List of historic places in Golden Horseshoe facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Golden Horseshoe is a busy and important area in Ontario, Canada. It's located along the northwestern and western shores of Lake Ontario. This list tells you about many cool and historic places in this region. These places are special because they are recognized as important heritage sites on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. This means they are protected and celebrated for their history by local, provincial, or even national governments!

Some parts of the Golden Horseshoe have so many historic places that they have their own separate lists:

This article will focus on other interesting historic spots in the rest of the Golden Horseshoe.

Historic Places in Durham Region
Historic Places in Halton Region
Historic Places in Hamilton
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Historic Places in Durham Region

The Regional Municipality of Durham is home to several fascinating historic sites. Many of these places tell stories about how people lived, learned, and even fought in the past.

Exploring Bowmanville's History

One important site is the Former Bowmanville Boys Training School/Camp 30 National Historic Site of Canada. Located at 2020 Lambs Road in Bowmanville, this place has a unique history. It was once a training school for boys and later, during World War II, it became a prisoner-of-war camp for German officers. It's a reminder of different times in Canadian history.

Historic Churches and Estates

The Old Stone Church National Historic Site of Canada in Brock (near Beaverton) is a beautiful old building that has stood for many years. It's a great example of early Canadian architecture and community life.

In Oshawa, you can find the Colonel R. S. McLaughlin Armoury, a building used by the military, and the grand Parkwood National Historic Site of Canada. Parkwood was the home of R.S. McLaughlin, who founded General Motors of Canada. It's a stunning estate with beautiful gardens and architecture, showing how wealthy families lived in the early 20th century.

Parkwood Estate, a grand historic home in Oshawa.

Old Schools and Hotels in Pickering

The town of Pickering has several historic buildings that were once important community hubs. These include the Art Gallery; Former Brougham School House and the Former Atha School House, which both served as places of learning for children long ago. The Former Commercial Hotel and the Former Miller Residence in Brougham give us a glimpse into the past, showing where people stayed and lived.

Another significant site in Pickering is Thistle Ha' Farm National Historic Site of Canada. This farm is recognized for its long history and its role in Canadian agriculture.

Thistle Ha' Farm, a historic agricultural site in Pickering.

Town Halls and Manors

In Scugog, the Former Port Perry Town Hall National Historic Site of Canada stands as a reminder of the town's early government and community gatherings.

The historic Port Perry Town Hall.

Uxbridge is home to the Leaskdale Manse National Historic Site of Canada. This was the home of famous Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote the "Anne of Green Gables" books. It's a special place for fans of her stories.

Leaskdale Manse, the former home of author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Finally, in Whitby, the Ontario County Court House is a historic building where important legal decisions were made for the region.

The historic Ontario County Court House in Whitby.

Historic Places in Halton Region

The Regional Municipality of Halton also has many historic places, from lighthouses to old homes and churches, each with its own story.

Burlington's Natural and Man-Made Wonders

In Burlington, you can find the Lighthouse at the Burlington Canal, which has guided ships for many years. The Royal Botanical Gardens National Historic Site of Canada is a huge and beautiful area recognized for its important plant collections and natural landscapes. It's a great place to learn about nature and enjoy the outdoors.

A monarch butterfly at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Halton Hills' Community Buildings

Halton Hills has several historic community buildings. The Acton Town Hall and the Glen Williams Town Hall were central to their communities. The Georgetown Public Library and Cultural Centre also has a rich history, serving as a place for learning and gathering.

The historic Acton Town Hall.

The Georgetown Public Library and Cultural Centre.

Churches like the Boston Presbyterian Church are also important historic sites, showing the spiritual life of early settlers.

Boston Presbyterian Church in Halton Hills.

Milton's Heritage Homes and Churches

Milton features several historic homes, such as the houses at 16 Hugh Street, 66 Charles Street, and 151 Robert Street. These homes offer a look into the architectural styles and daily lives of people from the past.

A historic home at 16 Hugh Street in Milton.

The historic house at 66 Charles Street.

A historic residence at 151 Robert Street.

Cemeteries like Bronte Pioneer Cemetery and churches such as Ebenezer United Church and Nassagaweya Church are also recognized for their historical significance, often telling stories of the early settlers and their communities.

