Merlin, Ontario is a quaint farming community nestled in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Home to 750 residents, Merlin is situated five kilometres north of the beautiful shores of Lake Erie, within the municipality of Chatham-Kent. The community's name, bestowed by the Post Office Department in 1868, was inspired by a village near Edinburgh, Scotland. With three main streets branching out from the central intersection, Merlin is a charming hometown of country music singer Michelle Wright.
Merlin was once home to both a high school and an elementary school. However, due to a decline in enrolment, Merlin District High School was closed around 1980 and later demolished. Today, Merlin Area Public School, home of the Merlin Colts, operates on Erie Street, at the northern edge of town, with approximately 250 students.
The Merlin Library, located on Aberdeen Street, offers books, internet access, and resource sharing agreements with other public libraries throughout Chatham-Kent. Although the Ontario Provincial Police detachment was closed in the 1990s, the building now houses the Chatham-Kent Fire Department.
The Kinsmen, who have a charter in Merlin, maintain the Merlin Kinsmen Park, featuring a playground, splash pad, shelters, and two baseball diamonds. A community centre and another baseball diamond are maintained by the municipality of Chatham-Kent. Adjacent to the park, a cenotaph commemorates Canadian participants in World War II. The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 465, also calls Merlin home.
For local amenities, Merlin boasts three eateries—Erie Café & Variety, The Garage, and Flame & Frostbite—two general stores, and a branch of Canada Post. The Summer's Gold Honey Company, Chatham-Kent's only CFIA registered Honey packing facility, offers wholesale and retail honey and hive products. Tours of the facility are available upon advance request.
Adding to the town's charm, Merlin is home to a reputedly haunted house, featured in the annual "Ghost Walks of Chatham".
Farming remains the primary industry in Merlin and the adjacent townships of Tilbury East and Raleigh. A significant alteration to the local landscape began in 2007 with the construction of 44 wind turbines by Kruger Energy. These Danish-made turbines each generate 2.3 megawatts (MW) of electricity, contributing to a total of 101.2 MW.
Natural gas wells were once part of the area to the west, in the former Tilbury East township. However, following the capping of the wells and the closing of the pumping station in the 1980s, Union Gas sold the facilities. The main pumping building is no longer in Port Alma, but some maintenance sheds and an office building still remain.
Experience the charm and history of Merlin, Ontario, a community that beautifully blends rural tranquility with a rich heritage.
