Hanover, Ontario

Hanover is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in southern Grey County, west of Durham and east of Walkerton on Grey/Bruce Road 4. Hanover marks the border between Grey County and Bruce County.

Early History

The first settler in Hanover was Abraham Buck, who in 1849, turned west from the Garafraxa road at Durham with his travelling companion Mr. Jasper. After travelling approximately 11 miles, they came across the Saugeen River. Apparently claiming, "It is good for us to be here," Buck staked his land claim near a jam of logs and debris which provided a risky bridge for travellers and which became known as Buck's Crossing.

The next settler, Christian Hassenjager, arrived a few weeks later. He built his home just south of the current Community Centre. His daughter Hannah was the first white child to be born in the area.

There is currently a population of 7,147 residents.

Local Schools

The first school was privately operated in the home of the teacher, Mrs. Campbell, on the eastern outskirts of the town (Campbell's Corner). When it became overcrowded, classes were held in the Orange Hall.

A new school was opened in 1875, just north of main street. This structure accommodated both elementary students and those studying the first and second years of secondary. Additions were added to the structure in 1884, 1891,1895, and 1905.

Finally, in 1912, a new six room school was built on what is the current site of Hanover Heights Community School. James A. Magee, who had become principal of the previous school in 1905, remained prinicpal for 46 years.

The high school was built in 1924, in the south-west corner of the town, on a site known as Bartrap's Field.

Currently, there are three elementary schools:
#Dawnview Public School,
#Hanover Heights Community school, and
#Holy Family Catholic School.

There is one secondary school, John Diefenbaker Secondary School, which has about 800 students drawn from Hanover and neighbouring towns and villages..

Hanover has its own community radio station, CFBW-FM 91.3 FM Bluewater Radio.

Major Corporations

There are many factories and farms, which are the two major employers of the residents

West Bros. Furniture Manufacturing

West Bros. Furniture is now Hanover’s only furniture manufacturer and a major player in the solid wood furniture market supplying bedroom, dining room, occasional & accent furniture throughout North America, and to External Affairs Canada to furnish the Canadian Embassy residences worldwide. Meticulous craftsmanship and practical design have always been synonymous with fine Canadian furniture. Beginning in 1992 the West Brothers, a family of Ontario furniture manufacturers created a new company located in Hanover, Ontario that endeavored to ‘raise the bar’ by providing retailers the highest degree of design and craftsmanship while offering a strong competitive edge against furniture imported from other areas of the world.

[http://www.westbrosfurniture.com]

Dickies Canada Co.

Dickies Canada Co., formerly Buckeye Industries, originated in 1920 as Peerless Textiles of Toronto. The Company expanded its manufacturing base in 1956 by purchasing the existing factory in Hanover. Dickies Canada is firmly established in the work wear industry with traditional matched sets of work shirts and work pants. In addition, the production lines now include jeans and casual wear. Dickies Canada Co. also merchandises a complete outer wear line. Brand names include - Dickies, Kodiak and Harbour One. A factory outlet has been opened in Hanover. All manufacturing has been consolidated to Hanover. The Distribution Center/Head Office is located in Toronto. Dickies Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Williamson Dickie Manufacturing Co. of Fort Worth, Texas. Dickies Canada employs 140 local people.

Electrical Contacts Ltd.

Founded in 1970, Electrical Contacts Ltd. is one of North America's premiere contact material manufacturers servicing the needs of automobile, appliance and distribution industries. They currently export 80% of their shipments to markets in North America and Asia.

Hanover-Hearth Cabinets

Hanover-Hearth Cabinets (formerly Hanover Kitchens Inc.) was officially founded on June 18, 1952 on the same site of the existing two adjacent factories in Hanover. Beginning with only one door style, the company has grown to a modern manufacturing facility, now offering well over 2,000 possible combinations of styles, woods, finishes and materials available in all of the latest fashionable colours and designs. All products are manufactured in the Hanover factories and are sold in Canada, the United States and Japan. Long considered the premier kitchen cabinet company in Canada, Hanover-Hearth Cabinets has been able to maintain its reputation and success by offering real, true quality cabinets and cabinetry at competitive prices.

Hanover-Hearth Cabinets closed their doors December 21, 2006.

Hanover Racetrack Slots

Ontario's twelfth slots-at-racetrack operation at Hanover Raceway, opened on February 19, 2001. Since opening, the facility has averaged more than 860 patrons daily. Slots at Hanover Raceway is located at 265 5th Street. The facility is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. There is no smoking on the gaming floor. Slots at Hanover Raceway is operated and managed by Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC). Ontario's slots-at-racetrack program ensures the continued viability of the horse racing industry through improved facilities, increased purses, which lead to more horses of better quality, improved racing and more employment throughout the supporting industries. Approximately 70 permanent employees work at Slots at Hanover Raceway. The Town of Hanover receives 5% of the facility's gross slot machine revenue. The funds are used at the discretion of the Municipality. Revenue from Ontario's slots at racetrack facilities as well as charity casinos and lotteries guarantees $100 million annually for the Province's charities. This money is distributed to charities through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Horizon Poultry

Horizon Poultry, a successful poultry industry leader, has been located in Hanover since 1969. They employ approximately 750 people at their four locations, Hanover, St. Marys, Ayr and Kitchener. Hanover is the home of their hatchery and breeder farms. A division of J. M. Schneider Inc. and a division of Maple Leaf Foods, their products are distributed throughout Canada and also exported to many countries under the J. M. Schneider label. Regular capital injections keep this modern facility up to date. Horizon attributes their success to the commitment of their employees to produce superior quality products.

