Halton County, Ontario

Halton County (area convert|228181|acre|km2|0) is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is also one of the oldest counties in Canada.

It is named after Major William Mathew Halton who was appointed in 1805 as Secretary to the Upper Canada provincial Lieutenant-Governor Sir Francis Gore.

Settlers started to arrive in the area in the early 1780s. The south part was first settled by United Empire Loyalists, the northern part was settled mainly by immigrants from the British Isles. As of July 24, 1788 the area was part of the Nassau District [http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/textdocs/districts1792big.htm] . The Provincial Act of 1792 renamed the Nassau District to Home District [http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/districts.htm] .

Along with Wentworth County, Halton County was created in 1816 as part of the Gore District. It consisted of the townships of Beverly, Blanford, Blenheim, Dumfries, Flamborough, Nelson, Nichol, Trafalgar, Waterloo and Woolwich. Over the years most of the townships were removed to other counties leaving only four: Esquesing (added in 1821), Nassagaweya (1821), Nelson and Trafalgar.

For a brief period between 1850 and 1854, Wentworth County and Halton County were joined for government purposes as the United Counties of Wentworth and Halton, although for administrative purposes they remained distinct. In 1973 [http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/regmunic.htm] , Halton County was replaced by Halton Regional Municipality [http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/counties/halton.htm] .

Historic townships

* Esquesing Township (area convert|66700|acre|km2|0). Opened in 1819, the first town meeting was held in 1821 when the population was 424. The name Esquesing is from a First Nations word meaning "that which lies at the end." Community centres were: Georgetown, Acton, Glen Williams, Stewarttown, Norval, Limehouse.
* Nassagaweya Township (area convert|44797|acre|km2|0). Opened in 1819, its name was derived from a Mississauga word meaning "a river with two outlets". Community centres were: Campbellville, Darbyville and Eden Mills.
* Nelson Township (area convert|46236|acre|km2|0) Opened in 1806 and named in honour of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson. Community centre: Burlington.
* Trafalgar Township (area convert|67055|acre|km2|0), opened in 1806, the year of the Battle of Trafalgar. The township was settled in 1807. Community centres were Milton, Oakville, Bronte.

ee also

* List of Ontario census divisions

References

*"Halton Sketches Revisited: Historical Tales of People and Events in North Halton" [http://www.bostonmillspress.com/subjects.cfm?view=DETAILS&prod_id=287&subject_id=33] by John McDonald; ISBN 1-55046-375-6

Source: "Province of Ontario -- A History 1615 to 1927" by Jesse Edgar Middleton & Fred Landon, copyright 1927, Dominion Publishing Company, Toronto

External links

* [http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/counties/halton.htm 1951 map of Halton County]