SIMCOE COUNTY, ONTARIO

'Simcoe' is a county located in central Ontario, originally established as "Simcoe District" in 1843 by the Legislature of Upper Canada[1]. According to Statistics Canada (2006), the population is 422,204. The population grew 12.0% from 2001 to 2006, making it one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario, after York Region and Peel Region.
The area of the county is 4,840.54 square kilometres. It is between Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe. The elevated Niagara Escarpment runs through sections of the western part of the county. The county seat is Barrie, the largest city within the county.

Contents

History

Government

Transportation

Education

External links

History

Simcoe County was established by the Governor-General's Proclamation on January 11, 1843. (Source: ''The Orangeville Banner'', March 8, 1951)
The county was initially divided into the following historical 18 townships: Adjala, Essa, Flos, West Gwillimbury, Innisfil, Mara, Matchedash, Medonte, Nottawasaga, Orillia,
Oro, Rama, Sunnidale, Tay, Tecumseth, Tiny, Tosorontio and Vespra. (Tay, Tiny and Flos were named after Lady's Maitland's dogs).
''Adjala township'', an Indian proper name. Opened in 1822, the first settlers were largely from Irish Catholic background.
''Essa Township'', named after a mythical wife of Tecumseh. (Tecumseh was said to have only one wife, Mamate, who died in her youth).
''Flos township'', opened in 1822 and named after one of Lady's Maitland's dogs.
''West Gwillimbury township'', opened in 1798 and named in honour of Mrs. John Graves Simcoe (Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim Simcoe), who's maiden name was Gwillim.
''Innisfil township'', opened in 1822, the name is a poetical appellation for Ireland.
''Matchedash Township'', opened in 1822. The name is Indian and means marshy land.
''Medonte Township'', opened in 1822. The name may be a corruption of an Ojibway word meaning "I carry on my back.". The township lies on an old trail from Orillia to Coldwater.
''Nottawasaga township'', opened in 1832 and named form Indian words meaning, in Algonquin, "the Iroquois River." That was the enemy's route to Georgian Bay. The first settlers in the area came around 1834 and were Highlanders, about Duntroon, Irish Catholics on the Fourth Concession and Germans, near Batteau.
''Orillia township'', opened in 1822. The name is Spanish for border, margin or shore. The town of Orillia was originally the headquarters of the Ojibway Indians.
''Oro township'', on the north shore of Lake Simcoe on Shanty Bay. Oro was set apart in 1820 as a colony for liberated black slaves. Since the Gold Coast of Africa was a celebrated slave-market, the Spanish name for gold was given to the Township. Only about twenty black families settled, and the colony did not prosper.
''Sunnidale Township'' opened in 1823, however the first settlers arrived in 1833. It is said that the Township was named by one of Sir Peregrine Maitland's staff who was lost in the woods and finally happened upon an inhabited shanty in a "Sunny Dale."
''Tay township'', (named after Lady's MAitland's dog). Located in this township are the ruins of the Jesuit Fort of St. Marie, abandoned in 1649
''Tecumseh township'', opened in 1822 and named in honour of Tecumseh,
''Tiny township'', opened in 1822 (named after Lady's Maitland's dog). The first modern settlement followed the migration of French-Canadian voyageurs form Drummond Island in 1828.
''Tosorontio township'', opened in 1822. Name is said to be from the Huron, meaning "beautiful mountain."
''Vespra township'', opened in 1820. Probably named from the Latin ''vesper'', evening; Greek; ''Hesperos'', the West.
Source: ''Province of Ontario -- A History 1615 to 1927'' by Jesse Edgar Middletwon & Fred Landon, copyright 1927, Dominion Publishing Company, Toronto; Chapter IV, History of Waterloo County by W.H. Breithaupt.

Government

The Corporation of the County of Simcoe comprises sixteen towns and townships. As an "upper tier" municipality, the County of Simcoe is responsible for municipal services which include social housing, land ambulance and emergency planning, environmental services (solid waste management), a County road system, Ontario Works, children's services, homes for the aged, a library co-operative, museum, archives, County forest management, tourism, a Geographic Information System (computer mapping) and land use policy planning.
The local, or "lower tier" municipalities are responsible for water and sewer services, local roads, public libraries, recreation services, fire and police services, land use development control and licensing and permitting services.
The cities of Barrie and Orillia, although separate politically and administratively from the County, are geographically and economically part of the County and send elected representatives to serve on County committees which provide services to the residents of the cities, including long term care facilities, social services, social housing, archives and Museum. They are counted within the census division.
The 'Municipalities' of Simcoe County are:

★ Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury

★ Town of Collingwood

★ Town of Innisfil

★ Town of Midland

★ Town of New Tecumseth

★ Town of Penetanguishene

★ Town of Wasaga Beach

★ Township of Adjala-Tosorontio

★ Township of Clearview

★ Township of Essa

★ Township of Oro-Medonte

★ Township of Ramara

★ Township of Severn

★ Township of Springwater

★ Township of Tay

★ Township of Tiny
There are also three indian reserves:

★ Christian Island 30

★ Christian Island 30A

★ Mnjikaning First Nation
County Council is composed of the mayors and deputy mayors of each of the sixteen towns and townships which comprise the County of Simcoe. The head of County Council is called the Warden, who is elected for a one-year term by the council members at an Inaugural Meeting, held each December. The Warden for the 2007 term is Tony Guergis, mayor of Springwater Township.

Transportation

''See ''

Education

Education services for the county are administered by the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
Post-secondary education is offered by Georgian College at its main campus in Barrie as well as in Orillia and Owen Sound.
The separate city of Orillia, within the county, also has a satellite campus of Lakehead University.

External links

★ County of Simcoe

★ Statistics Canada - 2001 Community Profile - Simcoe County, Ontario

★ Simcoe County Area Attractions

★ Townships then and now