Georgetown is nestled in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario, located west of Toronto, on the Credit River, in the Town of Halton Hills, Ontario and is part of the municipality of Halton Region. Georgetown is one of the fastest growing communities in the GTA, and indeed within Canada itself. The population is 36,500 est. 2001.
Georgetown takes its name from George Kennedy, who settled in the area in 1821. He built a sawmill, grist mill, foundry and a woollen mill, which fostered the early economic development of the area.
1837 was the year that two men, probably in the employ of George Kennedy, purchased his woollen mill operation. William and James Barber, both trained as carders and clothiers, purchased the mill and the surrounding 13 acres (53,000 mē) for 750 pounds sterling. To finance this large purchase price, Joseph and Robert Barber joined their brothers in the operation. James Barber built his home where the mill road joined the 8th line (Main Street and Park Avenue).
Cedarvale Park is one of several municipal parks located a short walk from downtown Georgetown, Ontario.
Local People of Interest
- Lucy Maude Montgomery author of Anne of Green Gables, lived in Georgetown for a large part of her life.
- Mike Holmes star of the hit home renovation show Holmes on Homes is a resident.
Local Events
Crazy Outhouse Race
Last Saturday of May every year the Main Street is closed down for the running of the Cancer Assistance Service Crazy Outhose Race
Georgetown Highland Games
The second Saturday in June, Georgetown is host to a variety of Scottish traditional games and celebrations. This one day event brings in local Toronto celebrities such as; Mike "Pinball" Clemons.
Farmers' Market
A farmers' market operates on Main St. in downtown Georgetown on Saturdays 8:00am - 12:30pm from June through October. The section of Main St. that hosts the market is closed off to vehicles during the event.
Industry and Business
Georgetown hosts a variety of Italian and Portuguese restaurants and bakeries due to a recent influx of residents of European decent.
Major industries with head offices and facilities in Georgetown include Mold-Masters Limited, CPI Canada, and Neilson Dairy. Other major industrial concerns include Cooper Standard, Ambrosia Chocolate, BASF Canada, Cercor, and Baltimore Aircoil.
Georgetown is also home to Kingsbury Technologies (Canada) Inc., a large-volume prefinisher of Hardwood Flooring.
Transportation
GO Transit and VIA Rail serve Georgetown Station. In addition, GO Transit operates bus services to Brampton and Toronto. Halton Hills Activan provides local transportation for individuals with physical disabilities.
