Heritage Tour

The echoes of history reverberate throughout the Town of Essex. As early as 1787, soldiers and loyalists were settling on farm lots running inland from Lake Erie. During the 1800s, fugitive slaves and European settlers carried on the pioneer spirit by building small communities throughout Colchester Township, as it was then known. Villages that endure today arose at Colchester, Harrow, McGregor and Essex Centre.

Although amalgamation in 1999 merged the former Towns of Essex and Harrow with the former Townships of Colchester North and Colchester South, the unique history and cultural identity of the original communities continues to be preserved by its residents with help from the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee, Town staff and local historical societies.

Engage with our past by learning more about some of the built and cultural heritage that dots our landscape.

Heritage Register

The Town's Planning Department is responsible for processing requests for heritage designation. The Town Planner works with the Heritage Committee to research properties of heritage importance and then to report to Council in this regard.

Designation under section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, gives a property special legal status. Designation applies to real property, and helps to protect and recognize the heritage features of that property. Properties can also be listed, which allows for the protection of a culturally significant building or structure from unnecessary demolition. If a property is listed and the owner wishes to demolish or alter the structure, they must give 60 days' notice to council, who will make a decision on whether or not to issue a permit.

For information on Heritage Planning, or to find out if your property is eligible for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act or listing under our Municipal Heritage Registry, please contact our Planning Department.

Please note: Some of the following locations are privately owned or may require an entry fee.

