St. Marys, Ontario, is a charming town nestled in southwestern Canada. Known for its rich history, stunning limestone architecture, and vibrant community, St. Marys is a must-visit destination for history buffs and tourists alike.
St. Marys, Ontario, is fondly referred to as "The Stone Town" due to the abundance of limestone in the surrounding area. This natural resource has given rise to numerous limestone buildings and homes throughout the town, adding to its unique charm. St. Marys Cement, a large cement producer founded in the town, capitalized on this close feed stock, and grew to be a major producer of cement in the province of Ontario.
The history of St. Marys, Ontario, dates back to 1839 when the Canada Company chose a site for a town on the Thames River. The first settlers arrived in the early 1840s, attracted by the area's natural resources. The town quickly grew with the arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway in the late 1850s, becoming a centre for milling, grain-trading, and the manufacture of agriculture-related products.
St. Marys, Ontario, is also home to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and is the burial place of Arthur Meighen, Canada's ninth prime minister. Timothy Eaton, who went on to become one of Canada's most famous retailers, opened his first businesses in Canada in nearby Kirkton, Ontario, and later St. Marys.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, St. Marys, Ontario, had a population of 7,386 living in 3,128 of its 3,216 total private dwellings, a change of 1.7% from its 2016 population of 7,265. With a land area of 12.44 km2 (4.80 sq mi), it had a population density of 593.7/km2 (1,537.8/sq mi) in 2021.
St. Marys, Ontario, is home to many 19th-century buildings built with locally quarried limestone. Notable buildings include the Opera House, the spired municipal Town Hall, and the Public Library. The Museum and Archives contain a wealth of historical information, with photographs. The Town Hall theatre offers theatrical productions and events.
The Grand Trunk Trail is a walkway transformed from a two-kilometre section of the former Grand Trunk Railway line. The trail features a walk over the restored Sarnia bridge, providing panoramic views over the town.
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame moved to St. Marys from Toronto in 1994 and opened in 1998. It is dedicated to preserving Canada's baseball heritage. The facility also includes a baseball field designed by landscape architect Art Lierman of London, Ontario.
St. Marys, Ontario, is located along Highway 7. The town is serviced by Via Rail at St. Marys railway station connecting it to a rail line between Toronto and Sarnia, as well as a GO Transit pilot project from Toronto to London.
