Discover Ontario's history as told through its plaques
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The Founding of Belle River
Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2005
Photo from Google Street View ©2011 Google - Posted February, 2011
Plaque Location
The County of Essex
The Town of Lakeshore
In a park on the east side of South Street
between St. Peter Street and Centre Street
Coordinates: N 42 17.460 W 82 42.701 |
 |
Plaque Text
The settlement of this area began following the survey in 1793 of the lots fronting on the Belle River. Among the early settlers were many French Canadians from the vicinity of the Detroit River. When the Great Western Railway was constructed, 1852-53, a station named Belle River was opened here. By 1855 a steam grist-mill and sawmill had been erected by Luc Ouellette and others, and a community known as Rochester soon developed. It was supported by a brisk lumber trade but attracted few other industries and in 1866 had only 300 inhabitants. On November 26, 1874, the community now comprising over 750 persons, was incorporated as the Village of Belle River, and on January 1, 1969, it became a Town.
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Here are the visitors' comments for this page.
> Posted August 20, 2013
Hello. My Name is Michelle Jay (Robert). My Grandfather owned a convenience store in the Belle River area in the late 60s early 70s. His name was Archille Lauzon married to Muriel Mary Lauzon. They had 3 children, Patricia (Patty, my mother) the youngest, Chuck middle child and Paul the oldest. Would anyone have any information about that store? My mother passed away years ago and I'm writing a memoir. I'd like to include some family history about that time in Belle River. They are some of my earliest memories. I appreciate any information you may have about the store.
Warmest Regards, Michelle 416-417-1159
> Posted June 14, 2010
There is a subdivision directly behind the Belle River Public School between the back of the school property and the railroad tracks with such streets as Champlain, Cherie, Helena to name a few. Just curious to the history of what may have been located on this property in the past. I had heard some sort of tile factory or something but just wanted more details of what was there and dates and any other information that is available or where I could find it.
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