Fergus, Ontario
| Fergus | |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated community | |
The Fergus post office.
|
|
| Coordinates: 43°42′11″N 80°22′47″W / 43.70306°N 80.37972°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| County | Wellington County |
| Township | Centre Wellington |
| Government | |
| • Township mayor | Kelly Linton |
| Area | |
| • Land | 15.08 km2 (5.82 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 19,126 |
| • Density | 1,268.4/km2 (3,285/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Forward sortation area | N1M |
| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
| NTS Map | 040P09 |
| GNBC Code | FBDWO |
Fergus (2011 population 19,126) is the largest community in Centre Wellington, a township within Wellington County in Ontario, Canada. It lies on the Grand River about 25 km north of Guelph.
The first settlers to this area were freed slaves who formed what was known as the Pierpoint Settlement, named after their leader, Richard Pierpoint. Along with a half dozen other men, Pierpoint was granted land in Garafraxa Township somewhere around what is now Scotland Street in Fergus.
In 1833, just 500m (a quarter mile) from the Pierpoint settlement, Little Falls was established by Adam Fergusson . Along with fellow Scot James Webster, he purchased 28 km² (7000 acres) of uncleared land in Nichol Township and laid out the town of Fergus. Fergusson and Webster both emigrated from the lowlands of Scotland, and were both Advocates by profession. Webster took up residence here and supervised the settlement's early development.
The first house of this predominantly Scottish community was erected in 1833. A hotel was built in 1834 and a sawmill, grist mill, church and school followed in 1835.
They soon established a vibrant economy, using the waterfalls on the Grand River as power for local industry. The Scots built solid stone houses, factories and other buildings which have characterized Fergus to this day. Many of the houses and factories built by these early settlers are still in use today—occasionally occupied by descendents of the original owners.
Until approximately 1850, an unwritten policy of restricted growth was implemented. Because Fergusson, Webster and a handful of other Scottish emigrants owned the land, only Scots could purchase village lots. However, in order to accommodate Irish settlers, Webster founded the town of Arthur (just north of Fergus) in 1840.
Originally Fergus was known as Little Falls, because of the scenic (water) falls downtown, between the Public Library and the Fergus Market. The settlement's name was changed to honour one of its founders, Adam Fergusson. Other names that (parts of) Fergus have been known as include Nichol Township, Aboyne, Garafraxa Township and Pierpoint Settlement.
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