Tillsonburg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tillsonburg
Town (lower-tier)
Town of Tillsonburg
Motto(s):  Connected. Enriched. Inspired.
Tillsonburg Location in Southern Ontario
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
County	Oxford
Settled	1825 (as village)
Incorporated	1872 (as town)
Area
• Land	22.20 km2 (8.57 sq mi)
Elevation	270 m (890 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	18,615
• Density	838.6/km2 (2,172/sq mi)
• Demonym	Tillsonburger
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Forward sortation area	N4G
Area code(s)	519 and 226
Website	www.tillsonburg.ca

Tillsonburg is a town in Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. It has a population of about 18,615 people. The town is located about 50 kilometres southeast of London. You can find it on Highway 3 where it meets Highway 19.

Discovering Tillsonburg's Past

Before Europeans arrived, Indigenous tribes lived in the area where Tillsonburg is now. Archaeologists found a 14th-century Iroquoian village site. It was excavated in 2001 and 2008. This village, in the northwest part of town, had 15 longhouses.

George Tillson, the founder of Tillsonburg.

In 1825, George Tillson and other settlers from Enfield, Massachusetts arrived. They built a forge and a sawmill. They also created roads. This led to the start of a small community. It was first called Dereham Forge and was located on the Big Otter Creek.

In 1836, the village was renamed Tillsonburg. This was done to honor its founder, George Tillson. That same year, the main street, Broadway, was made 100 feet wide. This was wide enough for large logging wagons to turn around. This wide street is now special in Ontario. It helps with today's busy traffic and allows for angled parking.

The mid-1800s brought more industry to Tillsonburg. A water system was built. It provided clean water for homes. It also powered industries like sawmills and gristmills. Many of these new businesses were started or funded by George Tillson himself.

E.D. Tillson, Tillsonburg's first mayor.

In 1872, the village officially became the Town of Tillsonburg. Edwin Delevan Tillson, George Tillson's son, was elected as its first mayor. By 1885, the town had 2,000 people. It got its first church and telephone service. Electric power arrived in 1912, and cars started to appear.

In 1915, a public library was built. Funds for it came from the Carnegie Foundation. The town's Memorial Hospital opened in 1925.

The 1920s saw growth in milk production and manufacturing. Tillsonburg made shoes, tractors, and textiles. Tobacco production also increased. The Tillsonburg Livingstons basketball team won the Canadian Championships in 1952. They even represented Canada at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.

Healthcare in Tillsonburg

Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital.

Tillsonburg has one hospital. It is called Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital (TDMH). The hospital is in the downtown area on Rolph Street. It provides healthcare for the town and the surrounding region.

Town Growth and Changes

In 1972, the town opened a new Community Recreation Complex. The Tillsonburg Museum also opened in the old community center. A new library was finished in 1975. A second indoor skating rink was built in 1977.

Tillsonburg Town Centre Mall.

The Tillsonburg Town Centre Mall opened in 1980. It was built to help local shopping. In 1983, two important buildings became public. These were Annandale House and the Hale Street railway station. Annandale House was restored as a museum. The railway station became The Station Arts Centre.

Annandale House, a National Historic Site.

A new neighborhood for seniors, called Hickory Hills, started in 1986. This added many new people to the town. It also increased the number of volunteers for local groups. In 1991, a food bank was started to help those in need.

In the early 1990s, volunteers worked on the Lake Lisgar Renaissance Project. They wanted to make the lake and its park more beautiful. They built a gazebo, a water fountain, and walkways.

Two major entertainment places closed during this time. These were the Skylark Drive-In and the Strand movie theatre. This happened because video stores became popular. However, movies returned to Tillsonburg in 1996 with Broadway Cinemas.

In 1994, the Rotary Club Clock Tower was built downtown. It used a clock from the old Post Office and a bell from the old Town Hall. It became a tradition for people to gather there to celebrate New Year's Eve.

More housing for seniors began in 2001 with the Baldwin Place subdivision. The Tillsonburg Community Centre was updated in 2004. Its main ice rink was made bigger to NHL size.

Jobs and Businesses

Tillsonburg serves a large area of about 65,000 people. It is where Oxford, Elgin, and Norfolk counties meet. The town's industries have become very diverse. The tobacco industry, once very big, has declined.

Many companies that supply parts for cars are located here. These include Autoneum Canada Ltd and Marwood Metal Fabrication Ltd. There are also many service businesses.

The downtown area is active and growing. It includes the Tillsonburg Town Centre mall. Several large stores are also in town. All major Canadian banks have branches here.

Tillsonburg has three radio stations: Country 107.3 (CJDL FM), Country 1510 (CKOT AM), and Easy 101.3 (CKOT FM). It also has two newspapers: The Norfolk & Tillsonburg News and The Tillsonburg Post.

The CAMI plant in Ingersoll, 22 kilometres north, has helped Tillsonburg. This plant, owned by General Motors, now makes electric delivery vans. The area also has a strong farming community. They grow crops, raise hogs, produce milk, and grow tobacco and ginseng.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has its Oxford County headquarters in Tillsonburg. A forensics laboratory for Southwestern Ontario also opened here in 2008.

Fun Things to Do and See

In 2006, the National Post newspaper listed Tillsonburg as one of the top 100 places to visit in Canada. Annandale House was named a Canadian National Historic Site in 1997.

Tillsonburg has three barn quilts. These are large painted quilt patterns found on barns or buildings. They are part of the Barn Quilt Trail in Southwest Ontario.

The Station Arts Centre is another attraction. It is made from two old train stations joined by a gallery. It hosts art and cultural groups. It also has the Saturday morning Tillsonburg Farmers' Market from May to November.

Many groups in Tillsonburg work together for events. These include Turtlefest and the Tillsonburg Country Christmas Festival.

