Harrow, Ontario, a community nestled in the town of Essex, Essex County, Canada, is a place where history and modernity coexist. This article will take you on a journey through Harrow's rich history, its vibrant present, and its promising future.
Harrow's history is as intriguing as it is inspiring. Initially known as Munger's Corners, named after John Munger, the first postmaster, the town was renamed Harrow in 1857 by John O'Connor, inspired by the prestigious Harrow School in London.
Hiram Walker, the man behind the renowned Canadian Club Whisky, played a significant role in putting Harrow on the map. Walker constructed the railway that transported grain from the southern end of the county into the city for his distillery. The railway tracks, which were removed in 1992, were a significant part of Harrow for over a century. Today, the former railway line is the Chrysler Canada Greenway, a part of the Trans Canada Trail.
Walker's distillation operations remained in Harrow until 2009 when the Canbar, Inc. cooperage closed. Harrow was also home to Ontario's last segregated school, which was finally closed in the 1960s.
In 1999, Harrow amalgamated with the town of Essex. The government of Essex was divided into four wards, each represented by elected councillors, plus a mayor. Harrow, as the fourth ward, has a single councillor in the government.
Harrow was also home to Harrow District High School, which held the distinction of being Canada's southernmost high school until its closure in Spring 2016.
While the early settlers of Harrow were predominantly German, a vibrant community of Portuguese immigrants came later and continues to thrive today. Harrow, Ontario, is now a bustling community situated along the scenic County Road 20, offering a variety of shops and antique hunting spots.
Harrow's attractions include the Colio Winery and the historic John R. Park Homestead. The community has been organizing and hosting an annual agricultural fair every Labour Day weekend for over 150 years. The fair, attended by people from Essex County and other parts of Ontario, features a mom calling contest, a pie auction, "bossy" bingo, and a tractor pull.
The Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Harrow Research and Development Centre is also located in Harrow. On the outskirts of town, you'll find Atlas Tube, a unit of Zekelman Industries, owned by the Zekelman family.
The 2001 Census was the last Canadian census to record demographic statistics for Harrow as a separate community. In the 2006 Census, statistics were published only for Essex.
