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

The Evolution of a Port Town

— Sixteen Mile Creek Trail —

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 8, 2024

1. The Evolution of a Port Town Marker

Inscription.
Following his purchase of 960 acres of land around the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek in 1827, William Chisholm invested heavily in Oakville. He established a shipyard, dredged the mouth of the river and built two piers out into the lake to create a protected harbour.

During the next twenty years, as many as sixteen sailing schooners might be in the harbour at any one time, loading up with white oak staves and wheat destined for Lower Canada, Europe and the United States.

With the coming of the railroad in 1855, use of the harbour declined. In 1874 it was transferred to the Town of Oakville "for the nominal sum of two hundred and fifty dollars".

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.

Location. 43° 26.538′ N, 79° 40.282′ W. Marker is in Oakville, Ontario, in Halton Region. It is in Kerr Village. It is on Francis Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is in Shipyard Park, just north of the Lyon’s Log Cabin, approx. 200 metres from the park’s entrance at Forsythe and Francis Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakville ON L6K L6K, 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: William Chisholm’s Vision (here, next to this marker); Days of Sail and Steam

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(here, next to this marker); Oakville’s Yachting Heritage (here, next to this marker); Oakville: Resort Town on Lake Ontario (here, next to this marker); The Young Port Matures (here, next to this marker); Lyon’s Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Lighthouse (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Oakville’s Meeting Hall (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakville.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 8, 2024

2. The Evolution of a Port Town Marker

The Evolution of a Port Town marker photo detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 8, 2024

3. The Evolution of a Port Town marker photo detail

courtesy Oakville Historical Society, 1908

4. The Evolution of a Port Town marker photo detail

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 8, 2024

5. The Evolution of a Port Town marker photo detail

East Bank of Sixteen Mile Creek, 2024, showing the Oakville Club image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 8, 2024

6. East Bank of Sixteen Mile Creek, 2024, showing the Oakville Club

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 18, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.