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The Founders of Fergus

Adam Fergusson (1782-1862) first visited Canada in 1831 to investigate emigration for the Highland Society of Scotland. In 1833, in partnership with a fellow Scot, James Webster (1808-69), he...

Adam Fergusson (1782-1862) first visited Canada in 1831 to investigate emigration for the Highland Society of Scotland. In 1833, in partnership with a fellow Scot, James Webster (1808-69),...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The French Presence in Cornwall

A vital cultural force in Eastern Ontario, the Franco-Ontarian community in Cornwall was established during the late 1870s when large-scale industrial expansion led to an influx of workers and...

A vital cultural force in Eastern Ontario, the Franco-Ontarian community in Cornwall was established during the late 1870s when large-scale industrial expansion led to an influx of workers and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Bracebridge

In 1862 the Muskoka Road, a colonization route built to open this region for settlement, was completed to the first falls on the north branch of the Muskoka River. A settlement, including a...

In 1862 the Muskoka Road, a colonization route built to open this region for settlement, was completed to the first falls on the north branch of the Muskoka River. A settlement, including...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

First Newspaper 1793

The Upper Canada Gazette or American Oracle, first newspaper in what is now Ontario, was published in the town of Niagara. Its first issue, edited by Louis Roy, appeared April 18, 1793. On this...

The Upper Canada Gazette or American Oracle, first newspaper in what is now Ontario, was published in the town of Niagara. Its first issue, edited by Louis Roy, appeared April 18, 1793. On this...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Stratford

In 1832, some three years after company surveyors had erected shanties near this site, the Canada Company, a large private land settlement agency, initiated the development of " Little Thames" as...

In 1832, some three years after company surveyors had erected shanties near this site, the Canada Company, a large private land settlement agency, initiated the development of " Little Thames"...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Founders of Campbellford

In 1831 two Scottish-born brothers, Lieut.-Col. Robert Campbell and Major David Campbell, were granted 890 ha of land in Seymour Township, which had been surveyed in 1819. Robert who had achieved...

In 1831 two Scottish-born brothers, Lieut.-Col. Robert Campbell and Major David Campbell, were granted 890 ha of land in Seymour Township, which had been surveyed in 1819. Robert who had...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Founding of Parry Sound

About 1857 James and William Gibson erected a sawmill at the mouth of the Seguin River. William Beatty, with his sons James and William, acquired the mill in 1863, and the following year were...

About 1857 James and William Gibson erected a sawmill at the mouth of the Seguin River. William Beatty, with his sons James and William, acquired the mill in 1863, and the following year...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Chippawa

In 1792-94 a village grew up near Fort Chippawa on Chippawa Creek at the end of the new portage road from Queenston. In 1793 the creek was renamed the Welland River, but the village, where a...

In 1792-94 a village grew up near Fort Chippawa on Chippawa Creek at the end of the new portage road from Queenston. In 1793 the creek was renamed the Welland River, but the village, where a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Cornwall

In June 1784 disbanded Loyalist soldiers and their families settled at New Johnstown, the site of present-day Cornwall. Initially called Pointe Maligne, the area had been visited by native traders...

In June 1784 disbanded Loyalist soldiers and their families settled at New Johnstown, the site of present-day Cornwall. Initially called Pointe Maligne, the area had been visited by native traders...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Bobcaygeon

In 1833, shortly after the settlement of this region began, Thomas Need settled here at "Bobcaygeon", the narrows between Sturgeon and Pigeon Lakes. When the government began the construction in...

In 1833, shortly after the settlement of this region began, Thomas Need settled here at "Bobcaygeon", the narrows between Sturgeon and Pigeon Lakes. When the government began the construction in...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Newboro

The settlement of this area was begun during the building of the Rideau Canal in 1826-32 when a major construction camp was located here at the Isthmus. In 1833 Benjamin Tett, owner of a nearby...

The settlement of this area was begun during the building of the Rideau Canal in 1826-32 when a major construction camp was located here at the Isthmus. In 1833 Benjamin Tett, owner of a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Erin

A small community developed here following the erection of mills on the Credit River about 1828-29. These were later rebuilt by Daniel McMillan. In 1839 a post-office, Erin, was established at...

A small community developed here following the erection of mills on the Credit River about 1828-29. These were later rebuilt by Daniel McMillan. In 1839 a post-office, Erin, was established at...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Sturgeon Falls

The development of Sturgeon Falls began in 1881 with the arrival of Canadian Pacific Railway constructions teams and the opening of a post office. About a year earlier the communities first...

The development of Sturgeon Falls began in 1881 with the arrival of Canadian Pacific Railway constructions teams and the opening of a post office. About a year earlier the communities...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Ancaster

In 1791 James Wilson in partnership with Richard Beasley built a sawmill and a grist-mill on the site of this community. The mills were sold to Jean Baptiste Rousseaux (known as St. John) in 1794...

In 1791 James Wilson in partnership with Richard Beasley built a sawmill and a grist-mill on the site of this community. The mills were sold to Jean Baptiste Rousseaux (known as St. John) in 1794...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Ferguson Highway

In 1925 the Ontario government began construction of this 320 km trunk-road between Cochrane and North Bay. The road was intended to link the rapidly developing mining and agricultural communities...

In 1925 the Ontario government began construction of this 320 km trunk-road between Cochrane and North Bay. The road was intended to link the rapidly developing mining and agricultural communities...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of L'Orignal

The earliest settlers in this area, Joseph La Rocque-Brune and Raymond Duffaut, had located by 1791. Five years later Nathaniel Treadwell, a land surveyor and speculator from Plattsburg, New York,...

The earliest settlers in this area, Joseph La Rocque-Brune and Raymond Duffaut, had located by 1791. Five years later Nathaniel Treadwell, a land surveyor and speculator from Plattsburg, New...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The First Amish Settlement

In 1822 Christian Nafziger, an Amish Mennonite from Munich, Germany, came to Upper Canada to find land on which to settle some 70 German families. With the assistance of a group of Mennonites...

In 1822 Christian Nafziger, an Amish Mennonite from Munich, Germany, came to Upper Canada to find land on which to settle some 70 German families. With the assistance of a group of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Milverton

By 1851 Andrew West, a New York native, had opened a hotel in the recently surveyed township of Mornington. This building was the focal point around which a small community initially known as...

By 1851 Andrew West, a New York native, had opened a hotel in the recently surveyed township of Mornington. This building was the focal point around which a small community initially known...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Cardinal

The grist-mill built at Point Cardinal by Hugh Munro about 1796 fostered the development here of a small settlement. A sawmill and store were later erected, and in 1837 a post-office,...

The grist-mill built at Point Cardinal by Hugh Munro about 1796 fostered the development here of a small settlement. A sawmill and store were later erected, and in 1837 a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Founding of Gravenhurst

The Muskoka Road, constructed to open the district north of Washago for settlement, had reached this point at the head of Lake Muskoka by 1859. A community soon developed and in 1862 a post-office...

The Muskoka Road, constructed to open the district north of Washago for settlement, had reached this point at the head of Lake Muskoka by 1859. A community soon developed and in 1862 a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown