Discover Ontario's history as told through its plaques

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The Buxton Settlement

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2009

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted September, 2011

Plaque Location

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Just south of North Buxton
at 21979 A.D. Shadd Road (Road 6)
1.3 km south of 8th Line (Road 14)

Coordinates: N 42 18.369 W 82 13.261

Plaque Text

From the shores of Lake Erie to the seventh concession, from Dillon Road on the east to Drake Road on the west, Buxton's ordered fields are dotted with churches and homes from the epic experience of the Underground Railroad. In 1849, Reverend William King arrived with fifteen former slaves at a 3600 ha tract of swampy, forested land. More refugees followed, buying and clearing 20 ha homesteads, establishing industries, churches and schools. The settlers created the regular pattern of roads and drainage ditches seen today, transforming the landscape into the prosperous Elgin Settlement, as it was then called, where neat cottages spoke of industry and thrift, and children received a classical education. Buxton lives on today through descendants of these determined immigrants who carved out a free life for themselves and their families on the tranquil plains of southwestern Ontario.

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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

> Posted September 23, 2015
This trio of markers makes two cameo appearances on CBC's Still Standing, with Jonny Harris (original air date Sept. 22, 2015). The episode can be seen at: http://www.cbc.ca/stillstanding/episodes/season1/buxton-on. The plaques are near the museum, managed by folks Jonny talks to on the show. Nearby, the pre-Confederation schoolhouse (also featured in the program) is open by guided tour. When I visited in 2012, the guide was a descendant of slaves, himself.

> Posted August 31, 2012
We visited the North Buxton site Aug 30, and found the information not only interesting but so well presented. I must apologize I that I did not get the name of the gentleman who walked us around and was so informative, with his input I am sure we learned a great deal more insight to the families, etc. We forgot to ask of the original settlers how many, today would still be farming/living on their original sites? The historical site is a treasure, and an educational venue that should not be missed or read about in our Ontario school system. Well done to all those who have/continue to contribute.
B E MACKENZIE

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