Wellesley, Ontario (community)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wellesley is a community in the Township of Wellesley, Ontario, Canada with a population of about 1,600. The township was the last in the region to be settled as it resided in a mainly unopened territory known as the "Queen's Bush" which is a name one of the main streets now bears.
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[edit] History
The site was first settled around 1837 mostly by Pennsylvanian Mennonites seeking free and cheap land in Canada where they could abstain from wars that were arising with the United States. The town's original name was Schmidtsville, derived from its founding settler, John Schmidt. But In 1851, the town was renamed Wellesley after Richard Wellesley, the eldest brother of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. The community quickly grew to be the largest economic centre in rural Waterloo Region, then called Waterloo County, with a wood mill, feed mill, grain mill (which still stands after being constructed in 1856), leather tanner, cheese factory, restaurants and housing, and many other businesses that also brought much trade to the town from the nearby farms and farming villages.
[edit] Economy
Most of the earlier companies have left, but many historic buildings still remain that enrich the heritage of the downtown area. A notable business that had its beginning in Wellesley is Erb Transport, which moved to the nearby town of New Hamburg. Presently, the largest businesses in town are Wellesley Apple Products (founded in 1922), two hardware and lumber retailers, two feed retailers, a gas station, a bank, an arena, a community centre, a grocery store, a drug store, an inn, a furniture store, a funeral home, retirement residencies, three auto body shops, an insurance brokerage, a veteranarian clinic, a bakery, a flower shop, a movie store, a pizza shop, a chiropractor, a catering business, a restaurant, a butcher shop, an art gallery, and numerous hair dressers.
[edit] Festivities
In celebration of some of the town's most well-known exports, the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival was first held in 1975, and has been held annually on the last Saturday in September ever since. The festivities include many street market venues, coach rides, remote-controlled boat races, open heritage sites and amusements, horeshoe-pitching contests, guided farm tours, live music, meals that can be purchased on the main street, and a classic car show, all of which now attract thousands of visitors each year.
On Staurday, June 24th, 2006, the town held its first annual Art Around the Pond gala where artisans of all kind were able to exhibit and advertise their creations and expertise. Stalls and tables are organized around the north and south sides of the Wellesley Pond while visitors can navigate the trail on the east side to access both ends. Speeches by local governors are given and live music is played on the central island.
The Wellesley Fishing Derby is an annual event, held on Labour Day Monday, also located on the pond in which fishers attempt to catch three tagged fish which cash prizes are awarded for.
On occasion, the Canadian Horseshoe Pitching Championships are held in Wellesley at the Kitchener-Waterloo Khaki Club. They've been in town the years of 1983, 1985, 1995, and 2001.
The community hosts an inter-township soap box derby, Wellesley Soap Box Classic that includes numerous teams and individual contestants who race their vehicles down the hill of Nafziger Rd., just short of the downtown area.
The Wellesley Fall Fair is held once every year on the first consecutive, non-holiday Monday and Tuesday of September. There is a parade at around noon on the Tuesday that the local public school participates in and there are also rides and activities located on the community centre grounds.
Wellesley has also held the Wellesley Santa Clause Parade early in December since 2005 which includes floats created by many local businesses, churches and other organizations from around the area mainly driving down Queen's Bush Road, Nafziger Road, Maple Leaf Street, and Molesworth Street.
[edit] Sports
Wellesley is home to the Wellesley Applejacks, a junior hockey team that plays in the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
[edit] Life
The country scenery and rolling hills, along with its small town feel, have gradually transformed Wellesley into a growing commuter town with a population of roughly 1,600 people mostly living in suburban developments, and that travel into the nearby cities of Kitchener and Waterloo for their occupations regularly.
[edit] Government
The community is most closely effected by the township council which is comprised of four councillors and a mayor. The following is a chart depicting the governors whos electorate encompass Wellesley.
| Position | Incumbent | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Member of Parliament | Harold Albrecht | Conservative |
| Member of Provincial Parliament | Ted Arnott | Progressive Conservative |
| Regional Chair | Ken Seiling | NA |
| Township Mayor | Ross Kelterborn | NA |
| Ward Councillor | James Olander | NA |