25 Walnut Street, Colchester British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Cemetery Some of the earliest settlers in Essex County were of African origin, having fought as United Empire Loyalists during America's War of Independence. Prominent Blacks rest in this cemetery, including Reverend Noah Canon, the founder of several BME churches across Ontario which served to safeguard African-Canadian religious freedoms.
18 Gordon Avenue, Essex Centre Carnegie Library Opened in 1914, this building was one of 125 libraries built in Canada using grants provided by American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It housed the public library for over 100 years and continues to serve the public as host to the Essex and Community Historical Research Society.
195 Bagot Street, Colchester Colchester Schoolhouse Built in 1881, this was the first schoolhouse in the area built under the Public Schools Act. Its architectural style is reminiscent of schoolhouses across rural Canada during this time.
87 Station Street, Essex Centre Essex Railway Station Built in 1887, the station and the railway tracks laid across the Talbot Trail established Essex Centre as the shipping hub of Essex County. Despite nearby explosions in 1907 and1980, the building has been preserved and restored for ongoing community use.
Cornwall Beach Road Hutchins Family Cemetery Established before 1854, the Hutchins Family Cemetery is an excellent example of a rural 19th century pioneer family cemetery. Most of the monuments are made of white marble slabs that reflect fine art and carving techniques typical of this time. The Hutchins family was one of the original pioneer families of the area and played a prominent role in local development.
Twin Gables Road, south of County Road 50 Iler Settlement Cemetery The Ilers were among the earliest settlers in the Colchester South region. The Iler Settlement began in 1808 when Jacob Iler bought Lot 37 in Colchester's Front Concession. Throughout the years, churches, schools, farms and businesses have thrived there. The oldest headstone in this cemetery is dated 1832.
1215 Iler Road, Harrow Iler Wirag Home Built in 1880, the Iler home is the last standing remnant of the Iler Settlement. The Iler settlement of the 19^th century contained a church, two cemeteries, and two schools and was established around the site of where the Iler home is located. The property is also associated with the Iler family, one of the earliest pioneer families who established themselves here in 1808, when Jacob Iler purchased farm lot 37.
915 County Road 50 East John R. Park Homestead Journey back in time! Built in 1842 along the banks of Lake Erie, the home of John and Amelia Park is maintained by the Essex Region Conservation Authority and serves as a living farm museum that welcomes visitors all year round.
78 Fox Street, Essex Centre Kowtiuk Home Built in 1870 in close proximity to the Railway Station, this private home was at one time used as an overnight stop and for railway employees and later as a hotel. As a private residence, it has been carefully restored and has received heritage designation.
Dunn Road between County Road 13 and Fox Sideroad McCormick Family Cemetery The McCormicks were among the earliest settlers along Lake Erie's north shore. Alexander McCormick, a fur trader and loyalist during the American Revolutionary War, moved to Upper Canada in 1794, settling near Colchester. The oldest headstone in Essex County, dated 1803, the year of McCormick's death, is found in this cemetery.
Dunn Road Quick Family Cemetery Among the earliest settlers in the area, the Quicks moved to Colchester in the late 1700s after the family had been abducted from their Kentucky home by Indians and reunited with help from frontiersman Simon Girty. The cemetery is located in the middle of a farm field. The oldest headstone is dated 1855.
872 County Road 50 Tofflemire Snider Cemetery A collaborative effort between two of the area's earliest pioneer families, this cemetery is located on scenic County Road 50. John Snider, a Pennsylvania blacksmith, obtained a grant of land near Colchester Village in 1790 and built a house that still stands as the oldest house in Essex County.
11 King Street West E.F Darby’s Drugstore (listed) This commercial building once served as E.F Darby’s Drugstore. Darby was elected as the first mayor of Harrow when it became a Town in 1930.
103 King Street West John McIntyre’s harness shop (listed) This commercial building once served as John McIntyre’s harness shop. McIntyre was one of the most prominent harness makers in the area. The architectural style of the building is reflective of 19th century commercial buildings in Canada.
120 Talbot Street North Grace Baptist Church (listed) This institutional building was once used as the first high school in Essex Centre.
21 King Street East (listed) This commercial building has historic ties to John McAffee. McAfee contributed much to the growth of Harrow. The architectural style of this building is reflective of most 19^th century commercial red brick buildings.
49 Talbot Road South Essex United Church (listed) This institutional building was significant to the spiritual development of Essex Centre.
4005 County Road 11 Central Grove African Episcopal Church (listed) This institutional building has ties to the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
18 Talbot Street North Imperial Bank of Canada (listed) This commercial building is the 11^th oldest branch of the Imperial Bank of Canada. It is designed in the Art Deco Style. It was built as a credit to the Town of Essex.
3 King Street West (listed) This commercial building was built by John McAffee who contributed to Harrow’s growth. This building is one of Harrow’s original building blocks.
314 Queen Station Master's Home (listed) This home was built for the Station master, M.P O’Connor.
44 King Street East Harrow Municipal Building (listed) This building once served as the Harrow Municipal Building. It was designed by prominent architect, James Carlisle Pennigton
22 King Street West I.O.O.F. building (listed) This commercial building was designed by prominent Essex County architect, Thomas Jenner.
190 Bagot Street Christ Church (listed) This institutional building is significant t the spiritual development of Colchester. It is associated with Reverend Richard Pollard, the first ordained clergyman of the Church of England in Essex County.
9567 Walker Road St. Clement's Church (listed) This institutional building has historical and contextual value as the spiritual pillar of the community of McGregor.
400 County Road 13 (listed) This residential building is a good example of a Victorian era farmstead.
54 Talbot Street South (listed) The building's architectural design makes it an important feature of South Talbot Street, a region of town that was developed before the town was officially incorporated in 1884.
94 Talbot Street South (listed) The building's architectural design makes it an important feature of South Talbot Street, a region of town that was developed before the town was officially incorporated in 1884.
98 Talbot Street South (listed) In 1886 the property was conveyed to the Essex Centre Congregation of the Methodist Church (now the Essex United Church). The house on the property may have been the parsonage for the ministers of the Methodist church until 1943. The building's architectural design makes it an important feature of South Talbot Street, a region of town that was developed before the town was officially incorporated in 1884.
102 Talbot Street South (listed) The building's architectural design makes it an important feature of Talbot Street South. Talbot Street South was a region of the town that was developed before the town was officially incorporated in 1884.
138 Albert Street (listed) This is one of the oldest homes in Essex, built in 1885, it predates the incorporation of the Town. This was the home of Charles Roberts - founder of C.W Roberts & Sons in 1912, a local business in Town.
2547 County Rd 20 East (listed) The Fina gas station was one of many built across Canada by the Petrofina Company during their expansion into North America. The architectural style of this building is reminiscent of the Belgian roots of the Petrofina Company.
0 Ferriss Road Ferriss Cemetery (Listed) The Ferriss family is the first recorded family to have settled in this area around the Second Concession. The Ferriss Cemetery remains on the site in memory of some of the municipality’s earliest pioneers. Both pioneers, Joseph and Catherine Ferriss, are buried at the cemetery.
687 County Road 50 East Huffman Cemetery (Listed) The Huffman Cemetery has associative and contextual value. After the American Revolution, Rudolph Huffman, a United Empire Loyalist, came to this part of Canada from Virginia on May 4, 1792. He obtained 600 acres along the shores of Lake Erie. This cemetery lies on a part of that original 600 acre family farm. Many of the Huffman family descendants still live in the Colchester area.