Charles Rankin 1797-1886

Photo by Alan L Brown - June 13, 2005

Plaque Location

The County of Grey
The Town of The Blue Mountains
In Thornbury, on the north side of Bay Street East between McCauley Street North and Elgin Street North

Plaque Text

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.

Here's More
Information