Tillsonburg, a charming town nestled in Oxford County, Ontario, Canada, is a hidden gem with a rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. With a population of 18,615, it is conveniently located about 50 kilometres southeast of London, on Highway 3 at the junction of Highway 19.
Before European settlement, the present site of Tillsonburg was home to Indigenous tribes. The Tillsonburg Village Site, a 14th-century Iroquoian village, was excavated in 2001 and 2008, revealing 15 longhouses in the northwest corner of the town.
The area was settled in 1825 by George Tillson and other immigrants from Enfield, Massachusetts. They erected a forge and sawmill and built roads, leading to the establishment of this small community, originally called Dereham Forge. The settlement was on the Big Otter Creek.
In 1836, the village was renamed Tillsonburg in honour of its founder. The same year, the main street, Broadway, was laid out to its full 100-foot width. The street was built to accommodate the turning of three-team logging wagons, a unique feature now beneficial for handling modern-day traffic.
The mid-19th century marked the first step in the industrialization of Tillsonburg. A water system was devised to supply pure water for domestic use and provide water power to industries such as a sawmill, planing mill, gristmill, spinning mill, pottery, and a tannery. Many of these establishments were either owned, started, or financed by George Tillson.
In 1872, the village was incorporated as the Town of Tillsonburg, with Edwin Delevan Tillson elected as its first mayor. The town reached a population of 2,000 in 1885, experienced its first church dedication, and had its first telephone installation established. Electric power was first used in 1912, and automobiles began to appear on the market.
In the Town's Centennial Year (1972), the new $1,000,000 Community Recreation Complex was opened by the Governor-General of Canada. The Tillsonburg Museum was also opened in the old community centre on the shores of Lake Lisgar. A new 8,000-square-foot library was completed in 1975, and a second indoor skating rink was built in 1977, funded completely by donations from industry, commerce, service clubs, citizens, and the Wintario lottery.
In 1983, two important buildings - Annandale House (built by the founding Tillson family) and the Hale Street railway station became public buildings. The former was restored as a house museum, while the latter became The Station Arts Centre.
A residential development geared for seniors, named Hickory Hills, began selling homes in 1986. The development significantly added to the town's population and increased the pool of volunteers for local non-profit agencies.
In 1991, a food bank was established for the community's needy and continues to be operated on a volunteer basis. Throughout the early 1990s, volunteers were also busy on the Lake Lisgar Renaissance Project, which sought to revitalize the lake, and make the park around the lake more attractive with the construction of a gazebo, water fountain, and walkways into the lake.
Tillsonburg serves a regional tri-county area of 65,000 people at the convergence of Oxford, Elgin, and Norfolk counties. The industrial base has become quite diverse during the decline of the once-prominent tobacco industry. The area is home to several branch plants of major US and internationally based automotive suppliers including Autoneum Canada Ltd, THK-TRW, Marwood Metal Fabrication Ltd, and a new site for Armtec.
The town has a very active and developing downtown core area which includes the Tillsonburg Town Centre mall, built in 1980, and big box stores including Canadian Tire, Shopper's Drug Mart, and Staples. All of the major Canadian banks have branches in the town, and there is also a credit union.
The town is served by three grocery stores: Sobeys, Zehrs, and Metro. Tillsonburg is served by three radio stations; the New Country 107.3 (107.3 CJDL FM), Country 1510 (1510 CKOT AM), Easy 101 (101.3 CKOT FM) and two newspapers: 'Norfolk & Tillsonburg News.
In January 2006, the National Post listed Tillsonburg as number 75 on the top 100 places to visit in Canada. Annandale House was designated a Canadian National Historic Site in 1997. Tillsonburg is home to three barn quilts, part of the Barn Quilt Trail in Southwest Ontario.
Another attraction is the Station Arts Centre, a multi-use facility created from two historic train stations joined together by a central gallery. It has been home to artistic, cultural, and technical groups since its founding in 1983. It is also home to the Saturday morning Tillsonburg Farmers' Market which operates from May to November.
A number of organizations across Tillsonburg collaborate in putting together events such as Turtlefest, the Week of Remembrance, and the Tillsonburg Country Christmas Festival. Camping is available north of town at Casey's Park on Highway #19 north of Mount Elgin, which is the home of weekly Country Music Jamborees between Victoria Day and Labour Day, where audience members are encouraged to participate on stage.
Though not directly on the route, Highway 401 passes close to the town, and is connected to it by Highway 19, at exit 218. Greyhound no longer has weekly bus service to and from Tillsonburg. T:GO Transit provides weekday local and out-of-town bus service to Woodstock, Ingersoll, and other neighbouring communities.
