Listowel, Ontario
| Listowel | |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated community | |
Main Street
|
|
 Listowel
|
|
| Coordinates: 43°43′54″N 80°57′13″W / 43.73167°N 80.95361°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| County | Perth |
| Township | North Perth |
| Settled | 1857 |
| Incorporated (village) | 1867 |
| Incorporated (town) | 1875 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality of North Perth |
| Elevation | 382 m (1,253 ft) |
| Population (2016 Census) | |
| • Total | 7,530 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Area code(s) | 519 |
Listowel is an unincorporated community in Ontario, Canada, located in the municipality of North Perth. It was created in 1998 during the amalgamation of several other communities in the northern section of Perth County, and dissolved with the creation of North Perth. Its population was 7,530 at the Canada 2016 Census in a land area of 6.65 square kilometres; at the time there were 3,159 occupied dwellings.
Settler John Binning arrived in 1852 and was the first to create a permanent residence in the area. Within four years a sawmill and a settlement called Mapleton developed. On June 1, 1856, the name was changed when the post office named Listowel was opened; the population was 200 and a taverns and a general store were already operating. The new name is based on Listowel, Ireland. The majority of early settlers were of Protestant Irish origin. By 1866, the population had increased to 800 and the settlement became an incorporated Village. The first Reeve (1867-72) was D. D. Hay. The arrival of the railway hastened development and it became a Town with a population of 2,054 in 1875 in what is now North Perth in Perth County, Ontario.
On February 28, 1959, the Listowel Memorial Arena collapsed, burying a boys' hockey team playing a scrimmage game – the worst tragedy in the town's history. Seven young players, along with a referee and recreation director (Reginald Kenneth McLeod), were all killed in the tragic collapse.
On March 17, 2011, the local dollar store caught fire and its roof collapsed killing volunteer firefighters Ray Walter (30) and Ken Rea (56). Listowel mourned this tragic loss, closing major streets and posting black ribbons all over town in honour of the fallen firefighters. Paddyfest festivities continued to honour Kinsmen Ray Walter, but in a somber fashion. A community funeral service was held March 24, 2011 at the Listowel Memorial Arena, with a broadcast directly to Elma Community Center. Over 10,000 were expected to visit Listowel that day and Premier Dalton McGuinty joined emergency responders from all across the country to attend the funeral service. A minute of silence was held at the Ontario Legislature earlier in the week and flags were flown at half mast. Firefighters from London, Ontario and Kitchener, Ontario came to help staff the local fire stations so all North Perth firefighters could attend the service. This was the first time a double firefighter fatality in Ontario has happened since 1978. Ken and Ray will be remembered for their braveness and will be honoured in the community of North Perth forever.
...
Wikipedia