Ailsa Craig, Ontario
| North Middlesex | |
|---|---|
| Municipality (lower-tier) | |
| Municipality of North Middlesex | |
Municipal office of North Middlesex in Parkhill
|
|
 North Middlesex
|
|
| Coordinates: 43°09′N 81°38′W / 43.150°N 81.633°WCoordinates: 43°09′N 81°38′W / 43.150°N 81.633°W | |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Province |
 Ontario
|
| County | Middlesex |
| Formed | January 1, 2001 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Don Shipway |
| • Federal riding | Lambton—Kent—Middlesex |
| • Prov. riding | Lambton—Kent—Middlesex |
| Area | |
| • Land | 597.90 km2 (230.85 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 6,658 |
| • Density | 11.1/km2 (29/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal Code | N0M |
| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
| Website | www.northmiddlesex.on.ca |
North Middlesex is a municipality in Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada.
The restructured municipality of North Middlesex was incorporated on January 1, 2001. This amalgamation joined five municipalities — the townships of East Williams, West Williams and McGillivray, the town of Parkhill and the village of Ailsa Craig — to form one municipal corporation. North Middlesex has a population of 6,658 as of the Canada 2011 Census.
North Middlesex is located in the north of Middlesex County, north of London, Ontario.
Ailsa Craig is a community on the Ausable River, often referred to as simply "Craig" by the local residents. Ailsa Craig is best known for its annual Gala Days event. The town was the home of Earl Ross, the first non-American to win a NASCAR Nextel Cup race, which he did in 1974. Earl was also NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the year in 1974.
The winningest harness horse driver in the world also hails from the Ailsa Craig area. With over 10,000 wins, John Campbell is one of the youngest members to enter the Harness Horseman's Hall of Fame.
Ailsa Craig was named by the Craig family after a namesake island in the outer Firth of Clyde, Scotland, and the word is derived from the Gaelic, Aillse Creag, or Creag Ealasaid, meaning "Elizabeth's rock". In the early 20th century, Ailsa Craig was a thriving village with several hotels, mills and served as the commercial hub for the farm businesses in the area. Located on the Grand Trunk Railway, Ailsa Craig was once the second largest cattle shipping center in all of Canada surpassed only by Calgary, Alberta. As a child, Norman Bethune often spent his summers in the village.
Parkhill owes its beginning to the coming of the railway. In 1859, the Grand Trunk Railway completed a line from St. Mary's to Sarnia. The following year the first Post Office and store were opened at the present site of Parkhill.
...
Wikipedia