Burlington in Halton Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Founding of Burlington
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 27, 2023
1. The Founding of Burlington Marker
In 1798 Joseph Brant, the celebrated Mohawk War Chief, was given a Crown grant of 3,450 acres in this area. James Gage purchased land from the Brant Tract in 1810, and laid out a town site at the northern end of Burlington Beach from Brant Street easterly. Situated on the road between York (Toronto) and Niagara, the settlement, known as "Wellington Square", prospered and a post office was opened in 1826. A tannery, pottery and steam grist-mill were in operation by 1846. Growth was further stimulated with the arrival in 1854 of the Great Western Railway. The hamlets of Wellington Square and Port Nelson were incorporated as the Village of Burlington in 1873 which became a town in 1914.
Erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Archives of Ontario
Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Archives of Ontario.
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 1810.
Location. 43° 19.575′ N, 79° 47.934′ W. Marker is in Burlington,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto, specifically on the Golden Horseshoe, in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area, and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area. 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Burlington Cenotaph (a few steps from this marker); 125th Anniversary Clock, 1999 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Knox Presbyterian Church (about 150 meters away); William Bunton Esq. 1820-1881 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Spencer Smith Park
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 27, 2023
2. The Founding of Burlington Marker
Burlington City Hall in the background
Regarding The Founding of Burlington. The Brant Tract, commonly referred to as Brants Block, was patented to Joseph Brant in February of 1798. At that time, the Block was bounded by the Township of Flamborough to the west and Lake Ontario to the south. The northern extent of Brants Block was just south of the northern boundary of the First Concession South of Dundas Street and the eastern boundary extended easterly into Lot 18. Of Brants original Patent, 50 acres each was set aside for his wife and eight children.
Also see . . .
1. Burlington. The Canadian Encyclopedia website entry:
Indigenous peoples have lived in the Burlington area for thousands of years. The Neutral lived along the western end of Lake Ontario until the Iroquois Wars of the middle and late 17th century. During these wars, fought in part over control of the fur trade, the Haudenosaunee depopulated and dispersed the Neutral. In(Submitted on April 28, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)the early 1700s, the Anishinaabeg, including the Mississauga, began migrating to southwestern Ontario. In particular, they settled along the shores of Lake Ontario.
3. Wellington Square (later Burlington) in 1858 on Treamines Map of Halton County.
2. Brant's Block. Nitrogenealogy website entry (Submitted on December 23, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 987 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
