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

Ailsa Craig

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

1. Ailsa Craig Marker

Inscription. The founding of this community coincided with the construction of the section of the Grand Trunk Railway line from St. Mary's to Point Edward, begun in 1858 and completed a year later. In 1861 David Craig and W. G. Shipley registered subdivisions and a post office was opened. Adopting the name of a small Scottish island, Ailsa Craig, the settlement flourished as the centre for the fertile surrounding region. In 1870 it had a population of 500 and contained hotels, stores, mills, and several other small industries. By this time Ailsa Craig had become the site of the largest cattle market west of London. By a Provinctal Act of December 21, 1874, the community became an incorporated Village, and the first council met on January 19, 1875.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 21, 1874.

Location. 43° 8.844′ N, 81° 32.119′ W. Marker is in Ailsa Craig, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is at the intersection of Ailsa Craig Main Street and Jameson Street, on the right when traveling west on Ailsa Craig Main Street. The

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marker is in front of the Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 160/a Elginfield Road, Ailsa Craig ON N0M 1A0, 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 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Ailsa Craig (here, next to this marker); Ailsa Craig Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Sir George W. Ross (approx. 4.3 kilometers away); The Wilberforce Settlement / L’Établissement Wilberforce (approx. 11.5 kilometers away); The “Donnelly” Log Cabin (approx. 11.5 kilometers away); The Ivan Hearn Barn (approx. 11.5 kilometers away); C. Frederick McLean 1875-1942 (approx. 11.5 kilometers away); The Founding of Lucan (approx. 11.5 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ailsa Craig.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

2. Ailsa Craig Marker

Map of Ailsa Craig, 1878, showing the Grand Trunk Railway and station image. Click for full size.

3. Map of Ailsa Craig, 1878, showing the Grand Trunk Railway and station

From Belden’s Historical Atlas of Middlesex County (Source: Library of Congress, public domain)

Ailsa Craig Town Hall in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

4. Ailsa Craig Town Hall 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 175 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.