Walkerton, Ontario, is a charming town nestled in the municipality of Brockton, Bruce County, Canada. As the site of Brockton's municipal offices and the county seat, Walkerton is a significant hub in the region. The town is beautifully situated on the Saugeen River, at the junction of King's Highway 9 and the former King's Highway 4. It is conveniently located 75 km southwest of Owen Sound. As of the 2011 census, Walkerton was home to a close-knit community of 4,967 residents. On January 1, 1999, Walkerton officially became part of the Municipality of Brockton.
Walkerton's history dates back to 1849 when it was part of Brant County. The town was first settled by William Jasper and Edward Boulton, who farmed to the east of the river. Other early settlers included John Lundy, Moses Stewart, and Thomas Bilkie, who farmed to the west of the river.
In 1850, Joseph Walker, one of the founders of Walkerton, arrived from Ireland. Walker played a significant role in shaping the town, building saw mills and flour mills, surveying the area into a town plot, and encouraging businesses to set up shop. Walker served as the reeve of Brant for several terms and was elected as the first mayor of Walkerton.
Although Walkerton was never incorporated as a village, it gained town status in 1871, with a population of just under 1,000. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century boosted the population to 2,604 by 1881 and 3,061 by 1891, as it enabled locals to ship their grain. By 1901, the population slightly decreased to 2,971.
Walkerton, Ontario, unfortunately, made headlines in 2000 due to a fatal E. coli outbreak in the town's water supply.
Walkerton, Ontario, has a unique claim to fame. The town is rumored to have been featured in the Guinness World Records for having a church on each corner of the jail and courthouse complex. This intriguing fact has been confirmed and even covered by Ripley's Believe It or Not!
