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Goderich, Ontario

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Town of Goderich
Town
Nickname(s): 
Godrock, G-dot
Location of Town of Goderich
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
CountyHuron County
Founded1827
Government
 • MayorDeb Shewfelt
 • Deputy MayorJohn Grace
Area
 • Total
7.91 km2 (3.05 sq mi)
Population
 (2005)[1]
 • Total
7,563
 • Density956.1/km2 (2,476/sq mi)
Websitehttp://www.goderich.ca/

Goderich (pronounced either God-rich or God-er-ich) is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario and is the county seat of Huron County. The town was founded by William "Tiger" Dunlop in 1827. First laid out in 1828, the town is named after Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, who was British prime minister at the time. The town was officially incorporated in 1850.

As of 2007, the population is 8,000. The area of the town is 7.91 square kilometres.

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, Goderich is renowned for the beauty of its sunsets. During a visit to Canada, Queen Elizabeth II commented that Goderich was "The Prettiest Town in Canada". As a result, tourism has become an important industry.

The town participates in the Communities in Bloom competition; in 2004, Goderich won the provincial competition in the 5000-10000 category.

People from Goderich are sometimes called Goderichians.

"The Square"

Huron County Courthouse

Goderich's downtown has a unique octagonal traffic circle known as 'The Square'. The county courthouse stands in the middle of The Square. This is where, in 1959, Steven Truscott was convicted of murdering Lynn Harper.

Contrary to a popularly held belief, plans for The Square were not intended for Guelph. It is thought this rumour started when Guelph was founded, as town planners the Canada Company originally wanted their community to be called Goderich, eventually resigning to Company Superintendent John Galt's wish to name it Guelph[2].

Industry

Sifto Canada, Inc operates a salt mine underneath Goderich's harbour. The mine extends 5 kilometers under Lake Huron, and is the largest salt mine in the world.

Volvo operates a road grader manufacturing plant in Goderich.

Ports

Silos at Goderich Harbour

Goderich Airport (known unofficially as Sky Harbour Airport) is a community airport with three runways: two are paved, with runway lighting, and one is grass. It is located directly north of the town, and is accessible via the Bluewater Highway (which originates in the town as Victoria Street). During WWII, The airport was the site of an Elementary Flying Training School as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

Goderich Harbour is owned by the town, but is operated under contract by Goderich Port Management Corporation. It is an industrial harbour, used primarily to load salt from the Sifto salt mines onto lake and ocean freighters.

Snug Harbour is a marina located within the industrial harbour basin; Maitland Valley Marina is also located near Goderich.

Railroads

The Goderich-Exeter Railway presently operates freight service to Goderich. The line was built by the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway in 1859[3]. The railroad was soon taken over by the Grand Trunk Railway, later CN. In 1992, the line was sold to the GEXR.

CPR build a second railroad into Goderich in 1907[4]. Passenger service ran until the 1960s. The entire line was abandoned in 1989.[5]

The Ontario West Shore Railway started to build a railroad from Goderich to Kincardine in 1909, but the road was never completely open.

Attractions

Huron County Museum

The Huron Historic Gaol is a National Historic Site. It served as the region's gaol (old English form of jail) from its opening in 1842 until 1972. It is open to the public between April and October. This is the site of the last public hanging in Canada. James Donnelly Sr. of the Black Donnellys also spent time here before his trial. As well, Steven Truscott was held here for some time.

The Huron County Museum is a community museum which offers modern exhibition galleries. Permanent exhibits depict the early settlement and development of Huron County. The museum also collects and maintains the Huron County Archives.

The Marine Museum, which is open in July and August, is dedicated to the lifestyle and culture of those who made a living on Lake Huron, highlighting The Great Storm of 1913. Admission to this museum is included in the entry fee for the Huron County Museum.

A interesting phenomena that can be observed in Goderich on a clear evening, is the apparent ability to see two sunsets each day. If the observer goes down to the beach and watches the sun set below the horizon, then quickly makes their way to the top of the bluffs overlooking the lake, they can see the sun set a 'second time'.

Sports Teams

Besides school teams, during the winter season, hockey is prevalent in most Canadian small towns, Goderich being no exception. The town supports both the Sr. A Pirates and the Jr. C Sailors, much of the talent on both teams being of local origin.

During the Summer, there is organized baseball and soccer, as well as flag football leagues.

Schools

Goderich is home to three elementary schools and one high school. Robertson Memorial, Victoria Public, and St. Mary's Catholic separate school are the in town elementary schools, with many more elementary schools serving the rural areas outside of town. Goderich District Collegiate Institute (G.D.C.I), the local high school, was founded in 1841. G.D.C.I is the third oldest high school in Canada that is still operating. The Huron County Museum now uses the original schoolhouse as part of the museum.

Demographics

Demographics
  0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+ Total % Of Population
Male 400 445 365 385 500 595 360 305 195 3,555 47
Female 335 485 405 375 585 630 435 400 360 4,010 53
Total 735 930 770 765 1,085 1,220 795 710 550 7,565 100
Source: Stats Canada

Notable people

Media

As of October 15th, 2007, Goderich is now serviced by radio station CHWC-FM 104.9 The Beach which is broadcast at 104.9 FM with studios in Goderich Ontario. 104.9 The Beach is owned and operated by Bayshore Broadcasting Corporation. The local paper in Goderich is the Goderich Signal Star.

Sister City

References

  1. ^ Statistics Canada Data regarding Goderich
  2. ^ Heritage Goderich
  3. ^ "The B&LHR". Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  4. ^ "Stops along Lake Huron". Retrieved April 24, 2007.
  5. ^ Informational plaque along the Goderich to Auburn Rail Trail

43°44′N 81°42′W / 43.733°N 81.700°W / 43.733; -81.700

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