Exeter, Ontario

Exeter
Town
Exeter, Ontario
Top Left: Exeter's town hall constructed in 1887, Right: Exeter's water tower, Bottom Left: An Exeter, Ontario White Squirrel
Motto: "Home of the White Squirrel"
Exeter Exeter, Ontario on a map of Ontario
Coordinates: 43°21′N 81°29′W / 43.350°N 81.483°W / 43.350; -81.483
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
County	Huron County
Area
• Total	5.33 km2 (2.06 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	4,785
• Density	897.4/km2 (2,324/sq mi)
Demonym(s)
Time zone	EST
Postal Code	N0M 1S0
Area code(s)	519, 226
Website	www.southhuron.ca

Exeter is a community in the municipality of South Huron, in the southern portion of Huron County, Ontario, Canada, located approximately 50 kilometres north of London. The community proclaims itself the "Home of the White Squirrel", owing to the presence of the unusually-coloured mammals. Exeter's mascot, "Willis The White Wonder", can be seen at many community events throughout the year, including Canada Day celebrations, the Exeter Rodeo, and the Santa Claus Parade.

Exeter was first founded in the winter of 1832 by the Irish settlers James and Jane Willis accompanied by the explorer Sir Michael Jacques. By 1853, Exeter had grown into a community of over 300 with the help of Isaac Carling bringing immigrants from the Exeter and Devon areas of England.The original Carling homestead, a designated historical landmark still stands on Huron St.W. It was on July 1, 1873, when the villages north and south of the Ausable River (Francistown and Exeter respectively) merged to form the Village of Exeter. Exeter eventually became a town of over 4,700 people. Paintings of some of Exeter's historical citizens, by the late artist Harry Burke, may be seen at the Exeter Legion Hall.

Exeter is located on the north-south Highway 4. At the north end of the community, Highway 4 intersects with County Road 83. This intersection of Highway 4 and County Road 83 is the busiest intersection in Huron County.