Harrow, Ontario: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Harrow is an Essex County community in the Town of Essex, in Ontario’s Southwest Ontario region. It is an agricultural service centre with a compact downtown, fairgrounds, research facilities, local parks and access to the Lake Erie North Shore wine country.
For travellers, Harrow is strongest when treated as a farm-country and heritage stop. The visit is about older streets, local food and wine routes, community events, greenway cycling and the rural landscape around Colchester South.
How Harrow Started
The Town of Essex heritage register places Harrow within a wider local history that includes the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of the First Nations, the McKee Purchase of 1790 and 19th-century settlement in the former Colchester Township area.
Harrow’s documented heritage is closely tied to agriculture, commerce and rail. The Essex heritage register notes that John McAfee, a civil engineer connected to Hiram Walker’s railway work in the 1880s, surveyed the area around Harrow for the Lake Erie, Essex and Detroit River Railway. McAfee also helped develop Harrow’s downtown core and helped organize the first Harrow Fair in 1878.
That railway changed the scale of the community. Town of Essex heritage material describes the line as a late-19th-century project that connected communities across south Essex County, brought new opportunities to Harrow and later became part of today’s trail landscape after the tracks were removed.
What Harrow Is Like Today
Harrow remains closely linked to agriculture. The Town of Essex community profile identifies Harrow as home to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s research centre for greenhouse vegetables and field crops, and describes the Harrow Fair as the oldest country fair in Ontario after almost 160 years.
The community is also a local shopping and service centre. Visitors will find small-town streets, nearby wineries, fairground activity, parks and access to countryside routes that connect farms, Lake Erie shoreline areas and Essex County heritage sites.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Plan around the Harrow Fair if visiting on Labour Day weekend. Essex’s community profile says the fair has kept its focus on local farmers’ products, which makes it one of the clearest ways to understand Harrow’s agricultural identity.
Walk or ride the Chrysler Canada Greenway. The Town of Essex parks page lists the Greenway at Queen Street and notes that the multi-use trail passes through Harrow and McGregor.
Use Harrow’s parks for simple outdoor stops. Essex lists Harrow Fairgrounds Park, Harrow Veterans’ Memorial Park, Liberato Park, Bramblewood Park and Pollard Park with Kinsmen Participark Trail among local recreation spaces.
Add heritage context at John R. Park Homestead or through Harrow-area research resources. Essex’s museums and heritage information points visitors toward John R. Park Homestead and the Harrow Early Immigrant Research Society.
Quick Facts
- Community: Harrow
- Province: Ontario
- Region: Southwest Ontario
- Municipality type: Community within the Town of Essex
- Population on this page: about 3,229
- Official website: essex.ca
- Main travel areas: downtown Harrow, Harrow Fairgrounds, Chrysler Canada Greenway, Lake Erie North Shore wine route, John R. Park Homestead
- Key routes: County Road 20, Queen Street, King Street, McAffee Street
Travel Notes
Harrow is easiest by car, with cycling possible on planned trail and road routes. Check event dates before travelling, especially for the Harrow Fair, because the community feels different during major agricultural weekends.
Late spring through fall is the strongest season for wineries, farm stands, parks and greenway use. Winter visits are quieter and should be planned around specific businesses, heritage stops or local events.
The town is part of a rural municipality, so opening hours can vary by season. Confirm museum, winery, trail and event details before building a full day around one stop.