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

The Founding of Lucan

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

1. The Founding of Lucan Marker

Inscription. Lucan was founded in anticipation of the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway to Sarnia, projected in 1854 and built 1855-59. The first settlers had been members of the Negro Wilberforce Colony in 1830-35. One of this group, Peter Butler Sr., had by 1855 acquired the western part of the site of Lucan. The eastern part was acquired jointly by the Hon. Donald and John MacDonald, and the first village lots were sold in 1855. A steam grist mill, stores and hotels were built, Lucan Post Office was opened on June 1, 1857, and, with the completion of the railway, the settlement prospered. The Lucan Foundry, a large plant specializing in agricultural machinery, was founded in 1861. A county by-law passed in 1871 provided for the incorporation of Lucan as a village.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 43° 11.272′ N, 81° 24.271′ W. Marker is in Lucan, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is on Frank Street

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0.1 kilometers south of Main Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the property of the Donnelly Museum about 50 metres from the entrance on Frank Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 186 Frank St, Lucan ON N0M 2J0, 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: The Ivan Hearn Barn (here, next to this marker); C. Frederick McLean 1875-1942 (here, next to this marker); The “Donnelly” Log Cabin (a few steps from this marker); The Wilberforce Settlement / L’Établissement Wilberforce (a few steps from this marker); Wilberforce Colony (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ailsa Craig (approx. 11.5 kilometers away); a different marker also named Ailsa Craig (approx. 11.5 kilometers away); Ailsa Craig Main Street (approx. 11.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lucan.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

2. The Founding of Lucan Marker

Map of Lucan, 1878 image. Click for full size.

June 2, 2025

3. Map of Lucan, 1878

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

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

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

4. Main Street, Lucan in 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 2, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.