Elora, Ontario

{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Elora |other_name = |native_name =  |nickname = |settlement_type = Unincorporated community | motto = {{force singular}} "Tempus Rerum Imperator"{{spaces|2}}([[Latin]]) "Time, commander of (all) matters" |image_skyline = [[File:Elora Mill 2014.jpg|200px]] |imagesize = |image_caption = The 1832 mill in 2014; it has since been restored to a luxury Inn |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |city_logo = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |pushpin_map = Ontario#Canada |pushpin_label_position =  |pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ontario##Location within Canada |pushpin_mapsize = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = Canada |subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Ontario]] |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = [[Wellington County, Ontario|Wellington County]] |subdivision_type3 = Township |subdivision_name3 = [[Centre Wellington]] |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 =  |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title =  |established_date = |established_title2 =  |established_date2 = |established_title3 =  |established_date3 = |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2011 |population_footnotes = <ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://sgef.ca/infographic.html|title=Smart Growth Elora + Fergus|date=2016|website=Infographic SGEF Canada|publisher=SGEF Canada|access-date=11 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312061343/http://sgef.ca/infographic.html|archive-date=March 12, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> |population_note = |population_total = 7,756 (estimated) |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = |timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]] |utc_offset = −05:00 |timezone_DST = EDT |utc_offset_DST = −04:00 |coordinates = {{coord|43|41|06|N|80|25|38|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline}} |elevation_footnotes =  |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = |postal_code_type = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]] |postal_code = [[List of N postal codes of Canada|N0B 1S0]] |area_codes = [[Area codes 519, 226, and 548|519 ,226 and 548]] |blank_name = [[National Topographic System|NTS]] Map |blank_info = {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|40|P|9}} |blank1_name = [[Geographical Names Board of Canada|GNBC]] Code |blank1_info = FCICM |website = |footnotes = }}

'''The Historic Village of Elora''' is a community in the [[township (Canada)|township]] of [[Centre Wellington]] [[Wellington County, Ontario|(Wellington County)]] in the [[Ontario|Province of Ontario]], [[Canada]]. It is well known for its 19th-century [[limestone]] architecture and its geographically, historically, and culturally significant [[Elora Gorge|limestone gorge.]]

Elora is no longer an incorporated municipality in its own right, although it is the seat of the municipal government that succeeded it. [[Centre Wellington|The Township of Centre Wellington]] was formed in 1999 when, on the advice of the [[Ontario|Province]], the [[Wellington County, Ontario|County]] amalgamated the Town of [[Fergus, Ontario|Fergus]]; the Village of Elora; and the surrounding townships of Nichol, Pilkington, and West Garafraxa (along with the northwestern part of Eramosa.)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/localhistory.asp |title=Local History |date=October 17, 2017 |publisher=Wellington County |access-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926193349/http://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/localhistory.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> The decision — along with the Ontario government’s role therein — remains highly controversial among Elora’s inhabitants.

In 2011, the village was estimated to have had a population of approximately 7,756.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

