LONDON AND AREA IN 1800'S
1820 One of London's 1st marriages was between Thomas Carling & Ann Routledge (future Sir John Carling's parents). The service was performed by magistrates Col. Burwell and Squire Springer.
1821 Another early marriage in London united John Sifton & Deborah Hardy.[Mar.19]
1827 [Jan. 9] London held it's first court session on the SW corner of Ridout and Dundas Streets.
1827 London Life erected it's office just south of Victoria Park.
1828 Abraham Carrol built Mansion House hotel on the north side of Dundas Street east of Ridout.
1828 John Balkwill founded the brewery that became Labatt's.
1829 First meeting of Masonics in area held in Carlisle.
1829 Masonary first appeared in London.
1831 Old wooden Blackfriars Bridge built.
1831 (Thurs., July 7) London's first newspaper, "The London Sun", debuted. Edward Allen Talbot was the editor.
1831 Wharncliffe Road was surveyed (first road to be surveyed in London, I think)
1833 Blackfriars Mill, one of London's earliest industries, located where Harris Park is now, was constructed. Another early local industry of about the same time period was Jennings Distillery at foot of 'Hitchcock St' (Dufferin Ave.)
1834 Eldon House built by Capt.John Harris.
1835 Patent was issued for a "market place ... to afford facilities for the disposal of merchandise of all kinds, as well as farm produce and livestock ... held the first Tuesday of April, July & October each year." [Illustrated London, pg.30]
1836 The Bank of Upper Canada was the 1st bank to establish itself in London (at 435 Ridout Street a block north of the court house). Artist James Hamilton was the bank manager in the 1840s until it was forced to close in 1865. At that time he bought the building and lived in it until he died in 1896. (Slated for demolition in the 1960s, protestors were able to save it, and several neighboring bldgs, and the main floor again became a bank (CIBC) thanks to John Labatt Ltd who was responsible for restoration of the buildings.)
1838 (Dec.4) Elijah Crocker Woodman from London, a rebel, is captured in Windsor (released in 1847 he died on his way home to UWO, London)
1838 Baseball first introduced in Beachville, in Oxford County.
1838 The O'Brien Block, on the NW corner of Ridout and Dundas Streets, across from the courthouse, was erected. Said to be the first brick buildings in London, it served as barracks and also a prison for over-flow from the courthouse cells. By the start of 1839 work had begun on the larger, permanent barracks north and east of St.Paul's Church.
1840 Military set up a theatre on Central Ave. (Main library later there)
1840 Upper & Lower Canada united under one government by the Act of Union.
1841 First Masonic lodge (#209A) was built.
1843 (May 9) North America's first Grand Military Steeplechase was held in London.
1843 London's First "City Hall" is erected, a small frame building on corner of Fullarton and Talbot Streets.
1844 The gaol (jail) adjoining the London District Courthouse was built.
1844 (Oct.) Fire destroyed over 30 buildings in the heart of London.
1845 Covent Garden Market established at it's present site.
1848 (January) London's first elections held.
1849 (Jan.2) First issue of "Canadian Free Press" issued. Originally a 4 page news release by William Sutherland at age 25 yr., it is now the largest metro daily Newspaper in Ontario west of Toronto now known as the "London Free Press". (Canada's 1st newspaper "The Halifax Gazette" made its debut on March 23,1752)
1851 Postage stamps introduced in Canada.
1851 Murray Anderson purchased land boardered by Adelaide St., Queen's Ave, & Dundas Street starting the development of London East. Nobel F. English had a log cabin in the area already.
1853 (Dec.15) After 6 hr trip from Hamilton, the first Great Western Railway train, a 'fast wood-burning locomotive' from England with a top speed of 78 mph, pulled into London. Wasn't for another 2 yr that line was completed from Niagara to Windsor.
1854 Oddfellowship came to London and Eureka Lodge was organized.
1854 1st Calvary Regiment was formed in London
1854 Mr. S. McBride placed weather vane on spire of first church in London.
1855 (Jan.1) London is incorporated as a city.
