Born at Clogher, County Antrim in Northern Ireland, Timothy Eaton emigrated to Canada about 1854. In 1856, he and his brother James opened a general store of log construction about a quarter mile from this site in the hamlet of Kirkton. From 1860 to 1868 the Eaton brothers operated a dry goods business in the nearby community of St. Mary's. In the latter year Timothy moved to Toronto. There, in December, 1869 he opened a store, from which grew the nation-wide business that bears the Eaton name. Endowed with exceptional business acumen, he pioneered many aspects of retail merchandising in this country.

Location

In the roadside park, Highway 23, near the site of his former store, just north of Kirkton

Themes

• Industry and trade
• People