Nestled in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, Woodstock is a city that beautifully blends history and modernity. Known as the Dairy Capital of Canada, Woodstock is a friendly city with a population of 46,705 according to the 2016 Canadian census. The city is the seat of Oxford County and is located approximately 128 km from Toronto and 43 km from London, Ontario.
Woodstock was first settled by European colonists and United Empire Loyalists in 1800, with Zacharias Burtch and Levi Luddington being among the first settlers. The city was incorporated as a town in 1851 and has since maintained steady growth. Today, Woodstock is a small city in Southwestern Ontario that has managed to preserve all of its original administration buildings, a rarity in Ontario.
The city has a strong economic focus on manufacturing and tourism and serves as a market city for the surrounding agricultural industry. Woodstock is home to a campus of Fanshawe College and hosts a number of cultural and artistic exhibits, including the Woodstock Museum, a national historic site.
Woodstock's summer festivals contribute significantly to its tourism industry. However, the city's economic activity is primarily centered on the manufacturing sector, with several auto-manufacturing factories calling Woodstock home. The city's west end boasts well-preserved Victorian streetscapes, with Vansittart Avenue, named after Admiral Henry Vansittart, one of the city's first settlers, being particularly notable.
The city also has a large community center with a rink capable of accommodating 1,800 spectators for hockey games. The center also features a large banquet hall and atrium, which host numerous social gatherings for the community.
Woodstock is rich in history, with several landmarks that tell the story of the city's past. The Old Town Hall, now the Woodstock Museum, NHS, was built in 1853 and is a majestic structure with semi-circular windows and a domed cupola. The Woodstock Market, built in 1895, is another notable landmark, with its low roof, wide canopies, and twin towers.
Other historical landmarks include the old jail, built in 1854, the Woodstock Public Library, built in 1909, and the Oxford County Court House, built in 1892. The city's current City Hall was originally built in 1901 as a post office, and the Perry Street firehall, built in 1899, is another historical structure worth visiting.
Woodstock is home to several parks and gardens, with Southside Park being the most notable. The park features a playground, baseball diamonds, public washrooms, soccer fields, gardens, and a new Skatepark. It also has a large pond and many walking trails.
Roth Park and the Gordon Pittock Conservation Area, located at the city's north end, stretch along the shores of the Gordon Pittock Reservoir, an artificial lake created by the construction of the Pittock Dam. This park contains a playground and several kilometers of walking, running, and biking trails.
Woodstock is home to several industries, including the Toyota plant, Hino Motors Canada Ltd., and other automotive supply companies. The city also houses the General Motors National Parts Distribution Warehouse, Vuteq Canada, Toyota Boshoku, Tigercat Industries, RWF Bron, and Woodstock Precision Machining, among others.
Woodstock Transit provides bus service on weekdays and Saturdays. For intercity travel, Via Rail operates a train station in the city, offering Quebec City-Windsor corridor service to Toronto, Windsor, and points in between. Highway 401 runs along the southern edge of the city, and its western junction with Highway 403 is located in the extreme south-east.
Woodstock is a city that offers a unique blend of history, culture, industry, and natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or someone looking for a friendly community to call home, Woodstock, Ontario has something for everyone.
