This Is My Town: Perth

Perth, Ontario.

Named after a town and river in Scotland, it became a home for Scottish and Irish settlers who journeyed there more than 200 years ago.

Population? 5,930 (2016)

Just to let you know, Perth is 200 years old, although you don’t look a day over 100 with beautiful landscapes of Stewart Park, the downtown heritage core where there is a bunch of shops, restaurants and more that operate out of the historical old stone buildings, the riverside… Not a day over 100. You could fall in love with this magical town.

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“Their exuberance and aspirations have always exceeded, by far, the physical size of the town making it a community that tugs at the hearts of all who pass through”– Susan Code.

Following the War of 1812, Perth Military Settlement was founded in 1816. It was designed to direct people to an unsettled area and done so through government sponsored military settlement and assisted immigration.

Early life in Perth was… Interesting to say the least, from a present day perspective. Church was a big thing. But so was horse races. Only a couple of horses existed during the first years of Perth Military Settlement, but they became a source of industry and pleasure. The first horse race in Perth was held in 1823, with drivers starting at Drummond and Harvey streets… they would race to the end of Drummond.

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Eventually, in 1829, the Bench of Magistrates made horse racing illegal. That didn’t stop the semi-annual fair though from holding races as per usual. Drinking was well enjoyed in 1821 with Perth having five taverns and three distilleries for the 100 houses in Perth. It was early Perth, after all.

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Violence was quite rare, that the appointed high constable had to busy themselves with walking around the streets and announcing events. Sometimes, the constable would even sell hot mutton pies, ginger beer and other delicacies.

The people of early Perth could “be described as more outgoing than today–or at least not afraid to wear their hearts, and passions, on their sleeves.” Don’t get it wrong though, life for the first residents was hard, with conditions not the best for those who immigrated. But Canada offered hope for the future which was different from where they came from. Like many towns, they pulled up their bootstraps and created a town that could prosper. From mills, to newspapers, general stores, their first fair in 1845, schools, hospital, and more.

Fun Facts About Perth:

•  Home to Canada’s oldest pioneer burial ground, St. Paul’s United Church Cemetery. It is as the southeast end of the Last Duel Park on Robinson Street.
• The site of the last fatal duel in Upper Canada. Robert Lyon, a law student, was killed in 1833 after fighting over a woman with a former friend.
• In 1893, a 22,000 pound cheese (the Mammoth Cheese) was produced in Perth to be exhibited at the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition Fair to promote Canadian cheese around the world. It was Canadian Cheddar, and won a bronze metal.There is actually a monument at the Crystal Palace. Click here for a great article on the Mammoth Cheese.

• The first newspaper in Eastern Ontario was founded in Perth, the Bathurst Independent Examiner.

Early Perth residents laid the foundation for Perth today, “with their spirit living in the town’s gracious setting, prosperous economy and caring manner.” With an interesting history, Perth should be on everyone’s bucket list to go to.