| Ingersoll | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
| Nickname(s): Festival Town | |
| Motto: Prosperity Through Progress[1] | |
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Ingersoll
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| County | Oxford |
| Established[1] | 1852 (village) |
| 1861 (town) | |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ted Comiskey |
| • Federal riding | Oxford |
| • Prov. riding | Oxford |
| Area[2] | |
| • Land | 12.90 km2 (5 sq mi) |
| Elevation[3] | 280 m (919 ft) |
| Population (2006)[2] | |
| • Total | 11,760 |
| • Density | 911.9/km2 (2,361.8/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal code span | N5C |
| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
| Website | www.ingersoll.ca |
Ingersoll is a town in Oxford County on the Thames River in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The nearest cities are Woodstock to the east and London to the west.
Ingersoll is situated north of and near Highway 401. Oxford County Road 119 (formerly Ontario Highway 19) serves the town. The local high school is Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute.
The area was well known for cheese production, and was home to the first such factory in Canada from approximately 1840. In 1866, a giant block of cheese weighing 7,300 pounds (3,311 kg) was produced at the James Harris Cheese Factory for promotion of the town's cheese industry. The "Big Cheese" was exhibited in England and in the United States at the New York State Fair in Saratoga.[1]
Heavy manufacturing is currently Ingersoll's largest industry, including manufacturers such as CAMI Automotive, a General Motors car manufacturing plant that was originally a joint venture with Suzuki Motors of Canada.
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The area was first settled by Thomas Ingersoll (Laura Secord's father) who in 1793 obtained a land grant of 66,000 acres (27,000 ha) from Governor John Graves Simcoe. The town was originally founded as Oxford-on-the-Thames but renamed to Ingersoll in Thomas' honour by his son Charles. In 1852, the place was incorporated as the "Village of Ingersoll". Nine years later in 1861, it changed status to town.[1]
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| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 1841 | 400 |
| 1871 | 4,022 |
| 1881 | 4,318 |
| 1891 | 4,191 |
| 1901 | 4,573 |
| 1911 | 4,763 |
| 1921 | 5,150 |
| 1931 | 5,233 |
| 1941 | 5,757 |
| 1951 | 6,524 |
| 1961 | 6,874 |
| 1971 | 7,783 |
| 1981 | 8,494 |
| 1991 | 9,378 |
| 2001 | 10,977 |
| 2006 | 11,760 |
Ingersoll is the host to a number of annual festivals, including the Ribfest, Harvest Festival, Canterbury Folk Festival and the Winter Lights Festival.
June Ribfest: With every restaurant in the town participating, the main street gets blocked off so the whole town can walk around, enjoy some ribs and socialize at this annual event. Each year, one restaurant gets the honour of being titled with having the best ribs in town!
July Canterbury Folk Festival: "To promote an annual folk festival of music, dance, arts and crafts for the enjoyment of all people of the Town of Ingersoll, Ontario and surrounding area, while providing opportunities for families, young people and senior citizens from all walks of life to enjoy, participate in and gain from festival activities, at no cost to themselves..." [6] This event brings the community together in the park with local artisans, music, dance, and lots of people! With activities for the whole family, everyone is bound to have a good time. http://www.canterburyfolkfestival.on.ca/
August Harvest Festival: Held during the 4th week of August, this festival features such activities as The Harvest Run, food and wine tasting, battle of the bands, threshing demonstrations, live entertainment and lots more.[7]
November Bethlehem Walk: The Bethlehem walk is put on by local community churches to remind visitors of how Christmas began. With a journey through the woods, you will meet Mary, Joseph, the angels, and of course baby Jesus. Walking through a marketplace, a King's court and the church, it is definitely an enjoyable night for the family.[8]
December Festival of Lights: "The Town of Ingersoll is proud to host this wonderful winter event. We welcome individuals, families, carloads, bus tours and weekenders. You will be treated to over 250 beautiful Light Displays. designed, built and set up by our own Ingersoll professionals."[9] With the lights being sponsored by various individuals, families, and businesses around town, this event brings the whole community together. The lovely light displays can be found in many parks around the town, as well as along roadsides. There is also the singing tree in the middle of downtown which is said to have one light for every citizen of Ingersoll.
Ingersoll is host to a live theatre - ITOPA - which puts on many shows in a year, and also hosts musical and comedy events throughout the year. ITOPA is a local hub for those young at heart who enjoy watching classics such as A Christmas Carol, to less known plays that bring a smile to your face.[10]
Also present is the Cheese and Agriculture Museum which contains the history of Ingersoll in a few buildings. This is also a hub for local activities.[11]
The town is also set with a community centre, Fusion youth Centre, and many other local places for people to meet.
| Zorra | ||||
| Zorra | South-West Oxford | |||
| Ingersoll | ||||
| South-West Oxford |