Ontario's Provincial Plaques

Here's where you can learn a little Ontario history.

George Laidlaw 1828-1889

Photo by Alan L Brown - May 18, 2004

Plaque Location

The City of Kawartha Lakes
On the SW corner of Road 48 and Balsam Lake Drive just east of Road 35

Plaque Text

An energetic railway promoter and builder, Laidlaw was born in Scotland and emigrated to Toronto in 1855. He soon prospered as a grain merchant and a wharf-owner, and after 1866 gained prominence as a convincing advocate of the commercial benefits of railways emanating from Toronto. Between 1869-1873 Laidlaw skillfully negotiated the completion of the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway to Owen Sound, and the Toronto and Nipissing to Coboconk. As managing director of the Credit Valley Railway, he vigorously opposed rival railway interests and deftly marshalled regional and Toronto support to insure the line's completion in 1880 from St. Thomas, Elora and Orangeville. Dedicated to agrarian improvement, Laidlaw retired to his nearby ranch, where he raised pure-bred livestock.

Related page:
Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway

Here's More
Construction

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