Haldimand County facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Haldimand County
City (single-tier)
Haldimand County
The Grand River Bridge, which carries Argyle St. over the Grand River in Caledonia.

Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Incorporated	1974 as a town by amalgamating villages of Cayuga, Hagersville and Caledonia and the townships of Oneida, Seneca, North Cayuga, South Cayuga as well as parts of Rainham and Walpole
Enlarged	2001 by amalgamating with Dunnville and half of Nanticoke
Area
• Land	1,250.45 km² (482.80 sq mi)
Elevation	237.7 m (779.9 ft)
Population (2021)
• Total	49,216
• Density	39.4/km² (102/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal code span	N0A, N1A, N3W
Area code(s)	519, 226, 905, 289, 365

Haldimand County is a rural area in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is located on the north shore of Lake Erie and along the Grand River. Even though it's called a "county," it's actually a "single-tier municipality." This means one local government handles all the services for the area, unlike traditional counties where services are shared. The main offices for the county government are in Cayuga.

Haldimand County is next to Norfolk County, the County of Brant, the City of Hamilton, and the townships of West Lincoln and Wainfleet.

History of Haldimand County
Communities in Haldimand
Historic Townships
Climate
Population and People
Healthcare Services
Policing
Fire Services
Education
Transportation
Protected Natural Areas
Fun Things to See and Do
Notable People from Haldimand County
Images for kids
See also

History of Haldimand County

Haldimand County's story is closely linked to its neighbour, Norfolk County. In 1791, a new area called Upper Canada was formed. Haldimand was created in 1798 as part of the Niagara District. It was named after Sir Frederick Haldimand, who was a governor from 1778 to 1785.

In 1844, the Six Nations people agreed to give up some land to the Crown (the government). This agreement was signed by most of their Chiefs in the area known as the Haldimand tract.

Over time, Haldimand grew. In 1974, it became a town by joining together several villages and townships. These included Cayuga, Hagersville, Caledonia, Oneida, Seneca, North Cayuga, South Cayuga, and parts of Rainham and Walpole. In 2001, Haldimand became even larger when it joined with Dunnville and half of Nanticoke.

There have been some disagreements about land in the area. In 2006 and again in 2020, some members of the Mohawk Six Nations people raised concerns about land that they believe belongs to them.

Communities in Haldimand

The main towns in Haldimand County are Caledonia, Dunnville, Hagersville, Jarvis, and Cayuga. A part of the Six Nations Reserve is within Haldimand County's area, but it is managed by the Six Nations people, not the county. Most of Haldimand is farmland, but there are also some large industries, like the former Nanticoke Generating Station.

There are many smaller communities here too. Some of them are Attercliffe Station, Balmoral, Fisherville, Lowbanks, Nanticoke, Port Maitland, Selkirk, and Springvale.

You can also find the sites of old "ghost towns" in Haldimand. These are places where communities once thrived but are now empty. Some examples are Cook's Station, Dufferin, and Indiana.

Historic Townships

Haldimand County covers a large area of land. This land was originally part of a grant given to the Six Nations in 1783. The county was later bought by treaty and opened for new settlers in 1832. The first non-Indigenous settlers were veterans of a group called Butler's Rangers. Many German settlers also came to the area early on.

Here are some of the historic townships that make up Haldimand County:

Canborough: This area was granted in 1794. It was named by Benjamin Canby, who bought the land in 1810.
Dunn: This area was opened for settlement in 1833. Its main community is Dunnville.
Moulton: Henry John Boulton named this township after his family's home in England.
North Cayuga
Oneida: Joseph Brant gave a long-term lease for parts of Oneida and Seneca townships to Henry Nelles and his sons. Caledonia and Hagersville are in this area.
Rainham: Communities here include Balmoral, Selkirk, and Fisherville.
Seneca: York and Caledonia are important communities in Seneca.
Sherbrooke: This is the smallest township in Ontario. It was opened in 1825 and named after Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, a Governor-General of Canada. Port Maitland is one of its communities.
South Cayuga
Walpole: Hagersville, Jarvis, Selkirk, and Nanticoke are some of the communities in Walpole.

Climate

Haldimand County experiences a climate with warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature in January is about -8.6°C, while in July it's around 21.0°C. The area receives a good amount of rain throughout the year, with some snowfall in the winter months.

