Harriston in Minto in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Old Town Hall, Harriston

1917

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 25, 2026

1. Old Town Hall, Harriston Marker

Inscription. Since the early 1870s, there have been three Town Halls constructed on this site. The first was a wooden structure which was destroyed by fire in 1888. The second, a brick structure built in 1889, was also destroyed by fire in 1916. Newspaper articles recorded the source as "arson by a local Temperance group".

The current facility was designed and constructed in 1917 by resident builder and architect George Gray. On the ground floor, this handsome building featured the Council Chambers, Clerk's Office, Court Room, Police Office with a lock-up cell and a Fire Hall. The second floor still has the stage and a large auditorium with a balcony.

A notable feature was the fine bell from the two previous Town Halls that hung in the tower and could be heard for miles. It was replaced in 1935. The Old Town Hall, still owned by the municipality, has been used for public meetings and as a movie house, and is now home to the Minto Dance Academy and the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild.

Erected 2017 by Harriston Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 43° 54.719′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

80° 52.154′ W. Marker is in Minto, Ontario, in Wellington County. It is in Harriston. It is at the intersection of Elora Street South and Marklane Street East, on the left when traveling south on Elora Street South. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 68 Elora Street S, Minto ON N0G 1Z0, 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 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Harriston Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding of Harriston (within shouting distance of this marker); Harriston Post Office (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Rev. John Smithurst 1807-1867 (approx. 8.2 kilometers away); Heritage Armour Stone

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 25, 2026

2. Old Town Hall, Harriston Marker

On the right of the door

(approx. 8.8 kilometers away); Steam Engine (Old) 81 (Palmerston) (approx. 8.8 kilometers away); In Proud Memory of CN Employees (approx. 8.8 kilometers away); Arthur (Art) William Carr (approx. 8.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minto.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 14, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.