The town of Elmira, Ontario is the largest community within the Township of Woolwich in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is located 15 km to the north of the city of Waterloo.

Table of contents
1 History
2 Geography
3 Events
4 External Links

History

A community by the name of Bristow's Corners was already in existence in 1839, when a post office was assigned there. Local merchant Samuel Weber had been visiting New York State in the early 1850s, and had apparently been impressed upon seeing Elmira, New York. This may have been a factor in the decision of Woolwich Township council on February 22, 1853 to rename the community as Elmira. The post office was renamed in 1866. Like most of the township, the primary settlers in the Elmira area were Mennonites, who still form a significant population today.

Geography

The town was founded at the intersection of two roads, now Regional Road 21 (Arthur St.) running north-south, and Regional Road 86 (Church St.), running east-west. Canagagigue Creek is the major body of water, flowing southeast from the north end of town to join the Grand River, some 4 km to the east.

Events

Elmira's main annual event is the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, held each spring in early April. It attracts some 60,000 visitors to the one-day event, giving it the claim of the "world's largest one-day festival".

North: Elora
West: Wilmot Township, Listowel Elmira East: Guelph
South: St. Jacobs, Waterloo

See also: Canada, Canadian provinces and territories, List of communities in Ontario

External Links