Fergus in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founders of Fergus

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 30, 2021

1. The Founders of Fergus Marker

Inscription.
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 purchased over 7,000 acres of uncleared land in Nichol Township. Attracted by the abundant water power, they laid out the town site of Fergus. Webster took up residence here and supervised the settlement's early development. The first house of this predominantly Scottish community was erected in 1833, a hotel the following year and a sawmill, grist-mill, church and school in 1835. Though Fergusson lived near Waterdown, and Webster moved to Guelph in 1852, the founders continued to foster the growth of their settlement.

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Erected by The Ontario Archeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.

Location. 43° 42.292′ N, 80° 22.67′ W. Marker

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is in Fergus, Ontario, in Wellington County. It can be reached from Menzies Lane 0.1 kilometers west of St. David’s Road South. This marker is in Templin Gardens on Menzie’s Lane, behind the public library. Menzies Lane can be accessed from either St. David’s Road South or St. Andrew’s Street West. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fergus ON N1M 1L4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Templin Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); 212 St. Andrew Street W (within shouting distance of this marker); St. David Street Bridge (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Weigh Scale Building (about 120 meters away); Fergus Swimming Pool

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 30, 2021

2. The Founders of Fergus Marker

(about 120 meters away); The Fergus Curling Club / Club de Curling de Fergus (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); The Kissing Stane (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fergus.

Also see . . .
1. Downtown Fergus. Historic Fergus est. 1833 (Submitted on March 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

2. Fergus| The Canadian Encylopedia. (Submitted on March 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Additional commentary.
1.
Fergus has proudly maintained much of its Scottish heritage, and has an annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games in August.

— Submitted March 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.

The Grand River in Fergus from Templin Gardens image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 30, 2021

3. The Grand River in Fergus from Templin Gardens

The public library in Fergus on St. Andrew’s St. W. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 30, 2023

4. The public library in Fergus on St. Andrew’s St. W.

Shop on St. Andrew’s Street in downtown Fergus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 30, 2023

5. Shop on St. Andrew’s Street in downtown Fergus

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 444 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 19, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.