==History== Roman Catholic missionaries first visited the area in the early to mid-1600s, attempting to Christianize the indigenous people, particularly the Neutral Nation on the Attiwandaronk Lands. The first European settlers arrived in 1817, and Roswell Matthews built a home here the next year.<ref>{{cite book|last=Connon|first=John R.|date=1906|title=The Early History of Elora, Ontario, and Vicinity |url=https://archive.org/stream/elora00conn/elora00conn_djvu.txt |location=Elora |publisher=Digitized by the Internet Archive, 2014 |access-date=March 11, 2017}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.southwesternontario.ca/community-story/6753352-fergus-elora-a-history-shaped-by-the-grand-river/|title=Fergus-Elora: A history shaped by the Grand River|date=July 5, 2016|website=Southwesternontario.ca|access-date=November 30, 2018|archive-date=November 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130202314/https://www.southwesternontario.ca/community-story/6753352-fergus-elora-a-history-shaped-by-the-grand-river/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Captain William Gilkison founded Elora in 1832. Originally from Ayrshire, Scotland, Gilkison emigrated to North America in 1796, was recently returned from India, and had served in the War of 1812, fighting the nascent United States. He bought 14,000 acres of land on the Grand River and settled on the east side of the river. The plan for the settlement was laid out by Lewis Burwell, deputy provincial land surveyor, late in 1832. By his death in April 1833, Gilkison had opened a sawmill and a general store.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Founder of Elora |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Wellington17.html |access-date=July 25, 2019 |website=Ontarioplaques.com |publisher=Alan L. Brown}}</ref> The name "Elora" was taken from Gilkison's brother's ship, which was itself inspired by the [[Ellora Caves]] near [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]], Maharashtra, India.[[File:Reservists marshalled, in Elora Ontario, in 1862.jpg|thumb|Voluntary regiment in May 1862 in Elora, Ontario. The army consisted of 30,000 men in 1870, intended to defend Canada against a possible attack from the United States]] [[Image:A street in Elora, Ontario, after an ice storm, early 1900s.jpg|thumb|A street in Elora after an [[ice storm]]; early 1900s.]]Charles Allan and Andrew Geddes laid out a town site on the west side of the river. By 1848, village lots were being sold, and the settlement was incorporated into a village in 1858. The commercial area was near the grist mill, by the waterfalls (Mill St.), and eventually moved further up the hill.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elora-ontario.com/about-elora-ontario/ |title=About Elora, Ontario |date=2015 |website=Elora-ontario.com |publisher=Town of Elora |access-date=March 11, 2017}}</ref>

The ''Smith's Canadian Gazetteer'' of 1846 describes Elora as having beautiful waterfalls and a deep channel carved by the river in the limestone rock. At the time, there were only 100 inhabitants but two churches, three mills, and a post office. Otherwise, there were a few tradespeople and a single tavern.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Wm. H. |date=1846 |title=Smith's Canadian Gazetteer - Statistical and General Information Respecting all parts of The Upper Province, or Canada West |url=https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |location=Toronto |publisher=H. & W. Rowsell |page=[https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit/page/54 54]}}</ref>

In the 1850s and 1860s, Elora was a major agricultural marketplace. Stores in the downtown area sold a wide range of goods. The flour mill and saw were powered by the Grand River. In 1869, the population was 1,500.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/provinceontario00mcevgoog|title=The Province of Ontario Gazetteer and Directory |first=Henry|last=McEvoy|date=November 1869 |publisher=Robertson & Cook |isbn=9780665094125 |access-date=November 30, 2018|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> By 1870, several other mills, two distilleries, a carpet factory, a tannery, and two furniture factories were operating.<ref name="auto"/> While there were some earlier private providers of electricity on a small scale, more extensive provision of power, by Ontario Hydropower, began in 1914.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cwhydro.ca/pdfs/History_of_the_Electrical_Industry_in_Fergus_and_Elora.pdf |title=History of the Electrical Industry in Fergus and Elora |publisher=Centre Wellington Hydro |access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref>

=== Elora Mill === The extant five-storey Elora grist mill was built in 1832 and, over its history, housed a sawmill, distillery, and flour mill. In the 1970s, it became the Elora Mill Inn, which closed in 2010. Plans were submitted to convert the building to condominiums and a hotel,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eloramill.ca/restore |title=Restore: The Story of Elora Mill |website=Eloramill.ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002092451/https://eloramill.ca/restore |archive-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> and in 2017 a report stated "Elora Mill Inn and Spa, a $120 million project expected to bring a world class resort and 250 jobs to the area when it opens in Spring 2018.<ref name="torontosun1">{{cite news|author=Martin Slofstra |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2017/02/13/fergus-builds-on-its-small-town-appeal |title=Fergus builds on its small-town appeal |newspaper=[[Toronto Sun]]|date=February 13, 2017 |access-date=December 30, 2017}}</ref> Following a $27 million renovation, the Elora Mill Hotel and Spa, owned by Pearle Hospitality, opened in July 2018, employing 170 people and featuring 30 rooms and a restaurant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westofthecity.com/getaways/elora-mill-hotel-spa/ |title=Getaways Elora Mill Hotel & Spa|website=West of the City |date=15 July 2019 |access-date=6 April 2020}}</ref> Construction of the condominium section of the property was to begin in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/new-look-elora-inn-spa-helps-revitalize-the-village-1152692 |title=New look Elora Inn & Spa helps revitalize the village |website=Guelph Today |date=December 26, 2018 |access-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref>

