Barbara Raue

St. George Ontario Book 1 in Colour Photos Barbara Raue

The County of Brant is located at the mid-point of the Grand River as it flows south from Luther Marsh to Lake Erie. In Brant, the river flows through an area of rich farmland and Carolinian forest. The river was used for water power and transportation. European settlers first arrived in Burford Township in 1793 and began to settle in the rest of the County soon after. In 1852 the City of Brantford, the Village of Paris, and the Townships of Brantford, Oakland, Onondaga, South Dumfries, and Burford became Brant County. Two hundred years ago, Obed Wilson ventured forth seeking an area in Upper Canada in which to settle. He discovered a place with fertile land, sparkling water and natural beauty which enticed him to stay and build a log cabin. Eventually the vision grew into the Village of St. George. St. George, located to the north of the City of Brantford, is in the Township of South Dumfries. It was founded in 1814. John and Peter Bauslaugh were early settlers in St. George, and the early name of the village was "Bauslaugh Mills" in honour of John Bauslaugh who owned a sawmill near Highway 99. Main Street began to develop in the 1820s when Henry Moe began selling fish and dry goods from the first log building. By 1832, the village had three churches and several businesses. Today Main Street continues to thrive with many of the original buildings from the 1800s attracting people to the antique shops, cafes and restaurants.