Goderich, Ontario
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Town of Goderich | |
| Nickname: "Godrock, G-dot" | |
 |
|
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Province | Ontario |
| County | Huron County |
| Founded | 1827 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Deb Shewfelt |
| - Deputy Mayor | John Grace |
| Area | |
| - Town | 7.91 km² (3.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2001)[1] | |
| - Town | 7,604 |
| - Density | 961.31/km² (2,489.8/sq mi) |
| Website: http://www.goderich.ca/ | |
Goderich (pronounced either God-rich or God-er-ich) is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario and is the county seat of Huron County. The town was founded by William "Tiger" Dunlop in 1827. First laid out in 1828, the town is named after Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, who was British prime minister at the time. The town was officially incorporated in 1850.
As of 2001, the population is 7,604 (% change since 1996: 0.7). The area of the town is 7.91 square kilometres.
Located on the east shore of Lake Huron, Goderich is one of the few places in Ontario where the sun sets over water. During a visit to Canada, Queen Elizabeth II commented that Goderich was 'The Prettiest Town in Canada'. As a result, tourism has become an important industry.
The town participates in the Communities in Bloom competition; in 2004, Goderich won the provincial competition in the 5000-10000 category.
People from Goderich are called Goderichians.
Contents |
[edit] "The Square"
Goderich's downtown has a unique octagonal traffic circle known as 'The Square'. The county courthouse stands in the middle of The Square. This is where, in 1959, Steven Truscott was first tried for murder.
Contrary to a popularly held belief, plans for The Square were not intended for Guelph. It is thought this rumour started when Guelph was founded, as town planners the Canada Company originally wanted their community to be called Goderich, eventually resigning to Company Superintendent John Galt's wish to name it Guelph[2].
[edit] Industry
Sifto Canada, Inc operates a salt mine underneath Goderich's harbour. The mine extends 5 kilometers under Lake Huron, and is the largest salt mine in the world.
Volvo operates a road grader manufacturing plant in Goderich.
[edit] Ports
Goderich Airport (known unofficially as Sky Harbour Airport) is a community airport with three runways: two are paved, with runway lighting, and one is grass. It is located directly north of the town, and is accessible via the Bluewater Highway (which originates in the town as Victoria Street). During WWII, The airport was the site of an Elementary Flying Training School as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Goderich Harbour is owned by the town, but is operated under contract by Goderich Port Management Corporation. It is an industrial harbour, used primarily to load salt from the Sifto salt mines onto lake and ocean freighters.
Snug Harbour is a marina located within the industrial harbour basin; Maitland Valley Marina is also located near Goderich.
[edit] Attractions
The Huron Historic Gaol is a National Historic Site. It served as the Huron County Jail from its opening in 1842 until 1972. It is open to the public between April and October. This is the site of the last public hanging in Canada. James Donnelly Sr. of the Black Donnellys also spent time here before his trial. As well, Steven Truscott was held here for some time.
The Huron County Museum is a community museum which offers modern exhibition galleries. Permanent exhibits depict the early settlement and development of Huron County. The museum also collects and maintains the Huron County Archives.
The Marine Museum, which is open in July and August, is dedicated to the lifestyle and culture of those who made a living on Lake Huron, highlighting The Great Storm of 1913. Admission to this museum is included in the entry fee for the Huron County Museum.
A unique characteristic of Goderich is that it is said that the sun sets twice every day in Goderich. If one goes down to the beach and watches the sun set, then quickly makes their way to the bluffs overlooking the beach, one can see the sun set once more.
[edit] Sports Teams
Besides school teams, during the winter season, hockey is prevalent in most Canadian small towns, Goderich is no exception. The town supports both the Sr. A Pirates and the Jr. C Sailors, much of the talent on both teams being of local origin.
During the Summer, there is organized baseball and soccer, as well as flag football leagues.
[edit] Schools
Goderich is home to three elementary schools and one high school. Robertson Memorial, Victoria Public, and St. Mary's Catholic separate school are the in town elementary schools, with many more elementary schools serving the rural areas outside of town. Goderich District Collegiate Institute (G.D.C.I), the local high school, was founded in 1841. G.D.C.I is the third oldest high school in Canada that is still operating. The Huron County Museum now uses the original schoolhouse as part of the museum.
[edit] Sister City
[edit] External links
