Mar. 7, 2003 How Some Townships Got Their Names

In the late 1800s as the "new Ontario" was opened for settlement and business, the north was blocked out into townships and divided primarily into 100 acre lots. Land grants were provided under the Free Grant Act (1868) and the north began to open up. As each township was surveyed it was given a name of a federal or provincial Member of Parliament, a judge, or other important figures including political supporters.

There have been several large books written over the years, giving the source of every name on the map. These books usually mention a book by H.F. Gardener called "Nothing But Names: an Inquiry into the Names of Counties and Townships in Ontario." The book was written in 1889 and accordingly only covers material to that date. It may be of interest to some of the readers of Community Voices to see what Gardener has to say about some township names. He makes an interesting comment in his introduction when he says that, "mystery will surround some of the township names in northern Ontario half a century after the completion of the surveyor's work." Now, 120 years later, there may be some truth in this statement.

With modern research data available in books and online, and with the work of individuals and groups, especially Women's Institutes, most townships know the source of their name. I have seen several township references, which state that the township was named after the surveyor of the township, which was never the case.

I will give some of Gardener's information on a few local townships included in his book. He did none above the Mattawa River and Lake Nipissing. Since space is limited I will look primarily at incorporated townships (see map). In all cases, the information here is short compared to what Gardener wrote. If anyone wants more information on their township, or information on a township not included, contact me and I will forward a copy of Gardener's information.

Note that South Himsworth has been amalgamated with Trout Creek and Powassan, and is now called Powassan, and North Himsworth is now called Callander. Gurd was annexed to Nipissing many years ago. Cameron and Papineau Townships have joined and have both names in their title today. Nipissing Township is not included because it was not named after a VIP.

The list below starts on the east and moves west through the Nipissing District and into the Parry Sound District. In the description below, MPP means Member of Provincial Parliament, and MP means (Federal) Member of Parliament. The dates indicate Gardeners approximate date of the township survey.