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 "McMillan's Mills", and within a year village lots had been laid out. In 1851, with a population of 300 the thriving settlement contained several prosperous industries, including a distillery, a tannery, and carding, oatmeal and grist-mills. Agricultural prosperity and abundant waterpower stimulated the community's growth as an important regional centre for milling and the manufacture of wood products, and in 1879 a branch of the Credit Valley Railway was completed through Erin to Toronto. That year, by a Wellington County by-law, Erin was incorporated as a Village, with over 750 inhabitants.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Ontario Plaques. Full page here.