Teeswater in Bruce County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founding of Teeswater

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025

1. The Founding of Teeswater Marker

Inscription. By 1855 the first permanent settlers on the site of Teeswater, the families of Matthew Hadwen and Peter Brown, had located here on the Teeswater River. In that year Brown erected a sawmill and later added a grist-mill. In 1856 a post otfice was established with Hadwen as first postmaster. Although the settlement's early growth was slow, a tannery, a foundry, two taverns and a pearl-ash factory were in operation by 1867 when the population numbered some 400. The development of the community was spurred by the completion of a branch line of the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway in 1874 from a point near Orangeville. Teeswater was incorporated as a Village on January 1, 1875, with a population of about 700.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

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 year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 43° 59.944′ N, 81° 17.208′ W. Marker is in Teeswater, Ontario, in Bruce County. It

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is at the intersection of Clinton Street South and Union Street East, on the right when traveling north on Clinton Street South. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Clinton St S, Teeswater ON N0G 2S0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgian Bay Country

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: Teeswater Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); Olympian Jennie Fletcher (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Greenock (approx. 11.6 kilometers away); W. T. (Doc) Cruickshank (approx. 12.4 kilometers away); “A Glimpse of the Past” (approx. 12.6 kilometers away); George Agnew Reid (approx. 12.6 kilometers away); The Founding of Wingham (approx. 12.6 kilometers away);

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 4, 2025

2. The Founding of Teeswater Marker

Alice Munro (approx. 12.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Teeswater.

The Village of Teeswater in 1880 image. Click for full size.

3. The Village of Teeswater in 1880

Source: McGill University

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.