Georgetown in Halton Hills in Halton Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Founding of Georgetown
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Fondation de Georgetown
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 5, 2025
1. Founding of Georgetown Marker
After British officials acquired a block of land from the Mississaugas in 1818, the initial survey of Esquesing Township was undertaken in 1819. A township surveyor, Charles Kennedy, and several of his brothers settled lands located in the Silver Creek Valley. George Kennedy dammed the stream running through his property to establish a sawmill and later a gristmill. This provided the nucleus of a small settlement, known as "Hungry Hollow." The York to Guelph Road (now Highway 7) opened in 1828, connecting the settlement to the broader economic development of the province. Around 1837, the hamlet became known as Georgetown. In 1856, the Grand Trunk Railway opened its line from Toronto to Sarnia through the community, providing new opportunities for growth. Georgetown was incorporated as a village in 1865 and as a town in 1922. In 1974, Georgetown and much of Esquesing Township amalgamated with Acton and other communities to form the Town of Halton Hills.
En 1818, des officiers de l'armée britannique font l'acquisition d'un lot de terrain auprès des Mississauga, et en 1819 commence l'arpentage initial du canton d'Esquesing. Un arpenteur du canton, Charles Kennedy, achète avec plusieurs de ses frères des terrains situés au sein de la vallée de Silver Creek. George Kennedy endigue le ruisseau qui traverse sa propriété pour y construire une scierie, puis un moulin à blé. L'ensemble constitue le cœur d'un petit établissement connu sous le nom de « Hungry Hollow ». La route reliant York à Guelph (l'actuelle route 7) est ouverte à la circulation en 1828, et l'établissement rejoint alors le tissu économique de la province. Vers 1837, le hameau prend le nom de Georgetown. En 1856, la Compagnie des chemins de fer nationaux du Canada y fait passer le tronçon ferroviaire reliant Toronto à Sarnia, offrant ainsi d'autres possibilités de croissance à la collectivité. Georgetown est constitué en village en 1865, et en ville en 1922. En 1974, Georgetown et une vaste partie du canton d'Esquesing fusionnent avec Acton et d'autres collectivités pour former la ville de Halton Hills.
Erected by Ontario
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1818.
Location. 43° 38.892′ N, 79° 55.562′ W. Marker is in Halton Hills, Ontario, in Halton Region. It is in Georgetown. It is at the intersection of Church Street and Market Street, on the right when traveling east on Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16 Church St, Halton Hills ON L7G L7G, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto, specifically on the Golden Horseshoe, in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area, and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area. 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 walking distance
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 5, 2025
2. Founding of Georgetown / Fondation de Georgetown Marker
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 5, 2025
3. Founding of Georgetown / Fondation de Georgetown Marker
4. Georgetown in 1858
Burlington Public Library (public domain)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 5, 2025
5. Main Street in Georgetown, 2025
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
