The Founding of Palmerston
Text from the plaque
The opening, in 1871, of a station on the main line of the Wellington, Grey and Bruce Railway, soon to be completed from Guelph to Southampton, provided the nucleus around which a community developed. The station was built on land purchased from Thomas McDowell who in 1854 had become the first settler on the site of Palmerston. In 1872 McDowell, and William Thompson who owned adjoining land, began selling town lots and by 1873 the community had 150 inhabitants. In 1874, a branch line to Listowel was completed and a post office called Palmerston, reportedly after Lord Palmerston, the celebrated English statesman, was opened. The population rapidly increased to some 1400 and by a Provincial Act of December 21, 1874, Palmerston was incorporated as a Town.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Wellington
The Town of Minto
In Palmerston, on the east side of William Street
2 blocks south of Main Street
Also recorded for this place: The County of Wellington
N 43 49.933 W 80 50.932
Recorded June 2004. Check current access before visiting.
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