In February 2020, the property was awarded a Heritage Recognition Award by Heritage Centre Wellington.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/new-look-elora-inn-spa-helps-revitalize-the-village-1152692 |title=Three Centre Wellington properties given Heritage Recognition Awards |website=Guelph Today |date=February 23, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref>

=== David Street (Irvine Creek) bridge ===

{{Infobox bridge |bridge_name = David Street Bridge |native_name = |native_name_lang = |image = |image_size = |alt = |caption = |official_name = |other_name = |carries = traffic along David Street West |crosses = [[Irvine Creek (Ontario)|Irvine Creek]] |locale = |maint = |id = |designer = |design = |material = concrete |spans = 1 |pierswater = |mainspan = |length = |width = |height = |load = |clearance = |below = |traffic = |builder = |begin = |complete = |open = 2004 |life = |preceded = |followed = |heritage = |collapsed = |closed = |toll = }}

In 2002, the Township of Centre Wellington announced that, for safety reasons, it would demolish the historically significant David Street Bridge over Irvine Creek. The structure and its pier had been built in 1868 by Charles Lawrence, a stonemason. The structure was "the first cantilever bridge in North America". (A more modest earlier bridge had been built over the Irvine Creek in 1848.) It is described as one of the few remaining open-spandrel concrete arch bridges and is listed in the Ontario Heritage Bridge Program.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grandriver.ca/en/our-watershed/resources/Documents/CHRS/CHRS_2004_BridgeInventory.pdf |title=Grand Old Bridges: The Grand River Watershed Bridge Inventory |website=Grandriver.ca |page=12 |access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ylm.ca/ylm/ylm_comp_detail.aspx?comp_id=593075&name=David+Street+Bridge&f=centrewellington |title=David Street Bridge - Elora, ON |publisher=Township of Centre Wellington |access-date=December 30, 2017}}</ref> Concerned about the preservation of Elora's culturally significant architecture, the group [[Elora Heritage]] was founded. They received over 1,000 names on a petition. They met with representatives from the town council as well as the provincial and federal governments.

It became apparent that the bridge was beyond preservation; however, the council agreed to preserve the pier and build a replica bridge in 2004. The project presented numerous engineering challenges, but was completed. The current structure is similar to the 1921 bridge; the 1867 stone pier was retained as had been planned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.attractionscanada.com/Ontario/Wellington/Irvine-Street-Bridge-Elora-ON/default.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312062901/https://www.attractionscanada.com/Ontario/Wellington/Irvine-Street-Bridge-Elora-ON/default.asp |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |title=Irvine Street Bridge - Elora, ON |website=Attractionscanada.com}}</ref>

====Victoria Street Bridge====

{{Infobox bridge |bridge_name = Victoria Street Bridge |native_name = |native_name_lang = |image = |image_size = |alt = |caption = |official_name = |other_name = |carries = pedestrian traffic west of Metcalfe Street |crosses = [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]] |locale = |maint = |id = |designer = |design = |material = concrete |spans = 1 |pierswater = |mainspan = |length = {{convert|62.7|m|ft}} |width = |height = |load = |clearance = |below = |traffic = |builder = |begin = |complete = |open = Late 2019 |life = |preceded = |followed = |heritage = |collapsed = |closed = |toll = }} [[File:Elora Victoria Pedestrian Bridge 2020.jpg|thumb|left|The new pedestrian bridge in 2020]] Most parts of another bridge over the river, known as the Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge, had been demolished years ago. Still, it was being rebuilt in 2019 as part of the downtown redevelopment.

The first Victoria Street Bridge over the Grand River was built in 1843, again in 1871, and lastly as a [[Truss bridge#Pratt truss|Pratt truss]] bridge in 1899. The latest structure, a non-truss [[Beam bridge|concrete beam]] pedestrian bridge with decorative railings and stone cladding mimicking an arch below, replaced the previous structure, which was demolished in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/eloras-victoria-street-bridge-was-replaced-in-1899/|title=Elora's Victoria Street bridge was replaced in 1899|date=September 27, 2018|website=Wellington Advertiser}}</ref> Named for Jack R. MacDonald, the new bridge opened in November 2019 and allows for increased pedestrian access into the core.!<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/jack-r-macdonald-pedestrian-bridge-officially-opens/|title=Jack R. MacDonald pedestrian bridge officially opens|first=Jaime|last=Myslik|date=November 22, 2019|website=Wellington Advertiser}}</ref>

