Seaforth, Ontario

Seaforth (2001 population: 2300) is a community in the municipality of Huron East, in Huron County, Ontario, Canada.

History

Originally known as "Four Corners" and "Steene's Corners" after an early settler, much of the area of what is now Seaforth was acquired by brothers Christopher and George Sparling in anticipation of the construction of the Buffalo, Brantford and Goderich Railway. Developer James Patton of Barrie purchased the land and laid out a townsite in 1855.

In many ways, Seaforth is the quintessential small Ontario town. The Victorian streetscape stands as a testament to the town's rich history and all the image and influences that make rural Ontario and it's hierarchy of small urban centres so unique.

Seaforth's Main Street is a Provincially Designated Heritage Conservation District & architectural critics consider it to be one of the finest late 19th century streetscapes remaining in the Province. -townofseaforth.ca

The name 'Seaforth' may be derived from the Scottish Seaforth Highlanders regiment or Loch Seaforth in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

A post office was established in Seaforth in 1859. Incorporation as a Village followed in 1868 and as a Town in 1874. In 2001, Seaforth was amalgamated with Brussels, Grey Township, McKillop Township and Tuckersmith Township to form the Municipality of Huron East.

In September 1876, at two o'clock in the morning, a fire broke out in Mrs. Griffith's Candy and Grocery store raging through Main Street destroying 12 acres of the business section. The town rebounded and Main Street was rebuilt with the brick and block structures which we see today, more than a century later.

Seaforth's Main street was designated in 1984 as a heritage Conservation District because of its distinguished late 19th century architecture. This architectural composition of two storey brick buildings is unique in its uniformity of scale and character. Through grants and local support, property owners have been encouraged to restore and preserve the architectural characteristics of their buildings so that this valuable resource may continue to be an asset to the community in the years ahead, and be a comforting reminder of Seaforth's history. -townofseaforth.ca

Industries

* [http://www.boilersmith.com Boilersmith] (Canada's Boiler Maker)
* [http://www.sunnorth.com/ Sun North] (Agricultural Ventilation Systems)
* [http://www.trailcorp.on.ca/ Trailcorp Inc.] (Livestock Trailer Manufacturers)
*Seaforth Creamery

Local media

* [http://www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com/ The Huron Expositor]

Famous people

*Jim Balsillie (born 1961) billionaire philanthropist and co-CEO of BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion
*John Melady Canadian non-fiction author
*Richard Nesbitt (born 1955) current CEO of the Toronto Stock Exchange

From History
*Colonel Anthony Van Egmond (1778 - 1838) first farmer in the Huron Tract, participant in Upper Canada Rebellion
*Howard Hillen Kerr (1900 - 1984) first principal of what was then Ryerson Polytechnical Institute
*Charlie Mason (1912 - 1971) NHL forward
*Cooney Weiland (1904 - 1985) NHL forward

Contemporary Sports Figures
*Boyd Devereaux - Professional NHL Hockey player, Toronto Maple Leafs, brother to Kathy.
* Kathy Devereaux - NWHL player with the Brampton Thunder, sister to Boyd.
* Ian Doig - Professional Golfer, Canadian Professional Golf Tour
* Tyler Doig - Professional Ice hockey player, Columbia Inferno, ECHL
* Scott Driscoll - Professional Ice hockey Linesman, NHL
*Arden Eddie - (born 1947) former Iron Man participant, team owner and manager in the Intercounty Baseball League
*Lloyd Eisler - Former Professional Canadian figure skating star
* Mike Kelly - Professional Ice hockey Play-by-Play Broadcaster, Springfield Falcons, American Hockey League
*Dave McLlwain - Professional Ice hockey player, Kölner Haie "("Cologne Sharks")"
* Scott McNaughton - Media Relations, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, CFL
* Pat Murray - Former Professional NHL Hockey player, brother to Rem.
*Rem Murray - Professional Ice hockey player, HIFK, Finnish SM-liiga, brother to Pat.
* Derek Nesbitt - Professional Ice hockey player, Rockford IceHogs, American Hockey League
* Cal O'Reilly - Professional Ice hockey player, Milwaukee Admirals, American Hockey League
*Mike Watt - Professional Ice hockey player, Muskegon Fury, International Hockey League
*Leah Craig - NCAA player with the University of New Hampshire, sister to Rob.

Local attractions

The Main Street is one of the province's finest examples of commercial architecture from the nineteenth century. Enjoy a walk along the street lined with uniquely homogeneous buildings and you will always know the time from one of the most lavish clocks of its day.

The Van Egmond Reserve

Turn south and a short drive will bring you to the oldest surviving house in what was originally the Huron Tract. Built by the eldest son of Colonel Anthony Van Egmond in 1846, it represents an example of Georgian architecture. The bricks were hand made on the property. Their variance in colour in the exterior walls is an indication that the home was built over an extended period of time, their difference in colour is a result of the varying conditions under which successive loads of bricks were fired during the course of construction.

The house and grounds were saved in the early 1970s from demolition and a housing development by a group of community volunteers. Funds were raised to purchase the property and restore it to how it might have been prior to 1867. It was recognized as an Ontario Heritage property and signs indicative of that direct travelers to the Reserve. The Province of Ontario supported the restoration of the property and will become its owners should the local Van Egmond Foundation discontinue its work to ensure the property is safe and open to the public, in the summer and for special events. The Foundation continues to raise funds and to ensure the property is recognized as a local resource attempting to preserve the history of the early settlement and development of the region. Overlooking the Bayfield River, the grounds are a rural retreat offering a quiet spot for a picnic.

External links

* [http://www.huroneast.com/ Official Huron East Website]
* [http://www.hurontourism.on.ca/ Huron Tourism]
* [http://www.townofseaforth.ca/index.php Seaforth Website]