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Oakville in Halton Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
 

Colonel William Chisholm

1788-1842

 
 
Colonel William Chisholm Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 30, 2023
1. Colonel William Chisholm Marker
Inscription.
The founder of Oakville was born in Nova Scotia of Loyalist parents who moved to Burlington Bay in 1793. William served with distinction in the militia during the War of 1812. He settled in Nelson Township in 1816 and became a successful storekeeper, timber merchant and ship owner. In 1827 he purchased from the Crown 960 acres of uncleared land at the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek. Here he built mills, laid out a town plot and opened the harbour to shipping. Chisholm was thrice elected to represent this district in the Legislative Assembly.

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.
 
Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceSettlements & SettlersWar of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
 
Location. 43° 26.513′ N, 79° 39.962′ W. Marker is in Oakville, Ontario, in Halton Region. It is on Navy Street 0.1 kilometers south of King Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is in Lakeside Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12 Navy Street, Oakville ON L6J 2Y5, Canada. Touch for directions.

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 Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8
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other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lakeside Park Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker); Period Homes (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Period Homes (about 210 meters away); The Lock-up & Town Hall (about 210 meters away); Commercial Buildings (about 210 meters away); Early Leaders (about 210 meters away); Vision for Oakville (about 210 meters away); St. Jude’s Anglican (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakville.
 
Also see . . .  Dictionary of Canadian Biography - Chisholm, William.
Though very much a regional figure, William Chisholm, for most contemporaries, was associated with one community, Oakville. At a dinner in 1836 he was toasted by assemblyman Archibald McLean* as “a gentleman whose liberality and honourable conduct were universally known and esteemed – and to whose enterprise, energy and public spirit, Oakville was indebted for most of the advantages she at present enjoyed.”
(Submitted on November 30, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.) 
 
Colonel William Chisholm Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 30, 2023
2. Colonel William Chisholm Marker
The Erchless Estate, the Chisholm family home image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 30, 2023
3. The Erchless Estate, the Chisholm family home
Portrait of Colonel William Chisholm image. Click for full size.
4. Portrait of Colonel William Chisholm
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 348 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 6, 2026