Wallaceburg, Ontario
| Wallaceburg | |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated community | |
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|
 Wallaceburg
|
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| Coordinates: 42°35′41″N 82°23′03″W / 42.59472°N 82.38417°WCoordinates: 42°35′41″N 82°23′03″W / 42.59472°N 82.38417°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Municipality | Chatham-Kent |
| Government | |
| • City mayor | Randy Hope |
| • Governing body | Chatham-Kent Municipal Council |
| • MPs |
Bev Shipley (CPC) Dave Van Kesteren (CPC) |
| • MPPs |
Rick Nicholls (OPC) Monte McNaughton (OPC) |
| Area | |
| • Land | 8.83 km2 (3.41 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 198 m (650 ft) |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Total | 10,098 |
| • Density | 1,143.9/km2 (2,963/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Forward sortation area | N8A |
| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
| NTS Map | 040J09 |
| GNBC Code | FDATX |
| Website | wallaceburg.ca |
Wallaceburg (2016 population 10,098) is an unincorporated community in the municipality of Chatham-Kent in Southern (Southwestern) Ontario, Canada. Originally a small settlement, it was recognized for its significant contribution to the lumber and boat building industries and strategic location along the banks of the scenic Sydenham River. In more recent years the town was known for its glass making industry. For that reason, Wallaceburg is locally known as the "glass town of Canada."
Wallaceburg is the home of WAMBO (Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing), an annual antique car, boat, bus, and fire truck show that began in 1988.
The town was founded in the early 19th century and named after Scotland's national hero, Sir William Wallace. It was incorporated as a village in 1875 and then as a town in 1896. In 1998, it was amalgamated into the new municipality of Chatham–Kent.
The first settlers to the Wallaceburg area came in 1804. They initially settled along the Snye River at a location they called the Baldoon Settlement. Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk, provided an opportunity for poor farmers and peasants from Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland to come to what is now known as Wallaceburg to build better lives for themselves. He is often considered a great philanthropist for his efforts working with his poor countrymen. Unfortunately, the early Baldoon settlers faced a plethora of difficulties: malaria, harsh winters, marshland, lack of food, and American invaders during the War of 1812. By the 1820s the settlement was deemed a failure by Lord Selkirk and other interested parties. The Baldoon settlers, however, did not give up; many of them contributed to the early success and development of the town of Wallaceburg.
The Baldoon Mystery is one of Ontario's greatest haunting stories, handed down by word of mouth. The strange events of this case are alleged to have occurred between 1829 and 1840, within a few kilometers of Wallaceburg, Ontario.
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