Waterford in Norfolk County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founding of Waterford

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026

1. The Founding of Waterford Marker

Inscription. Settlement of Townsend Township began in 1794 and within six years Paul Averill was operating saw and grist-mills on Nanticoke Creek where it met an established trail. Here grew a community, known successively as Sayles' Mills, Sovereign's Mills, Lodersville, and finally as Waterford when a post-office was opened around 1826. Located in a rich agricultural and lumbering region, Waterford developed as Norfolk County's northern market centre and by 1851 contained the township hall and numerous industries. One major industry was the agricultural implement factory built by James Green, a local merchant. The opening of a Canada Southern Railway station at Waterford in 1871 facilitated its growth and the village was incorporated in 1878 with a population of approximately 1,100.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.

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 1794.

Location. 42° 55.989′ N, 80° 17.417′ W. Marker is in Waterford, Ontario, in Norfolk County. It is on Main Street South (Norfolk County Road 24) 0.1 kilometers south of Sylvia Street, on the right when traveling

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south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 68 Norfolk County Road 24, Waterford ON N0E 1Y0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario 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 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bridge Park (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Shadow Lake (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. half a kilometer away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); The Black Bridge Centennial Festival (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Founding of Simcoe (approx. 10.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterford.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026

2. The Founding of Waterford Marker

Centre of Photo. Facing towards Main Street South

The Village of Waterford in 1878 image. Click for full size.

3. The Village of Waterford in 1878

Internet Archive (public domain)

Downtown Waterford in 2026 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026

4. Downtown Waterford in 2026

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 14, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.