The Founding of Cornwall

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2005

Plaque Location

The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
The City of Cornwall
In a park on the south side of Water Street
between Pitt Street and Augusta Street

Coordinates: N 45 00.887 W 74 43.693

Plaque Text

In June 1784 disbanded Loyalist soldiers and their families settled at New Johnstown, the site of present-day Cornwall. Initially called Pointe Maligne, the area had been visited by native traders and French missionaries and explorers during the 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1794 Cornwall was designated a judicial and administrative centre for the Eastern District and by 1805 contained a court house, a schoolhouse, two churches and numerous dwellings. The community grew gradually and was incorporated in 1834. The construction of the Cornwall Canal in 1834-42 accelerated its development. With the erection of mills and large factories along the canal's course, Cornwall emerged by the end of the century as a significant industrial centre in Eastern Ontario and as a distinctive bicultural community.

Related Ontario plaque
United Empire Loyalists

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Information

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Settlements

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

Posted July 7, 2012
can someone tell me why the town was eventually called 'cornwall'? my cornwall family is from the area in the 1700's. i have evidence that says some of the family was born there. contact me at in the u.s. thank you!!

Posted October 15, 2008
NB. Augustus Street. Believe I've seen the one plaque you are missing for Cornwall and will get a digital shot to you.

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