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

Thomas Mercer Jones, 1795-1868

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

1. Thomas Mercer Jones, 1795-1868 Marker

Inscription. A powerful Canada Company land magnate, Jones was born in England and acquired business training there. By virtue of his London connections he obtained an appointment as a Company Commissioner and moved to York (Toronto) in 1829. He administered a large portion of this Company's lands, the one million acre Huron Tract, and by 1839 wielded unrivaled authority in the area. At the height of his influence he moved his headquarters to a newly constructed, lavishly furnished Goderich mansion, later known as Park House. A controversial figure, he was dismissed in 1852 for exceeding his authority. He remained in Goderich as the Bank of Montreal agent until 1857 when he moved to Toronto where he died.

Erected 1977 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 1829.

Location. 43° 44.6′ N, 81° 43.17′ W. Marker is in Goderich, Ontario, in Huron County. It is on Harbour Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is

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in Lions Harbour Park, accesible by foot apron. 50 metres from the park entrance on Harbour Street or the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 173 Harbour Street, Goderich ON N7A 2L1, 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: Canada Company Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Tiger Dunlop’s Castle (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of Goderich / La Fondation de Goderich (within shouting distance of this marker); The Original Lighthouse (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Salt Brine Plants (about 180 meters away); The Great Storm of 1913 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Canadian Pacific Railway Station

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

2. Thomas Mercer Jones, 1795-1868 Marker

(approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Menesetung Mineral Springs (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goderich.

Also see . . . The Canada Company (Wikipedia).

The Canada Company was a private British land development company that was established to aid in the colonization of a large part of Upper Canada. It was incorporated by royal charter on August 19, 1826, under the Canada Company Act 1825 (6 Geo. 4. c. 75) of the British parliament, which was given royal assent on June 27, 1825. It was originally formed to acquire and develop Upper Canada's undeveloped clergy reserves and Crown reserves, which the company bought in 1827 for £341,000 ($693,000) from the Province of Upper Canada.

(Submitted on July 29, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Entrance to Harbour Park from Harbour Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 15, 2026

3. Entrance to Harbour Park from Harbour Street

Thomas Mercer Jones, 1843 image. Click for full size.

4. Thomas Mercer Jones, 1843

Library and Archives Canada (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 29, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.