Bells Corners, Ontario
| Bells Corners | |
|---|---|
| Community | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: 45°19′20″N 75°50′00″W / 45.32222°N 75.83333°W | |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Province |
 Ontario
|
| Municipality | Ottawa |
| Bell's Corners | 6 August 1851 |
| Nepean Township | 1792 (Incorporated 1850) |
| Amalgamated | 2001 (City of Ottawa) |
| Named for | Hugh Bell |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jim Watson |
| • MP | Chandra Arya |
| • MPP | Lisa MacLeod |
| • City Councillor | Rick Chiarelli |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.67 km2 (1.80 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 90 m (295 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 9,468 |
| • Density | 2,047/km2 (5,300/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal code span | K2H |
| Area code(s) | 613, 343 |
Bells Corners is a suburban community in College Ward in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the former city of Nepean within Ottawa's western Greenbelt. As of the Canada 2011 Census, the community had a population of 9,468.
The community owes its existence to its location on the Richmond Road midway between Richmond Landing near Bytown (now Ottawa) and the military settlement at Richmond, at the junction with the concession road leading west to the Hazeldean neighbourhood in neighbouring Goulbourn Township. It was also the junction between Richmond Road and the "base line" which was the boundary road between concessions on the Ottawa front and those on the Rideau front. Hence, the plural "Corners". It was named after Hugh Bell, who owned a tavern on the site of the present day Bells Corners Public School from 1834 to 1863.
Prior to that it was known locally as just "the Corners", but when the first post office opened on 6 August 1851 it had to adopt a formal name and became Bell's Corners. Today it is most commonly spelled without the apostrophe.
In 1832, there were 9 taverns along this strip of road. Early stores catered to both local people and travelers.
In 1841 the Carleton County Agricultural Society was formed and held its annual exhibition in Bells Corners until 1895, when it was moved to Goodwood Park in the Town of Richmond and later became the Richmond Fair.
In 1850, Bells Corners became part of Nepean Township, Carleton County. The Town meeting to elect the first Council under the new system was held at Bells Corners on 7 January 1850. Frederick Bearman, J.P., Chester Chapman, James Spain, John Robertson, J.P., Michael Grady were elected as Councillors. The first Council meeting was also held in Bells Corners on 21 January 1850, when Colonel Frederick Bearman was chosen Reeve. By 1852, there were 3 taverns, 3 shoe shops, 2 blacksmiths, 2 carpentry shops, a new store, and a tailor.
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Wikipedia