Bronte Pioneer Cemetery.

Ebenezer United Church.

Nassagaweya Church.

The Milton Court House is another important historic building in the town.

The Milton Court House.

Oakville's Estates and Districts

Oakville boasts several historic sites, including the Erchless Estate, a beautiful property that once belonged to the Chisholm family, who founded Oakville. It's now a museum.

Erchless Estate in Oakville.

The First and Second Street Heritage Conservation District and the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District are areas where many historic buildings are preserved together, showing what the town looked like in earlier times.

Gairloch Gardens is a lovely historic garden that offers beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere.

Gairloch Gardens, a historic site in Oakville.

Other notable places include the Henry Gulledge House, the Old Post Office Museum (Oakville's first post office), and several historic cemeteries like Bronte Cemetery, Cox Pioneer Cemetery, Merton-Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Munn's Cemetery, and St Mary's Cemetery. These cemeteries often contain graves of the town's earliest residents.

The historic Henry Gulledge House.

Oakville's first post office, now a museum.

Gravestones at Merton-Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

The Sovereign House is another historic home in Oakville, adding to the rich history of the area.

Historic Places in Hamilton

Hamilton is a city with a very deep and important history, especially concerning early Canadian development and military events.

Battlefields and Fortifications

The Battle of Stoney Creek National Historic Site of Canada is a very important place. It marks the site of a key battle during the War of 1812, where Canadian and British forces fought against American invaders. The Battlefield Monument – Stoney Creek Battlefield Park and the Gage House – Stoney Creek Battlefield Park are also part of this historic area, helping visitors understand the events of that time.

The battlefield at Stoney Creek.

The monument at Stoney Creek Battlefield Park.

Gage House at Stoney Creek Battlefield Park.

Burlington Heights National Historic Site of Canada is another significant War of 1812 site. It was a strategic military post that helped defend the region.

A memorial at Burlington Heights.

Historic Buildings and Homes

Many historic buildings in Hamilton showcase its past. Auchmar is a beautiful old estate that tells stories of the city's early prominent families.

Auchmar, a historic estate in Hamilton.

The Christ's Church Cathedral and the Church of the Ascension are historic places of worship, showing the importance of faith in the community's development.

Christ's Church Cathedral in Hamilton.

Church of the Ascension.

Dundurn Castle National Historic Site of Canada is one of Hamilton's most famous landmarks. It's a grand mansion built in the 1830s for Sir Allan MacNab, a former Premier of the Province of Canada. It's now a museum where you can learn about Victorian life.

Dundurn Castle, a famous historic site in Hamilton.

The Erland Lee (Museum) Home National Historic Site of Canada is special because it's where the first Women's Institute in the world was founded in 1897. This organization helped women in rural areas learn new skills and support each other.

The Erland Lee Museum Home.

Other notable buildings include the Former Hamilton Customs House National Historic Site of Canada, which was important for trade, and the Former Hamilton Railway Station (Canadian National) National Historic Site of Canada, a grand old train station.

The Former Hamilton Customs House.

The Former Hamilton Railway Station (Canadian National).

The Hamilton Waterworks National Historic Site of Canada is recognized for its important role in providing clean water to the city, showcasing early engineering achievements.

The Hamilton Waterworks.

Military and Community Landmarks

Hamilton is also home to significant military heritage. The HMCS Haida National Historic Site of Canada is a real naval destroyer, known as "Canada's Fightingest Ship" from World War II and the Korean War. You can visit it and learn about its history.

HMCS Haida, a historic naval ship.

The John Weir Foote Armoury National Historic Site of Canada is another military building, named after a brave Canadian soldier.

John Weir Foote Armoury.

The McQuesten House / Whitehern National Historic Site of Canada is a well-preserved historic home that belonged to the McQuesten family, who were important in Hamilton's development.

Whitehern, the historic McQuesten House.

Other historic places include St. Paul's Presbyterian Church / Former St. Andrew's Church National Historic Site of Canada, Sandyford Place, the Former Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway Station, and Victoria Hall National Historic Site of Canada, all contributing to the rich tapestry of Hamilton's past.