Goderich in Huron County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Goderich Harbour

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

1. Goderich Harbour Marker

Inscription. The Goderich Harbour was established by the Canada Company in 1826 to promote the settlement and commercial development of the Huron Tract. The Port of Goderich became the gateway of the Huron Tract. By the 1830's, the Canada Company had built the most serviceable harbour dockage on the Canadian side of Lake Huron. By the mid-nineteenth century, the Port of Goderich thrived by shipping commodities such as fish, lumber, grain and salt. The importance of Goderich as a port facility was duly recognized during the Fenian raids between 1866-1868 when Goderich became the Port of Call for two Royal Naval gunboats sent to protect the port. Today, the harbour is the busiest on the Canadian side of Lake Huron with salt, grain and calcium chloride being the main commodities shipped. The harbour also has an active commercial fishing industry.

This plaque is dedicated, in commemoration of the purchase of the Goderich Harbour, by the citizens of the Town of Goderich, from Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II, on November 10, 1999, under the Federal Ports Divestiture Program. The harbour acquisition, including the beaches, the wharfs,

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the piers and the breakwaters, was made possible through a private-public partnership between the Corporation of the Town of Goderich and Sifto Canada Incorporated. The Goderich Port Management Corporation was founded to operate, manage and maintain the harbour on behalt of the Town.

(Town Council members and other names not transcribed)

Erected 2000.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.

Location. 43° 44.694′ N, 81° 43.562′ W. Marker is in Goderich, Ontario, in Huron County. It is on Harbour Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is on the lefthand side of a walkway accessible from Goderich Main Beach, or through the Rotary Beach Hut, approx. 60 meters from Harbour Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 270 Harbour Street, Goderich ON N7A 4J8, 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

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

2. Goderich Harbour Marker

America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Vicki Keith (here, next to this marker); The Bathing House (here, next to this marker); Goderich Salt Mine (here, next to this marker); Working at the Bathing House (here, next to this marker); The CPR Freight Shed (here, next to this marker); Fish Shanties (a few steps from this marker); Ship Island (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Goderich Harbour (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goderich.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

3. Goderich Harbour Marker

Looking from Roatary Beach Hut, the marker is attached to the stone visible mid-way down the walkway

The original Canada Company plan for Goderich and its harbour, 1829 image. Click for full size.

4. The original Canada Company plan for Goderich and its harbour, 1829

Source: University of Guelph (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.