In 1830, James Buchanan, the British Consul at New York City acquired a tract of 1,200 acres of unsettled land in Adelaide Township. He transferred control of the property to his son, John Stewart Buchanan (1815-1875), who settled there within the next two years. By 1836, John had built a sawmill and grist-mill on the Sydenham River. These pioneer industries formed the nucleus of a settlement which was named Strathroy by James Buchanan after his birthplace in county Tyrone, Ireland. The construction of a branch line of the Great Western Railway through Strathroy in 1856 further stimulated the community's development and it was incorporated in 1860.

Location

On the grounds of the town hall, 52 Frank Street, Strathroy

Themes

• Communities
• Industry and trade
• Transportation systems and communications