Parkhill in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founding of Parkhill

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

1. The Founding of Parkhill Marker

Inscription. The opening of a railway station near here in 1860 on the recently completed Grand Trunk line from Guelph to Sarnia provided the nucleus around which a community soon became established. A post-office named Westwood (renamed Swainby in 1861 and Park Hill in 1863) was opened that year. In 1861 a village plot was laid out by William Kelly. Growth was slow until 1865 when a bonus subscribed by the citizens induced John Harrison to build a steam-powered grist-mill. Other industries, including a brickyard and a foundry, soon followed, and by 1871 Parkhill was a thriving community of about 1500 people, it became an incorporated village on January 1, 1872, and a town fourteen years later.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1872.

Location. 43° 9.754′ N, 81° 41.035′ W. Marker is in Parkhill, Ontario, in Middlesex

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County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (County Road 81) and King Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street (County Road 81). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 County Rd 81, Parkhill ON N0M 2K0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

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 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sir George W. Ross (approx. 11.7 kilometers away); McTaggart Cemetery (approx. 11.8 kilometers away); a different marker also named McTaggart Cemetery (approx. 11.8 kilometers away); Ailsa Craig Main Street (approx. 12.2 kilometers away); Ailsa Craig (approx. 12.2 kilometers away); a different marker also named Ailsa Craig (approx. 12.2 kilometers away); The Founding of Thedford

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

2. The Founding of Parkhill Marker

(approx. 14 kilometers away); East Williams Baptist Church and Cemetery (approx. 15.3 kilometers away).

Main Street, Parkhill in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

3. Main Street, Parkhill in 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.