Glen Williams, Ontario

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Glen Williams is a hamlet in the Credit River Valley of the province of Ontario, Canada. It is part of Halton Hills in the Halton Regional Municipality. Flowing through it is the Credit River, giving the name to the area it surrounds. It extends over 1500km from the Niagara Escarpment, emptying into Lake Ontario at Port Credit, Mississauga. Glen Williams is also home to many species of birds, mammals and fish, with the river providing an exemplary habitat for them.

In 1825, Benajah Williams, a United Empire Loyalist of Welsh stock, purchased a 200 acre (0.8 km²) parcel of land in Esquesing township, on the Credit River. There he settled with his third wife and children.

By 1833, he had purchased another 200 acre (0.8 km²) parcel, giving him the 400 acres (1.6 km²) that became Glen Williams. The Williams' Mill is where the first industry stood, a saw mill built by Benajah and sons Joel and Charles in 1825. In the years to come, Benajah's son Charles became the leading figure in the community. Charles owned and operated the sawmill, and eventually he also owned the grist and woolen mills in the small community of Williamsburg, as it was then known. Since then the population has expanded and welcomed a new industry; art. For over 11 years, artists have dwelled in Glen Williams; some are jewellers, sculptors, potters and glassblowers.

In 1878 Joseph Beaumont built the knitting mill which is now the Beaumont Mill Antiques and Collectibles market. Visitors can see the ongoing restoration work of the mill from the inside as they peruse the amazingly diverse market. Socks, blankets and mittens were produced in this mill for over 100 years.

The village bakery and pub are also located in heritage storefronts.

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