Elmira, Ontario

The town of Elmira, Ontario is the largest community within the Township of Woolwich in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is located 15 km to the north of the city of Waterloo.

History

A community by the name of Bristow's Corners was already in existence in 1839, when a post office was assigned there. Local merchant Samuel Weber had been visiting New York State in the early 1850s, and had apparently been impressed upon seeing Elmira, New York. This may have been a factor in the decision of Woolwich Township council on February 22, 1853 to rename the community as Elmira. The post office was renamed in 1866. Like most of the township, the primary settlers in the Elmira area were Mennonites, who still form a significant population today.

Related Topics:
1839 - Samuel Weber - New York State - Elmira, New York - February 22 - 1853 - 1866 - Mennonites

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~