Spencerville, Ontario is a charming rural community nestled within the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal township in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. Located approximately 80 kilometers southwest of downtown Ottawa on Highway 416, this village is a historical gem with the South Nation River running through it. Founded by David Spencer, Spencerville is home to many old houses, churches, farms, cemeteries, and other buildings dating back to the 1800s. The village is also known for its annual Spencerville Fair held every September.
Spencerville was first settled at the start of the 1800s when Peleg Spencer established a mill along the South Nation River in 1811. This mill inspired further settlement, and a village gradually grew around it. By 1821, the Spencer family had constructed a sawmill and gristmill to replace the first mill, and in 1837 they constructed an inn and tavern called the Victoria Hotel. David Spencer, the son of Peleg, became the owner of the mills in 1831 and is generally credited as being the founder of the village.
By the 1850s, Spencerville had a population of around 250 individuals and numerous pioneer tradespeople and businesses were operating from the village. The Spencer family had three mills in operation: a grist and oat mill, a sawmill, and a fulling and carding mill. In the 1850s, the Bytown and Prescott Railway was laid through the village, which led to the construction of a train station.
At the end of the 1800s, Spencerville's population had risen to 350 and several new businesses were established. A third church was constructed in the 1880s, and around the 1890s new businesses included a bakery, millinery, a harness shop, dressmaker, a pharmacy, and a cheese factory.
Spencerville is home to three cemeteries: Spencerville Union Cemetery, St. Laurence O’Toole's Cemetery, and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery. Each cemetery has its own unique history and continues to be maintained by dedicated volunteers and church organizations.
One of the most notable pieces of architecture in Spencerville is the stone mill, located along the South Nation River. The mill's construction was largely responsible for the village's settlement and remained the economic backbone of the community for much of its early history. The mill changed hands several times between the 1880s and 1903. In 1903, the Barnard family became in possession of the mill, who held onto it until its closure operating it as a grist mill. The mill was purchased by the South Nation Conservation Authority in 1985 and is presently owned and cared for by the Spencerville Mill Foundation which is a volunteer organization. The mill now hosts community or private events such as weddings or small concerts.
The Spencerville Fair is an annual event, organized by the Spencerville Agricultural Society, which takes place on the second weekend in September. The fair began as an agricultural show, exhibiting items and events relating to agriculture such as equipment or livestock. As of the 2000s, the fair has a parade, a midway, and an entertainment tent which serves as an outdoor bar and concert venue. Other events and attractions vary from year to year, but in recent years have included helicopter rides, petting zoos, and a blacksmith.
