A Brief History of London to 1855	Dundas Street looking east from Talbot.
Are you good at remembering the dates of history?  There are five years I want you to keep in your mind to help tell the story of London. Hold up your hand.  Picture the year 1793 on your thumb ... say the year out loud ... 1793.  John Graves Simcoe saw the forks of the Thames River (the spot where the river branches off in two directions) and he decided that location should be set aside for a grand city.   He was picturing where London would be built several years later.  And my favourite part, he had his faithful dog, Jack Sharp, with him. Raise your hand again.  On your first finger, imagine the year 1826. Nothing happened to Simcoe's dream for the city until 1826.  In that year, London became the centre of politics and law because it was decided to build a the new court house here.  Mahlon Burwell surveyed the townsite, roads were laid out and the the first wooden buildings were constructed.  Settlers moved in ... the village took shape. The next year, on the next finger is 1838.   Soldiers were sent to live in the village, lots of soldiers.  You may know the story of the rebellions of 1837 in Ontario.  It was a time of fighting and turmoil, so the next year, 1838, three regiments arrived and set up a huge camp where Victoria Park is now.  Soldiers meant money to be spent so more merchants opened stores, more lawyers, more doctors were needed, more schools were opened and more houses were built.   It was boom time in London.  Within two years, the population was up to 2000 people. On your ring finger, picture the year 1853 and imagine the sound of a steam engine.  The Great Western Railway laid tracks into London and a fine railway station was built resulting in another boom.  Huge, beautiful, brick homes were built by London's wealthiest citizens; industries were started meaning factories were constructed.  The possibility of jobs meant more settlers arrived; stores were built downtown on Dundas.  Sidewalks were created; roads now had gravel.  The village of London had a market, a town hall, brick sewers and new churches and schools to accomodate the diverse and energetic inhabitants. Finally, on your baby finger, picture the year 1855.  London was incorporated as a city with a population of almost 12 000 people.  The mayor was Murray Anderson, a London pioneer who had arrived in 1835.   He manufactured tinware and also sold furs.  The daily newspaper, the London Free Press, was made of a four page sheet with six columns per page and lots of local advertisements.  The new city was eager to expand but would be harnessed by an economic depression that slowed the whole of North America.   Part 2:  1855 - 1999
Home  Timeline   Biocards  Buildings  Education  More Info  Teachers
More Information:  This Was London by Orlo Miller    The Historic Heart of London by John H. Lutman Historic Sketches of London From Site to City by Nancy Z. Tausky

The London and Middlesex Historical Society