Population and People

Haldimand County has been growing steadily. In 2021, the population was 49,216 people. This was a 7.9% increase from 2016. The county covers about 1,250 square kilometres.

Most people in Haldimand County speak English. As of 2021, nearly all citizens spoke English only. A small number spoke both English and French, or other languages.

When it comes to heritage, many people in Haldimand County have European roots. The largest groups include English, Scottish, Irish, German, and Dutch backgrounds. There is also a significant Indigenous population, including First Nations and Métis people.

Most people in Haldimand County identify as Christian. A large number also say they have no religious beliefs.

Healthcare Services

Healthcare in Haldimand County is managed by Haldimand-Norfolk Health and Social Services. There are two hospitals in the county:

Haldimand War Memorial Hospital in Dunnville
West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville

Policing

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provides policing services for Haldimand County. Their local office is in Cayuga.

Fire Services

The Haldimand County Fire Department protects the area. It was created in 2001. This department has 11 fire stations spread across the county. It has almost 300 firefighters and 40 fire trucks. It is one of the largest volunteer fire departments in Ontario!

Here are some of their station locations:

Station 1 – Caledonia
Station 2 – Hagersville
Station 3 – Jarvis
Station 4 – Cayuga (Headquarters)
Station 9 – Dunnville
Station 13 – Selkirk

Education

Public schools in Haldimand County are part of the Grand Erie District School Board. Some of these schools include:

Caledonia Centennial Public School (Caledonia)
Hagersville Elementary School (Hagersville)
Mapleview Elementary School (Dunnville)
Jarvis Public School (Jarvis)

Catholic schools in Haldimand County are managed by the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board. Some Catholic schools are:

St. Patrick's Catholic School (Caledonia)
St. Michael's School (Dunnville)
St. Mary's School (Hagersville)

Transportation

The Southern Ontario Railway operates in the southwestern part of Haldimand. Major highways that pass through Haldimand County include Ontario Highway 3 and Ontario Highway 6.

While some bus companies offer routes through the county, most people get around by driving. Public transportation options are limited.

Protected Natural Areas

Haldimand County has several beautiful protected natural areas where you can enjoy nature. These include:

Haldimand Conservation Area
Selkirk Provincial Park
Taquanyah Conservation Area
Byng Island Conservation Area
Rock Point Provincial Park
Mohawk Island National Wildlife Area

Fun Things to See and Do

Haldimand County offers many attractions and activities for visitors and residents.

Natural Landmarks

Grand River: A Canadian Heritage River, great for canoeing and kayaking.
Grand Valley Trail: A long hiking trail.
Byng Island Conservation Area and Pool: A popular spot for swimming and outdoor fun.
Seneca Park & Rotary Riverside Trail: Good for walks along the river.

Activities

Toronto Motorsports Park (Dragway Park): A place for exciting racing events.
Jukasa Motor Speedway: Another popular spot for motorsports.
Grand River Dinner Cruises: Enjoy a meal while cruising on the Grand River.
Killman Zoo: See a variety of animals.
Caledonia Fair: A fun annual event with rides, games, and exhibits.

Heritage Sites

Haldimand County has many places that tell its rich history.

Grand River Bridge and Dam: Important historical structures.
Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre: Learn about local history.
Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre
Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum
Caledonia Old Mill
Ruthven Park National Historic Site Mansion and Park
No. 6 RCAF Dunnville Museum: Learn about aviation history.
Port Maitland Outer Range Lighthouse and Pier
Mohawk Island Lighthouse (abandoned)

Notable People from Haldimand County

Many talented people have come from Haldimand County, including athletes and artists:

Ethel Catherwood: An Olympic high jump medalist.
Becky Kellar-Duke: A Canadian Women's Hockey Gold Medalist.
Nathan Horton: Won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.
Cam Talbot: A goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings.
Peter Robertson: Inventor of the Robertson screw.
Neil Peart: The famous drummer for the Canadian rock band Rush.
Ray Emery: A late NHL goaltender who won the Stanley Cup in 2013.
Marty McSorley: A retired NHL player.

Images for kids

The Grand River Bridge in Caledonia.
Map showing Haldimand County in Ontario.