The Founding of Port Elgin
Text from the plaque
Port Elgin's development began when, in 1854, Benjamin Shantz, one of Saugeen Township's early settlers, acquired from George Butchart a sawmill on Mill Creek. Nearby he built a grist-mill and within three years a community of 250 people had developed around these mills. Stores, hotels and tanneries were constructed and in March, 1857, a village plot named Port Elgin was laid out. The enterprise of its businessmen, notably Henry Hilker, Samuel Bricker and John Stafford, contributed to the development of the settlement, which had a population of over 600 by 1867. The arrival of the Wellington, Grey and Bruce Railway in 1872 further stimulated the growth of the community and it was incorporated as a Village in 1874 with a population of about 950.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Bruce
The Town of Saugeen Shores
In Port Elgin, on the west side of Goderich Street (Road 21)
almost 6 blocks north of Gustavus Street
N 44 26.522 W 81 23.068
Recorded June 2005. Check current access before visiting.
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