Leeson Canada

Founded in 1978 to provide the Canadian marketplace with quality AC and DC electric motors LEESON Canada has since grown to become one of this country's major sources for an array of related power transmission components. LEESON Canada operates its own specialized manufacturing plant in Hanover where they produce unusual multi-speed and high-efficiency motors through 350 HP for customers throughout North America.

New-Life Mills Limited

New-Life Mills Limited is a highly sophisticated and automated flour mill. The original mill in Hanover, constructed over a century ago, had a capacity to stone grind 10 metric tonnes of wheat per day. The present day mill, with its two milling units, grinds over 500 metric tonnes of wheat daily. Some of the wheat stocks are grown locally and the balance comes from western Canada. Flour from the Hanover mill is shipped to bakers, consumers and makers of cake mixes, pasta and other fast and convenience goods. Products are shipped through the provinces of Ontario and Quebec and various countries around the world. Owned by Parrish & Heimbecker.

P & H Foods

P & H Foods, a division of Parrish & Heimbecker, operates a turkey processing and further processing plant. This facility has been located in Hanover since 1934 and has operated as a turkey processing plant since 1965. P & H Foods employ 280 plus hourly people and a staff of 25 plus salaried management people. The Hanover Plant processes about 40 million pounds annually and daily volumes embrace about 16,000 turkeys. "Butterball" turkey products are produced at this facility, as well as raw product being supplied to the further processing industry. P & H Foods exports frozen whole and part turkeys world-wide. P & H Foods has invested $8,000,000 within the last seven years in new buildings and equipment because they have continued faith in the Town of Hanover and surrounding district to be able to supply raw materials and labour. Plans for further improvements and expansion are on-going. P & H enjoys a good working relationship with the municipal government which is always interested in P & H's concerns.

Telesat Canada

The world’s most experienced satellite operator, Telesat has established itself as a world leader, with over 30 years of experience and a lengthy list of accomplishments that have won international acclaim for Canada. Telesat’s satellites have long played a critical role in bridging Canada’s vast distances. Telesat ushered in the age of satellite communications with the launch of Anik A1 in 1972 – becoming the first company in the world to place a domestic geostationary communications satellite into commercial service. Since then, Telesat has successfully launched 11 more Anik satellites, as well as Nimiq, a new satellite that brings direct-to-home satellite television to Canadians from coast to coast. Telesat also provides voice and data transmission services that enable telephone companies - such as Bell Canada and NorthwesTel – to extend their services to remote areas of Canada. Telesat operates the largest of its 4,000 earth stations at Allan Park, the nerve centre of its satellite communications network. Located just outside of Hanover, this facility employs over 50 highly skilled and dedicated staff to provide technical support for its satellites and networks.

Points of Interest

Theatres

The Paramount Theatre, located downtown, provides year-round entertainment with the latest in movie releases. The Hanover Drive-In Theatre is located at the southeast edge of Hanover and offers summer entertainment for the entire family. Also the Hanover Drive in Theatre is one of only 20 remaining drive-in theatres in Ontario.

Hanover Public Library

Located in the renovated Civic Centre complex in the centre of town, the library has something for everyone, from books to computers. The collection includes a large number of books, videocassettes and DVDs, audio cassettes, magazines and newspapers. Audiovisual equipment is available for rent and internet connected computers are available for use by patrons. Library services include quick and in-depth reference; a local history collection including back issues of The Hanover Post (now published as The Post) and censuses of Grey and Bruce counties on microfilm; pre-school programs; a shut-in material delivery service; French language books; large print and talking books. The library actively participates in the [http://www.sols.org Southern Ontario Library Service] giving patrons access to a large selection of audiovisual materials and books through interlibrary loans.

Hanover Town Park

Hanover Town Park and Campground is located on the banks of the Saugeen River and offers 40 fully-serviced campsites. Very popular with town residents, the Hanover Park offers large picnic areas, fishing, a wide variety of playground equipment for children of all ages, and a covered picnic pavilion with kitchen facilities. Many community special events are held in the park providing entertainment and lots of fun for residents and visitors alike. Several smaller parks, playgrounds and baseball diamonds are located throughout the town.

Residents of note

*Ryan Bester, a world champion lawn bowler. A street sign named after him called "Ryan Bester Way" is on the same street as the Hanover Lawn Bowling Club on 6th Street.
*Tommy Burns, one time heavyweight world champion boxer.
*Jamie Warren, Canadian country music singer.
*Brooke Maskell, Canadian National bodybuilding champion

External links

* [http://www.hanovercanada.com/ Town of Hanover website]
* [http://www.bluewaterradio.ca/ CFBW 91.3 FM Bluewater Radio's website]
* [http://www.hanoverchildrenshouse.ca/ Hanover's Internationally Recognized Montessori Daycare Program website]
* [http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/English/exhibits/maps/counties/greybig.htm Map of Grey County, circa 1951]

References

* Davidson, T. Arthur. "A New History of the County of Grey", 1972, Richardson, Bond and Wright, Owen Sound.