Black Settlement in Oro Township
The only government-sponsored Black settlement in Upper Canada, the Oro community was established in 1819 to help secure the defence of the province's northern frontier. Black veterans of the War of 1812 who could be enlisted to meet hostile forces advancing from Georgian Bay were offered land grants here. By 1831 nine had taken up residence along the road, called Wilberforce Street, after the renowned British abolitionist. Bolstered by other Black settlers who had been attracted to the area, the community soon numbered about 100. The settlement eventually declined, however, as farmers discouraged by the poor soil and harsh climates gradually drifted away. Today only the African Episcopal Church erected near Edgar in 1849 remains as a testament to this early Black community.
On 1 line South at the Oro-Medonte Rail Trail
Oro-Medonte,
ON
Comments
Feature this listing
Increase your priority. Increase your exposure.
Featured listings rank higher in search results than basic listings.
When you increase your listing's priority it will be featured in BOTH the search
results and in competitors
* basic listing detailed pages.
Stay on top of the pack.
Feature this listing!.
*based on variables such as location and category