Georgetown, Ontario
Georgetown is a community in the town of Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. It is located approximately 60km west of Toronto, situated on the Credit River, and is part of the municipality of Halton Region. Georgetown is one of the fastest growing communities in the Greater Toronto Area, and indeed within Canada itself. The population is 46,690 in the 2006 census, growing 26% over the previous five years. Georgetown is nicknamed "The Home Of The Little NHL" because of the great amount of citizens of all ages who play in the GMHA. The Gordan Alcott Arena in Georgetown is home of The Georgetown Raiders hockey team in the winter and the Halton Hills Bulldogs Lacrosse team in the summer. Georgetown is sometimes referred to as "G-Town" [citation needed]
Georgetown takes its name from George Kennedy, who settled in the area in 1821. He built a sawmill, grist mill, foundry and a woollen mill, which fostered the early economic development of the area. The mill is located on the corner of Maple Ave and River Dr. A number of years ago, there was a fire at the mill. The owner is currently planning a major restoration for the mill and it is under review by the Town.
1837 was the year that two men, probably in the employ of George Kennedy, purchased his mill operation. William and James Barber, both trained as carders and clothiers, purchased the mill and the surrounding 13 acres (53,000 m²) for 750 pounds sterling. To finance this large purchase price, Joseph and Robert Barber joined their brothers in the operation. James Barber built his home where the mill road joined the 8th line (Main Street and Park Avenue).
Cedarvale Park is one of several municipal parks located a short walk from downtown Georgetown, Ontario. In the summer it plays host to many soccer games run by the GSC (Georgetown Soccer Club.) The park also includes a sheltered area with picnic tables and the Credit Valley Artisans building.
Notable residents
- Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, lived in Norval for a large part of her life.
- Jim Mora, Ex-coach of the Atlanta Falcons once resided in Georgetown.
- Mike Holmes, star of the home renovation show Holmes on Homes, is a resident.
- Stompin' Tom Connors lives in Glen Williams
- Felix Potvin, a famous goaltender of the Toronto Maple Leafs once resided in this town
- Adam Bennett, Selected by Chicago Blackhawks round 1 #6 overall 1989 NHL Entry Draft still resides in Georgetown.
- Brian Hayward, NHL goaltender was born June 25, 1960 in Georgetown
- Chicken Man, usually rides into town on his bycicle with a chicken on the back. He lives at the junkyard in Limehouse. **DON'T DELETE IT'S TRUE**
Local events
Crazy Outhouse Race
First Saturday of June every year the Main Street is closed down for the running of the Cancer Assistance Service Crazy Outhouse Race.
Georgetown Highland Games
The second Saturday in June, Georgetown is host to a variety of Scottish traditional games and celebrations. Since 2006, the gr1 bands also compete in the pipe band competition
Farmers' Market
A farmers' market operates on Main St. in downtown Georgetown on Saturdays 8:00am - 12:30pm from June through October. The section of Main St. that hosts the market is closed off to vehicles during the event.
Georgetown Fall Fair
Annual event at the Georgetown Fairgrounds comprised mainly of carnival rides and rural contests, such as the lawnmower race.
Industry and Business
Georgetown hosts a variety of Italian and Portuguese restaurants and bakeries due to a recent influx of residents of European descent.
Major industries with head offices and facilities in Georgetown include Mold-Masters Limited, CPI Canada, and Neilson Dairy. Other major industrial concerns include Cooper Standard, (ABM Cocoa) Ambrosia Chocolate, BASF Canada, Cercor, Kingsbury Technologies (Canada) Inc. and Baltimore Aircoil. The community also serves as the Canadian headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses. Georgetown has seen an explosion of population growthin the south. This has caused a number of new business to appear including Tim Hortons, Neighborhood, A&P and many others.
The Georgetown Marketplace is Georgetown's Mall. It has roughly 62 stores, including major companies such as Walmart and Zellers. The mall is home to stores such as: Peoples Jewlers, Winners & Homesense, LaSenza, Ardene andStich it! In recent years the stores have changed to be geared more towards the younger generation peticularly the younger girls.
Transportation
GO Transit and VIA Rail serve Georgetown Station. The Georgetown Halton Hills Activan provides local transportation for individuals with physical disabilities. GO Transit offers both bus and rail services through the Georgetown GO Station. The GO Transit Georgetown rail line runs between Toronto, Georgetown and Guelph. The GO bus connects to many of the nearby towns including Acton, Brampton, Bramalea and Malton.
Nearby Communities
- Milton
- Norval
- Stewarttown
- Acton
- Limehouse
- Glen Williams
- Terra Cotta
- Ballinifad
- Brampton
- Erin
- Mississauga, Ontario
- Toronto
- Oakville, Ontario
External links
- Georgetown Online Operated continuously since May 2000, Georgetown Online is a meeting place for residents, and former residents of Georgetown Ontario.
- IN Georgetown On-line magazine featuring local Georgetown businesses and events - full restaurant guide
- History of Downtown Georgetown
- Esquesing Historical Society - Georgetown
- Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce Serving Halton Hills (Acton, Georgetown and surrounding area)
- GDHS(Georgetown District High School)
- Christ the King Secondary School
- Halton Hills Public Library
- Town of Halton Hills site
- LetsVote.ca Information on Halton Hills (Georgetown) Municipal Election
- Raiders The Jr. A Raiders' official site.
- Knox Presbyterian Church Knox Presbyterian Church (Georgetown, Ontario, Canada)
- Onlife.ca Information on restaurants in Halton Hills (Georgetown) including full menus, home delivery options, coupons and more