Port Hope in Northumberland County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Founding of Port Hope

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

1. Founding of Port Hope Marker

Inscription. Peter Smith, a fur trader, occupied a house here at “Smith's Creek" by 1788. The first permanent settlers were Loyalists brought to the township in 1793 by a group of associates headed by Jonathan Walton of Schenectady, N.Y. and Elias Smith, formerly of New York City. Walton and Smith were granted land after promising to build mills on the creek. The mills were operating by 1797 when Smith moved here, and in 1800 he laid out a town plot. The community's name "Port Hope" was adopted at a public meeting in 1818, despite local pressure to call it "Toronto". A village with a board of police in 1834, it was incorporated as a town in 1850.

Erected by Archeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1788.

Location. 43° 56.94′ N, 78° 17.578′ W. Marker is in Port Hope, Ontario, in Northumberland County. It is at the intersection of Queen Street and Dorset Street West, on the right when

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traveling south on Queen Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 56 Queen Street, Port Hope ON L1A 3Z9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Kawarthas Northumberland Area

and in Eastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: 77mm German Field Gun (here, next to this marker); Arthur T.H. Williams MP (a few steps from this marker); Cenotaph Plaque (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Hope Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); Rotary Foot Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Ganaraska Watershed (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Farley Mowat (about 120 meters away); The Little Station House (about 180 meters away). Touch for

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

2. Founding of Port Hope Marker

a list and map of all markers in Port Hope.

Walton Street in Port Hope, 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

3. Walton Street in Port Hope, 2025

Port Hope Town Hall in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025

4. Port Hope Town Hall in 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.