Oakville in Halton Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Life “Over the Creek”
— Sixteen Mile Creek Trail —
Photographed By Tim Boyd, November 30, 2023
1. Life “Over the Creek” Marker
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.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & 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. Marker 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.
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); Colonel William Chisholm (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Lock-up & Town Hall (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Commercial Buildings (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakville.
Photographed By Tim Boyd, November 30, 2023
2. Life “Over the Creek” Marker
3. Life “Over the Creek” marker photo detail
4. Life “Over the Creek” marker photo detail
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 58 times since then and 19 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.