1855 Adam Hope, a very successful dealer in hardware, dry goods and groceries built his residence on the west side of Ridout St (between McKenzie and Windsor Aves in old-south London). It later became Bishop Cronyn's residence.
1856 London Masonic District formed. Prior to this it was known as Western District. First Masonic Lodge (No.209A) organized in London in this year.
1863 (Oct.27) John Cameron published the first issue of "The London Advisor" (an evening paper). It remained the London Free Press (a morning newspaper's main competitor for 73 yrs.
1864 The first oil refineries were started by W. Bayley and the Duffield Bros.
East London's population was approx. 500.
1865 A memorial service for assassinated US president Abe Lincoln was held at the old North St Church (Queen St) as it was said to hold the most people.
1865 Talbot Inn (The City Hotel) was built by J.W. Scott. 400,000 bricks were used by contractor George Taylor. Designed by Samuel Peters Jr, it had a 57 X 32 foot dining room, reading room, a barber shop, bar & sitting room as well as bedrooms and several shops. It was London's 1st "first-class" hotel with all the modern conveniences.
1866 Lilley's Corners' (East London) population was about 1,000.
1866 Charles Frederick Goodhue built his magnificent residence "The Waverley"
1868 London's first park designated on courthouse grounds.
1868 Tecumseh's Baseball club formed in London. In their first year they won all but 1 game, outscoring their opponents with a score of 106 - 36. In 1869 they captured the minor league professional championship of North America.
1873 (Nov.2) Isaac Hellmuth launched building Cathedral of the Holy Trinity to replace St.Paul on SW corner of Richmond and Picadily Sts.
1873 North West Mounted Police (which later became the RCMP) was formed.
1873 Victoria Park born after old barracks were burned. It was dedicated by Gov.Gen.Lord Dufferin on Aug. 27, 1874.
1874 Oddfellow's Hall was erected on NE corner of Dundas and Clarence Sts. (20 years after Oddfellowship first appeared in London & Eureka Lodge was organized).
1874 Lilley's Corners (East London) incorporated as a village with a population of 2,500. This same year saw Petersville (London West), with its population also at 2,500, incorporated as a village.
1875 Blackfriars Bridge officially opened on Sept.27. It spanned 212 ft (65 m) and consisted of more than 9000 pounds of wrought iron. This replaced the old wooden bridge.
1877 Mechanics' Institute building (229-231 Dundas St.) was erected.
1878 William Miller designed Victoria Park. At the same time the future Springbank Park was being developed as a source for London's water supply, with pumphouses being built.
1878 First Chinaman arrived in London although he didn't stay long.
1880 Section of downtown was paved with cedar blocks. In 1895 Asphalt on a concrete foundation started being used to pave roads making for a smoother surface.
1881 Another magnificent mansion, the "Oakwood" built by Benjamin Cronyn.
1881 Masonic Temple and Grand Opera House was built on NE corner of Richmond and King Sts. Grand Opera House attracted world-reknown actors/actresses.
1882 (May) First Canadian meeting of the Salvation Army held in London's Market Square. A monument now marks the approximate spot. Jack Addie and Joe Ludgate were two originals
1883 Night of July 10 heavy rains started and much of West London was damaged by the flood as well as 8 people drowned.
1884 Kensington Bridge was built.
1885 Lilley's Corners (London East) joined London.
1886 Roman Catholic Diocese of London Women, Sisters of St.Joseph opened their own hospital now known as St.Josephs Hospital.
1888 New Barracks opened in London. Col. Henry Smith was the first commandant followed by Col. Holmes in 1898. The barracks bldg was built with 2 million locally-made bricks.
1895 London Street Railway sold its horses and started using electricity to power their trams.
1898 (Jan.02) After elections at City Hall a victory party was held and during the victory speeches a large section of the NE corner floor gave way. 15 people were killed and several others were injured.
1898 London West annexed to London city.
1897 (summer) Residents from Toronto, originally from London, organized a group outing to London. They called themselves "The Old Boys of London". This became an annual event and in 1899 the "Old Boys" of Detroit and Chicago also joined the reunion. After this the "Old Boys association in London was formed.



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This page last updated Dec.7, 1999