This Is My Town: Metcalfe

Metcalfe, Ontario!

Originally called Hawley’s Corners, it was renamed Metcalfe in 1877 in honour of Charles Theophilus Mecalfe. He was the Governor General of Canada from 1843-1846.

Population? 1,776 (2016)

In the early days it was THE stop from Ottawa to Cornwall. It contained four general stores, an ashery, wagon shop, five boot and shoe shops and three carpenters. It was actually an almost self-sufficient village with employment and services for not only the people that lived there, but drew people from far away.

via GIPHY

Metcalfe was made up of Native Canadians in the 1820s and 30s until the land was given or sold to Europeans. Within 15 years of the settlers coming to the Osgoode Township, there was over 200 families, and by the 1840s, a store was built on the corner of Reginional Road 6 and 8th Concession Line, with the first tavern was opening as well… Thus began Metcalfe.

As stated, in the early days it was THE stop to make from Ottawa to Cornwall, they had four hotels with bars, and in the late 1800s several general stores had liquor licenses as well (not too different from convenience stores now being able to sell alcohol, eh?).  Movies were screened at the town hall in the 1930s at 5 cents a ticket and 5 cents for ice cream. That is a whole night out for a dime.

via GIPHY

The Metcalfe Fair is the biggest annual event in Metcalfe which has been held on the last weekend in September since 1856. The oldest buildings on the grounds is the Agricultural Hall and the Grand Stand. The midway used to be held in the main street, while the exhibits were held on the outskirts of town. This year, you can check out their virtual fair here from October 1st-4th.

Highlights of the fair include: 

• Theme: “Your Fair Anywhere”
• The 164th Metcalfe Fair will celebrate our community and fair spirit, but it will be a different experience than fair-goers and exhibitors know it to be and love. The love of agriculture and community will still be at the heart of our events.
• Drive-thru Parade
• Drive-In Movies
• Baby Show -Virtual Edition
• Fiddle & Step Dance Contest -Virtual Edition
• Open Junior Beef Show -Virtual Edition
• Family Division Entries: flowers, decorated cake, quilt block
• Decorating Competition

More at https://www.2020metcalfefair.com/ 

Quick Facts:

• Metcalfe Pizza has been serving pizza at their location since 1977… That same location used to be a veterinarian clinic, and a barber shop.
• Metcalfe has a farmer’s market called the Metcalfe Farmer’s Market every Saturday from June to October. It has been around since 1992.
•  The Grand Stand for the Metcalfe fair grounds was built in 1891 by Pink and Rolston, the brothers that opened the first general store in Metcalfe back in 1874.
• Parts of Metcalfe were used in the filming of the Syfy television film “Carny” back in 2008.