====Metcalfe Badley Bridge====

{{Infobox bridge |bridge_name = Metcalfe (Badley) Street Bridge |native_name = |native_name_lang = |image = |image_size = |alt = |caption = |official_name = |other_name = |carries = traffic along Metcalfe Street |crosses = [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]] |locale = |maint = |id = |designer = |design = |material = steel and concrete |spans = 1 |pierswater = |mainspan = |length = {{convert|71.93|m|ft}} |width = {{convert|7.32|m|ft}} |height = |load = |clearance = |below = |traffic = |builder = A.H. MacLellan and [[Hamilton Bridge Company]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=ontario/elorametcalfe/|title=Badley Bridge (Metcalfe Street Bridge) - HistoricBridges.org|website=historicbridges.org}}</ref> |begin = 1952 |complete = 1953 |open = 1953 |life = |preceded = |followed = |heritage = |collapsed = |closed = |toll = }}

The Metcalfe Street (Badley) Bridge (c. 1952-1953) is the main vehicular bridge with direct access into town. The [[Truss bridge#Warren truss|Parker Through truss]] bridge has been assessed as being in a poor state and would be closed for repairs or replacement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wellington County Badley Bridge Replacement/Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment (EA) Study |url=https://www.wellington.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Badley_Bridge_Documents/Badley_Bridge_PIC1_Exhibits_QC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731010936/https://www.wellington.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Badley_Bridge_Documents/Badley_Bridge_PIC1_Exhibits_QC.pdf |archive-date=July 31, 2016 |website=wellington.ca}}</ref> The new bridge will not be a truss bridge to accommodate vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wellington.ca/en/Badley-Bridge.aspx#What-is-the-condition-of-the-Badley-Bridge | title=Badley Bridge Environmental Assessment - Roads | date=November 28, 2019 }}</ref> The scope of the Victoria St. project was described as:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.connectcw.ca/Victoria-Street-Pedestrian-Bridge |title=Victoria Street Pedestrian Bridge & West Mill Street Improvements |publisher=Township of Centre Wellington |website=ConnectCW.ca |access-date=July 25, 2019}}</ref><blockquote>Construction of the bridge deck concrete topping and side curbs, masonry pilasters, steel framing and arched masonry stone side skirts along the bridge, steel railings, electrical, lighting and the finished piazza concrete slab, retaining wall, storm sewer extension and planting beds.</blockquote>

A report in April 2020 indicated that benefits included "wider traffic lanes and sidewalks, two new bike lanes, an expanded observation deck, enhanced lighting, limestone gateway piers".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/wellington-county/eloras-badley-bridge-still-expected-to-be-finished-this-year-2222910|title=Elora's Badley Bridge still expected to be finished this year|website=GuelphToday.com|date=April 4, 2020 }}</ref> The reconstructed bridge opened on 18 December 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/wellington-county/elora-reconnected-as-badley-bridge-reopens-to-traffic-6-photos-3197126 |title=Elora reconnected as Badley Bridge reopens to traffic |date=December 19, 2020 |publisher=Guelph Today |accessdate=19 December 2020}}</ref>

=== From "poorhouse" to museum === In 1877, the County opened the Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge, or [[Poorhouse]] as it was called, on Wellington Road 18 between Fergus and Elora. Over the years, approximately 1500 "deserving" poor, including those who were destitute, old and infirm, or suffering from disabilities, were housed here. The sixty-bed house for "inmates" was surrounded by a 30-acre "industrial" farm with a barn for livestock that produced some of the food for the 70 residents and the staff, and also provided work for them. Others worked in the House itself. According to a 2009 report by the [[Toronto Star]], "pauperism was considered a moral failing that could be erased through order and hard work". A hospital was added in 1892. A nearby cemetery has 271 plots for those who died. In 1947 the House was converted into the Wellington County Home for the Aged and in 1975 the building reopened as the Wellington County Museum and Archives.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2009/01/03/when_poorhouse_wasnt_only_an_expression.html |title=When 'poorhouse' wasn't only an expression |publisher=The Toronto Star|date=January 3, 2009 |first=Tracey |last=Tyler |access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/resources/handout_barn_2014_trifold.pdf |title=The Bank Barn and the Industrial Farm |publisher=Wellington County Museum and Archives |access-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225112354/https://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/resources/handout_barn_2014_trifold.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thespec.com/community-story/6754115-meet-the-ghosts-of-wellington-county-s-poor-house-in-elora/ |title=Meet the ghosts of Wellington County's Poor House in Elora |date=July 5, 2016 |work=The [[Hamilton Spectator]] |publisher=Metroland Media Group Ltd |access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref>

