Old City in Guelph in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

John McLean 1799-1890

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 1, 2025

1. John McLean 1799-1890 Marker

Inscription. In this house from 1847 to 1857, lived the noted explorer and author, John McLean, who was born in Scotland and joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. In 1838 he became the first white man to cross the Labrador peninsula from Ungava Bay to Hamilton Inlet and in 1839, discovered the Grand Falls of the Hamilton River, one of the worlds greatest cataracts. His book, ‘Notes of a Twenty-five Years Service’ in the Hudson's Bay Territory is an important source of information on the Canadian fur trade.

Erected by Ontario Archeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 43° 32.47′ N, 80° 14.888′ W. Marker is in Guelph, Ontario, in Wellington County. It is in Old City. It is on Nottingham Street 0.1 kilometers west of Gordon Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15b Nottingham Street, Guelph ON N1H 3M6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington 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 walking distance of this marker: Guelph British Methodist Episcopal Church (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); British Episcopal Methodist Church (about 240 meters away); The Home of the First Mayor of Guelph (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Provincial Winter Fair Building (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Guelph City Hall / L'hôtel de ville de Guelph (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Guelph City Hall 1856 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Guelph's Original Town Hall (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Joseph Connolly 1840 - 1904 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guelph.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 1, 2025

2. John McLean 1799-1890 Marker

John McLean ca 1860 image. Click for full size.

circa 1860

3. John McLean ca 1860

Source: Wellington County Archives (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.