Lucknow, Ontario is a charming community nestled in Bruce County, Canada. This quaint locale is part of the Township of Huron-Kinloss, offering a rich history and a vibrant community life.
Lucknow, Ontario is steeped in a strong Scottish heritage that dates back to the late 1800s. The community was once the hub of the Lucknow Caledonian Games, a popular event that thrived for about 20 years. The town's welcome sign pays tribute to Donald Dinnie, a champion wrestler and heavyweight athlete who competed in the Games in Lucknow in 1882. Despite having no direct ties with the community, Dinnie remains a celebrated figure in Lucknow's history.
The village was named after Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, the site of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The community proudly carries the moniker "Sepoy", a term referring to the Indian foot soldiers who fought on the British side during the Relief of Lucknow. The main street, Campbell Street, is believed to be named either after Sir Colin Campbell, leader of the relief forces, or Malcolm Campbell, the community's first merchant. Several other streets in Lucknow bear the names of British generals involved in the Relief of Lucknow, including Ross, Outram, Havelock, Willoughby, Rose, and Canning.
The first settler of the land that would become Lucknow was Eli Stauffer in 1856. Stauffer constructed a dam and built a sawmill, laying the groundwork for the community. In 1858, Ralph Miller purchased a portion of Stauffer's land and built "Balaclava House", a log tavern. James Somerville, who bought the Stauffer mill and land rights in the same year, had village lots surveyed, earning him the title of the "Father of Lucknow". The village continued to grow, boasting a population of 430 by 1868.
Lucknow, Ontario is home to the annual Strawberry Summerfest, held on the fourth weekend of June. This event features a youth soccer tournament, male and female Slow-Pitch tournament, beer tent, vendors market, street entertainment, and two dances. Past performers at the dances have included renowned acts like The Trews, Trooper, Thornley, and Kim Mitchell.
Music In The Fields is another annual event hosted by the Lucknow Kinsmen and local volunteers. This three-day country music festival is entirely charitable, raising funds for local projects and charities. Over the years, the event has raised over $100,000 for Cystic Fibrosis and over 1 million dollars for other charities. The festival, now in its 11th year, draws a crowd of approximately 8,000 guests and has hosted acts such as Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, The Band Perry, Big & Rich, Travis Tritt, Paul Brandt, Emerson Drive, Lonestar, Johnny Reid, George Canyon, Tim Hicks, Road Hammers & Jo Dee Messina.
The local newspaper, the Lucknow Sentinel, keeps the community informed about local news and events.
Lucknow, Ontario was once served by a railway station along the now-defunct Wellington, Grey and Bruce Railway line. Today, Bruce County Roads 1 and 86 serve as the main transportation links for the community.
