Ailsa Craig

Photo by Tony White - July 29, 2007

Plaque Location

The County of Middlesex
The Township of North Middlesex
At the community centre, Highway 7 and Jameson Street, Ailsa Craig

Plaque Text

The founding of this community coincided with the construction of the section of the Grand Trunk Railway line from St. Mary's to Point Edwards, begun in 1858 and completed a year later. In 1861 David Craig and W.G. Shipley registered subdivisions and a post office was opened. Adopting the name of a small Scottish island, Ailsa Craig, the settlement flourished as the centre for the fertile surrounding region. In 1870 it had a population of 500 and contained hotels, stores, mills and several other small industries. By this time Ailsa Craig had become the site of the largest cattle market west of London. By a Provincial Act of December 21, 1874, the community became an incorporated Village, and the first council met on January 19, 1875.