Charles Rankin 1797-1886
Text from the plaque
This pioneer surveyor was the pathfinder who opened much of this region to settlement. Born in Enniskillen, Ireland, Rankin came to Upper Canada with his family at an early age. He was appointed a deputy provincial surveyor in 1820 and at first worked in the southwestern section of the province. In 1833 he began surveying the Nottawasaga Bay area and settled on some 80 ha of land west of the present town of Thornbury. His more important surveys included; several townships in the present county of Grey; the Garafraxa Colonization Road; the town plot of Sydenham (Owen Sound); the Toronto-Owen Sound Road; the Muskoka Road; and the town plot of Southampton.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Grey
The Town of The Blue Mountains
In Thornbury, at a park on the lake on Bay Street East
west of Elgin Street North
N 44 33.707 W 80 26.734
Recorded October 2011. Check current access before visiting.
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