Elora in Centre Wellington in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founder of Elora

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 24, 2025

1. The Founder of Elora Marker

Inscription. Captain William Gilkison (1777-1833) was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and emigrated to North America in 1796. He served with the British forces in the War of 1812 as an assistant quartermaster-general, and in 1832 purchased some 14,000 acres of land in Nichol Township. He selected this area at the falls of the Grand River as a town site for his proposed settlement and named it Elora. It was laid out by Lewis Burwell, deputy provincial land surveyor, late in 1832. and the following year Gilkison established a sawmill and a general store. The founder of Elora died in April, 1833, before the full results of his foresight and enterprise were achieved.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.

Location. 43° 41.002′ N, 80° 25.841′ W. Marker is in Centre Wellington, Ontario, in Wellington County. It is in Elora. It is at the intersection of Geddes Street and Colborne

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Street, on the right when traveling south on Geddes Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Macdonald Square, Centre Wellington ON N0B 1S0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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: The Village Centre (here, next to this marker); Elora Cenotaph (a few steps from this marker); The Village Drinking Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Upper Geddes Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Liquor Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Upper Metcalfe Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower Geddes Street (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Charles Clarke 1826-1909 (about

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 24, 2025

2. The Founder of Elora Marker

Facing northwest

150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Centre Wellington.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 38 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.