present day Belgium. In 1721 he entered a Jesuit college and, after pronouncing his final vows in 1743, he came to...

The first Pastor of the Assumption Church, Potier was born in Blandain, in present day Belgium. In 1721 he entered a Jesuit college and, after pronouncing his final vows in 1743, he came...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fort George

Constructed by order of Lieutenant Governor Simcoe 1796-99, Fort George served as the headquarters for Major-General Brock in 1812. In May, 1813, it was bombarded and captured by the Americans who...

Constructed by order of Lieutenant Governor Simcoe 1796-99, Fort George served as the headquarters for Major-General Brock in 1812. In May, 1813, it was bombarded and captured by the Americans...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Cochrane

For centuries the site of Cochrane was used by indigenous peoples as a summer camping ground. Later it became a stopping place for fur traders en route to Moose Factory. In 1907 the Temiskaming...

For centuries the site of Cochrane was used by indigenous peoples as a summer camping ground. Later it became a stopping place for fur traders en route to Moose Factory. In 1907 the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Francois Baby House

This house and adjacent farmland were the property of François Baby (1763-1856), first member for Kent in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada (1792-96), militia officer and Assistant Quarter...

This house and adjacent farmland were the property of François Baby (1763-1856), first member for Kent in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada (1792-96), militia officer and Assistant...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Founding of Strathroy

In 1830 James Buchanan, the British Consul at New York City, acquired a tract of 485 ha of unsettled land in Adelaide Township. He transferred control of the property to his son, John Stewart...

In 1830 James Buchanan, the British Consul at New York City, acquired a tract of 485 ha of unsettled land in Adelaide Township. He transferred control of the property to his son, John Stewart...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fort St. Pierre

The first post on Rainy Lake was Fort Tekamanigan, built by Robutel de La Noue in 1717, but soon abandoned, probably because of Sioux hostility. In 1731, Sieur de La Jemaraye, La Vérendrye's...

The first post on Rainy Lake was Fort Tekamanigan, built by Robutel de La Noue in 1717, but soon abandoned, probably because of Sioux hostility. In 1731, Sieur de La Jemaraye, La Vérendrye's...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fort Kaministiquia 1717

A small fort was established near here in 1717 by a French officer, Zacharie Robutel de la Nouë. First of a projected series of bases en route to the "Western Sea", it replaced a structure built...

A small fort was established near here in 1717 by a French officer, Zacharie Robutel de la Nouë. First of a projected series of bases en route to the "Western Sea", it replaced a structure...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Deseronto

Led by Deserontyon (Captain John), a group of Mohawks, supporters of the British during the American Revolution, in 1784 became this area's first settlers. Lands to the east of the Mohawks'...

Led by Deserontyon (Captain John), a group of Mohawks, supporters of the British during the American Revolution, in 1784 became this area's first settlers. Lands to the east of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Francis Hector Clergue (1856-1939)

A Maine born promoter, Clergue transformed Sault Ste. Marie into a major industrial centre. He purchased an unfinished hydroelectric station and canal at the Sault in 1894; then, lacking markets...

A Maine born promoter, Clergue transformed Sault Ste. Marie into a major industrial centre. He purchased an unfinished hydroelectric station and canal at the Sault in 1894; then, lacking...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

First Town Meeting 1790

Near this site on April 5, 1790, was held the earliest known session of a municipal government in what is now Ontario. This 'town meeting' of Township No. 6, later named Grimsby, dealt with such...

Near this site on April 5, 1790, was held the earliest known session of a municipal government in what is now Ontario. This 'town meeting' of Township No. 6, later named Grimsby, dealt with such...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Cobourg

Saw and grist mills erected in this area during the first decade of the 19th century fostered the development here of a small settlement. The completion of the Kingston Road by 1817 facilitated...

Saw and grist mills erected in this area during the first decade of the 19th century fostered the development here of a small settlement. The completion of the Kingston Road by 1817 facilitated...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Frontenac County Court House

This grand Neo-classical building has served the courts of Frontenac County since its opening in 1858. Designed by the Dorset-born architect, Edward Horsey, it is superbly sited on land originally...

This grand Neo-classical building has served the courts of Frontenac County since its opening in 1858. Designed by the Dorset-born architect, Edward Horsey, it is superbly sited on land originally...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fort Mississauga

This tower and earthwork are all that survive of the barracks, guardroom, and cells of Fort Mississauga. Built between 1814 and 1816 to replace Fort George as the counterpoise to the American Fort...

This tower and earthwork are all that survive of the barracks, guardroom, and cells of Fort Mississauga. Built between 1814 and 1816 to replace Fort George as the counterpoise to the American Fort...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Walkerton

In 1850 Joseph Walker came here to the Durham Road where it crosses the Saugeen River. He built an inn and contracted to build two bridges and a part of the road. He and his son William were in...

In 1850 Joseph Walker came here to the Durham Road where it crosses the Saugeen River. He built an inn and contracted to build two bridges and a part of the road. He and his son William were in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Fryfogel's Inn

Erected about 1844-45, this building was situated on the Huron Road, a pioneer highway which opened up the Canada Company's Huron Tract. Its original owner, Sebastian Fryfogel, said to be the...

Erected about 1844-45, this building was situated on the Huron Road, a pioneer highway which opened up the Canada Company's Huron Tract. Its original owner, Sebastian Fryfogel, said to be the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown