Horning in Shelburne in Dufferin County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Founding of Shelburne
Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 12, 2026
1. The Founding of Shelburne Marker
Inscription.
The Founding of Shelburne. . Settlement of Melancthon Township began in the late 1840's and coincided with the construction of the Toronto-Sydenham Road. By the 1860's settlers had moved into the Shelburne area and in 1865 William Jelly, one of the community's earliest inhabitants, established the British Canadian Hotel, commonly known as Jelly's Tavern. Within a year, the settlement included a post-office named Shelburne, reportedly after the Earl of Shelburne. In 1872 Jelly and his brother John ordered the survey of a village plot in anticipation of the arrival of the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway Rapid economic growth followed and the population increased from 70 in 1869 to 750 in 1877. Two years later Shelburne was incorporated as a Village and, in 1977, it became a Town.
Settlement of Melancthon Township began in the late 1840's and coincided with the construction of the Toronto-Sydenham Road. By the 1860's settlers had moved into the Shelburne area and in 1865 William Jelly, one of the community's earliest inhabitants, established the British Canadian Hotel, commonly known as Jelly's Tavern. Within a year, the settlement included a post-office named Shelburne, reportedly after the Earl of Shelburne. In 1872 Jelly and his brother John ordered the survey of a village plot in anticipation of the arrival of the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway Rapid economic growth followed and the population increased from 70 in 1869 to 750 in 1877. Two years later Shelburne was incorporated as a Village and, in 1977, it became a Town.
Erected 1978 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 1865.
Location. 44° 4.696′ N, 80° 12.201′ W. Marker is in Shelburne, Ontario, in Dufferin County. It is in
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Horning. It is at the intersection of Victoria Street and Main Street East, on the right when traveling north on Victoria Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 Main Street E, Shelburne ON L9V 3K3, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ontario’s York, Durham and Headwaters 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 Ruperts Land.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
