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

Life “Over the Creek”

Sixteen Mile Creek Trail

 
 
Life “Over the Creek” Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 30, 2023
1. Life “Over the Creek” Marker
Inscription.
Tannery Park
Life "Over the Creek"
West Harbors history as a working class neighborhood began in the 1830s with William Chisholm's need to raise money for his ill-fated Oakville Hydraulic Company, which was to construct a dam on the Sixteen to produce water power.

The lots "over the creek" had originally been the same size as those on the east side. But before their sale in 1836, they were re-surveyed and reduced in size. Forsyth, Richardson & Co., a major mercantile company of the day, took many of the lots to develop as workingmen's cottages. James Forsyth, Thomas Anderson and William Walker were all company officials and Chisholm friends whose names survive on local street signs.

Unfortunately, Chisholm's venture failed and ruined him financially. Within two days of the sheriff's sale of his assets, he was dead, in March of 1842.

Other local heritage homes include:

38 Burnet St., built circa 1855, by shoemaker Michael Quinn.
132 Chisholm St., built circa 1857 by handyman John Crowton.
142 Forsythe St., built circa 1859 by harness-maker Henry Gulledge.
10 Burnet St., built circa 1870 by carpenter Alfred Mapes.
59 Chisholm St., built circa 1874 by ship carpenter Thomas Cavan.

 
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Town of Oakville.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1842.
 
Location. 43° 26.402′ N, 79° 40.104′ W. Marker is in Oakville, Ontario, in Halton Region. It is on Walker Street 0.1 kilometers east of Chisholm Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in Tannery Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Walker St, Oakville ON L6K 3R7, 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 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Tannery (here, next to this marker); The Temperance Movement (here, next to this marker); West Harbour (here, next to this marker); H.M.C.S. Oakville (within shouting distance of this marker); HMCS Oakville (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Lighthouse (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Colonel William Chisholm (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Lyon’s Log Cabin (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakville.
 
Life “Over the Creek” Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 30, 2023
2. Life “Over the Creek” Marker
Life “Over the Creek” marker photo detail image. Click for full size.
3. Life “Over the Creek” marker photo detail
Life “Over the Creek” marker photo detail image. Click for full size.
4. Life “Over the Creek” marker photo detail
Plan of Oakville, 1876 image. Click for full size.
1876
5. Plan of Oakville, 1876
Showing the smaller lots on the west side of Sixteen Mile Creek
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 6, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 6, 2026