The Town of Tillsonburg rail service had been served by the St. Thomas & Eastern Railway, a division of Trillium Railway, which ran in most cases parallel to Highway 3 in the south end of the town on the former Canadian National Railway Cayuga subdivision, previously the Great Western Railway's Canada Air Line. Service on the STER was daily, Monday to Friday, but ceased operation in 2013. However, GIO Rail resumed service on January 4, 2022. The Ontario Southland Railway also serves Tillsonburg using the former CPR Port Burwell subdivision running from nearby Ingersoll, parallel to Highway 19 north of town, and then into the north-east end of town. The OSR interchanges with the STER at the south end of town. Passenger train services are provided by Via Rail stations in nearby Ingersoll or Woodstock.
The town is served by the Tillsonburg Municipal Airport, owned and operated by the Town of Tillsonburg. The airport is 7 km north of the town in Southwest Oxford Township. The airport is home to several aviation-related businesses. The airport has 3 runways, with the primary runway being re-constructed and extended to 5,500 feet, constructed of asphalt. Its terminal building houses a flying school and has a cafe, lounge, patio, and viewing area. The airport is used by corporate aircraft including jets. Regular users of the airport also include the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, Air Ambulance, Canadian Coast Guard, the Ontario Provincial Police, and other government agencies.
Tillsonburg offers a variety of recreational activities. Curling is available at the Tillsonburg Curling Club. The Bridges at Tillsonburg is an 18-hole golf course south of town. Lake Lisgar is home to the Lake Lisgar Water Park which is open from Father's Day to Labour Day. The Tillsonburg Senior Centre, located at the Tillsonburg Community Centre Complex, offers more than 2 dozen activities including a woodworking shop, aerobics, handcrafts, a library, card playing including a bridge club, and seasonal activities. The Tillsonburg Community Centre Complex offers a variety of recreation programs, including hockey and ringette. It has two rinks and a mini practice rink, swimming pool, baseball diamonds, skate park, racquet courts, and other facilities. The Tillsonburg Thunder of the Western Ontario Athletic Association Senior Hockey League, play at the Memorial Arena located at the Tillsonburg Community Centre Complex. The Tillsonburg Soccer Park has a land area of 14 acres (57,000 m2). Opened in 2000, this facility draws regional tournaments and players from across the region. The park also includes a full clubhouse with meeting and catering facilities.
Tillsonburg is home to a variety of neighbourhoods, each with its own unique charm. These include Annandale Heights, Baldwin Place, Broadway Acres, Brookside, Cadman Subdivision, Claron Heights, Georgian Heights, Glenridge, Hickory Hills, The Oakes, Park Place, Riva Ridge, Riverview, Rolling Meadows, South Ridge, Trottier Subdivision, VanNorman Drive, Westmount, Woodhaven, and Woodland Estates.
Tillsonburg has been immortalized in song by Stompin' Tom Connors and The Cash Brothers, each of whom have written and recorded songs entitled "Tillsonburg".
Tillsonburg is home to several historical churches, including Avondale Zion United Church, Bethel Temple, Church of Christ, Tillsonburg, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, First Baptist Church, Harvest Time Christian Fellowship, New Hope Baptist Church, North Broadway Baptist Church, The Salvation Army, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, St. John's Anglican Church, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, St. Paul's United Church, Tillsonburg Bible Chapel, Tillsonburg Christian Reformed Church, and Tillsonburg Free Methodist Church.
Tillsonburg is home to several historical schools, including Rolph Street P.S. and St. Mary's C.S.
Tillsonburg boasts several historical and architectural resources, including Annandale House, Leachman Residence, Private Residence at 41 King St, Private Residence at 101 Rolph St, St. Paul's United Church Manse, Vivian House, T.W Gibson Residence, and Tillson Pea and Barley Mill.
Tillsonburg is home to several plaques and monuments, including the Memorial Wall, Tillsonburg Cenotaph, Rotary Clock Tower, and various plaques commemorating the town's history and prominent citizens.
Tillsonburg is rich in cultural resources, including the Great Western Railway Station, Theatre Tillsonburg, Tillsonburg Lake Erie & Pacific Railway Station, Tillsonburg Public Library, and various plaques and monuments commemorating the town's history and prominent citizens.
Tillsonburg is home to several natural areas and parks, including Coronation Park, Lake Lisgar Water Park, Memorial Park, ParticiPark, Tillsonburg Conservation Area, and VanNorman Memorial Park.
Discover the charm, history, and natural beauty of Tillsonburg, Ontario, a hidden gem in the heart of Oxford County.