You can go camping north of town at Casey's Park. It hosts weekly Country Music Jamborees in the summer. Lake Lisgar, a small lake in the town center, has been improved. It is home to the Tillsonburg Rowing Club and the Lake Lisgar Water Park.

Learning in Tillsonburg

Tillsonburg has elementary and secondary schools. They are managed by two school boards. These are the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB).

High Schools and Elementary Schools

• Glendale High School
• Annandale Public School
• Monsignor J.H. O'Neill Catholic School
• South Ridge Public School
• St. Joseph's Catholic School
• Westfield Public School

Special Learning Programs

• Adult Basic Literacy Program: This program helps adults learn to read and write for free.
• Tillson Avenue Education Centre: This school offers credit courses and other learning programs for adults.

Tillsonburg's Population

In the 2021 Census, Tillsonburg had a population of 18,615 people. This was a growth of about 17% from its 2016 population of 15,872. The town covers a land area of 22.2 square kilometres.

Getting Around Tillsonburg

Road Travel

Highway 401 is close to Tillsonburg. It is connected by Highway 19. T:GO Transit offers local bus service. It also has service to nearby towns like Woodstock and Ingersoll.

Train Travel

Tillsonburg has train service from GIO Rail. This service started again in 2022. Passenger train services are available at stations in nearby Ingersoll or Woodstock.

Air Travel

The town has the Tillsonburg Municipal Airport. It is 7 kilometres north of town. The airport has three runways. The main runway is 5,500 feet long. The airport is used by corporate jets, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, and emergency services.

Sports and Fun Activities

• Curling is available at the Tillsonburg Curling Club.
• The Bridges at Tillsonburg is an 18-hole golf course.
• Lake Lisgar Water Park is open from Father's Day to Labour Day.
• The Tillsonburg Senior Centre offers many activities for older adults.
• The Tillsonburg Community Centre Complex has two rinks for hockey and ringette. It also has a swimming pool, baseball fields, and a skate park.
• The Tillsonburg Thunder hockey team plays at the Memorial Arena.
• The Tillsonburg Soccer Park opened in 2000. It hosts regional tournaments.

News and Radio

Radio Stations

• FM 88.7: CBCL-FM-1 (CBC Radio One) - Rebroadcasts from London.
• FM 101.3: CKOT-FM (Easy 101.3) - Plays adult contemporary music.
• FM 107.3: CJDL-FM (Country 107.3) - Plays country music.

Newspapers

• The Tillsonburg News: A newspaper published twice a week since 1863.

Famous People from Tillsonburg

Many notable people have connections to Tillsonburg. Here are a few:

• Lloyd Andrews: Played for the Toronto St. Patricks and won the Stanley Cup.
• Charlotte Bolton: A talented para-athlete.
• Jeff Bes: Won a gold medal at the 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
• Colin Campbell: Former National Hockey League (NHL) player and executive.
• Gregory Campbell: Former NHL player who won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins.
• Bill Coulthard: Basketball player who competed for Canada in the Olympics.
• Michael DeGroote: A billionaire and member of the Order of Canada.
• Debra DiGiovanni: A comedian and award winner.
• Gary Green: Was the youngest head coach in NHL history.
• Harley Hotchkiss: An executive with the Calgary Flames and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
• Christopher Mabee: A silver medalist in figure skating.
• Austin Pasztor: Played football in the NFL.
• David Rokeby: An artist who won the Governor General's Award.
• Jay Triano: The first Canadian-born coach in the NBA.

Historical Buildings and Places

Tillsonburg has many interesting historical buildings.

• Annandale House: This house is a great example of the Aesthetic Art Movement style. It was built in the 1880s for E.D. Tillson, the town's first mayor. You can tour this restored mansion and see local history exhibits.
• Leachman Residence: An Italianate-style house built in 1876 with unique rounded windows.
• Private Residence (41 King St.): Built with local white brick, it has decorative trim under the eaves.
• Private Residence (101 Rolph St.): A Gothic-style house from 1880 with bay windows and a striking porch.
• Vivian House: A beautiful Victorian house with a slate roof, stained glass, and detailed trim.

Monuments and Plaques

• Memorial Wall: Located in the Town Centre Mall, it honors the achievements of various citizens.
• Tillsonburg Cenotaph: Also in the Town Centre Mall, this memorial is for men and women who served in World Wars I and II.
• Rotary Clock Tower: At the corner of Bridge St and Broadway St. The clock came from the old Post Office, and the bell from the old Town Hall.

Cultural Spots

• Great Western Railway Station: This old train station now houses The Baggage Room Gift Shop and Gallery. It is part of the Station Arts Centre.
• Theatre Tillsonburg: This building, built in 1961, was converted into a theatre in 1990.
• Tillson Pea and Barley Mill: An old agricultural mill from 1878. It has been rebuilt and is now The Mill Tales Inn and restaurant.
• Tillsonburg Public Library: The current library building opened in 1974. It has undergone major renovations. Murals inside show the former Carnegie Library and other historical scenes.

Parks and Green Spaces

Tillsonburg has several lovely parks and natural areas.

• Coronation Park: A large park with 8 hectares (20 acres) of green space.
• Lake Lisgar Water Park: Located on Hardy Ave, it has a plaque honoring Canadian figure skater Barbara Ann Scott.
• Memorial Park: Also known as Ross T. Dixie Tribe Park.
• VanNorman Memorial Park: Has a plaque honoring the VanNorman family, who helped found Tillsonburg.
• ParticiPark: A 10-hectare (25-acre) park along Stoney Creek.
• Tillsonburg Conservation Area: A place for quiet recreation, part of the Long Point Region Conservation Authority.

Images for kids

• 

  Tillsonburg skyline.