- Otterville, Ontario
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Location of Otterville in OntarioCoordinates: 42°55′36″N 80°36′12″W / 42.926766°N 80.603342°W
Otterville is a village in rural Ontario, Canada. Encouraged by local Quakers, free blacks and escaped slaves fled persecution in the United States and found homes in the Otterville area beginning in 1829. It is located on the Otter Creek, in Norwich Township with many historic features including Otterville Mill and Dam, Grand Trunk Station, African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery and a park. Otterville African Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery served the local black community until the late 1880s. The cemetery is one of the few preserved black pioneer burial grounds in the province and dates from 1856. [1]
Contents
History
Early black settlement
Otterville was settled in 1807. In the mid-19th century, the area was home to a settlement of freed African American slaves from the United States. In 1982 during the 175th anniversary celebrations of the community, a plaque was placed at the cemetery to commemorate the historical black settlement.[2][3]
Attractions
- The Otterville Mill
Built in 1845 by Edward Bullock, the mill is run by water power supplied by a dam on the river. The South Norwich Historical Society, on a lease basis, maintains this historic site and offers tours on request. A beautiful setting in the center of the village, the mill and its surrounding meadow is the site of an annual barbecue.
- G.T.R. Station Museum and Blacksmith Shop
The South Norwich Historical Society has restored this 1875 station to its condition as a 1881 Grand Trunk Railway station. The waiting room and office are restored authentically, the baggage room is an interpretation room for displays of the area's history. Permanent displays feature railway construction of the 1880s with many artifacts of all periods. The Underground Railroad and early Black settlement of the area is another highlight, as well as the story of early Quaker heritage in the area.
- Otterville Park
Just north of the main corner, and through the stone gates, is 10 acres (40,000 m2) of parklands graced with beautiful tall pines, with a swimming pool, ball diamond, horseshoe pitch, tennis and basketball courts, and children's playground.
Education
Otterville has one school, Otterville Public School, which is operated by the Thames Valley District School Board.[4]
Library
The Otterville Public Library is a branch of the Oxford County Library.[5]
Notable residents
- Felix Douma (scholar, writer, teacher, cellist, and translator) immigrated to Otterville at the age of 12.
- Harold Innis (professor of economics, historian, and writer) was born and raised in Otterville.
- Jana Cote (Stylist and Fashion Expert) Forced to move to Otterville at the age of 17
References
- ^ http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_8648_1.html Ontario Heritage Trust Otterville African Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery
- ^ Historic Otterville. Black History
- ^ ePodunk. Otterville, Ontario
- ^ Ontario Ministry of Education – Otterville Public School
- ^ Otterville Public Library
External links
- Historic Otterville
- Ontario Heritage Trust Otterville African Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery
Categories:- Communities in Oxford County, Ontario
- Western Ontario geography stubs
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