A historic plaque was erected at the museum, indicating that the "government-supported poorhouse" was "the shelter of last resort for the homeless and destitute, who traded spartan accommodations for domestic or agricultural labour".<ref name="WCHIR">{{cite web |title=The Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Wellington36.html |website=OntarioPlaques.com |publisher=Alan L. Brown |access-date=July 25, 2019}}</ref>

==Raceway and slots controversy==

In 2000, a proposal was made to build a standardbred horse racing track with slot machines in Elora, creating the [[Grand River Raceway]]. The plan became the subject of much debate. The [[Centre Wellington Citizens Coalition]] was formed in opposition to the race track, primarily because of the inclusion of gambling facilities. The township council voted 4–3 to approve the opening. It ended in a 3–3 tie, and the mayor at the time voted in favour. The Grand River Raceway eventually opened in Elora in 2002, with Slots At Grand River Raceway offering 200 [[slot machine]]s operated by the [[Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation]] (OLG).

Grand River Raceway is owned and operated by the Grand River Agricultural Society (G.R.A.S.), a not-for-profit corporation, incorporated under the Agricultural Societies Act of Ontario and operated by a volunteer board of directors. The Society operates the racetrack and other facilities. It leases space to the OLG for the slot machines; the OLG is the operator and employer for the slot operation.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Grand River Raceway |url=http://grandriverraceway.com/about/ |title=About Us |access-date=December 30, 2017}}</ref> In 2009, the business paid $1.6 million in taxes, and the OLG paid the Township an additional $1.78 million, being a share of the profits.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Racinos in Rural Canada: Economic Impacts of the Grand River Raceway on Elora, Ontario, Canada |url=http://journals.brandonu.ca/jrcd/article/view/536 |first1=Meghan |last1=Shannon |first2=Clare J. A. |last2=Mitchell |date=December 29, 2011 |journal=Journal of Rural and Community Development |volume=6|issue=2|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref>

A plan for substantial expansion, approved by the Township Council in February 2017, will include gaming tables (up to 52) and many additional slot machines (up to 1,200 in total). Some councillors were strongly opposed to the plan. The rationale for the majority decision was the revenue benefit; since the slots opened, the Township has received over $22 million from the currently small operation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Mike |title=Centre Wellington Council Votes 4-3 in Favour of Potential Grand River Raceway Expansion |url=https://wellingtonadvertiser.com/comments/index.cfm?articleID=34700 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312071248/https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/comments/index.cfm?articleID=34700 | newspaper=Wellington Advertiser |location=Guelph |archive-date=March 12, 2017}}</ref>

==Tourism== [[Image:Davidstreetbridge.JPG|thumb|One of Elora's many tourist attractions, the gorge also has the architecturally significant David St. Bridge; it was saved from destruction by active citizens.]] [[File:Elora Gorge Conservation Area- Elora Gorge and Grand River- Elora-Ontario (3).jpg|thumb|Tubing in Elora Gorge Conservation Area]] Many tourists visit Elora on day trips, drawn by the town's historic character or the Grand River Raceway, which hosts horse racing and slot machines. It has many small shops, pubs, cafés, restaurants, and [[Art gallery|art galleries]]. These are often in buildings built in the mid-19th century. The Gorge Cinema is Canada's oldest continuously running repertory theatre.<ref name="elora1">{{cite web |url=http://elora.info/things-to-do/ |title=Things To Do |publisher=Elora Ontario BIA |website=Elora.info |access-date=December 30, 2017 |archive-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229071833/http://elora.info/things-to-do |url-status=dead }}</ref> The annual Elora Festival & Singers event is particularly popular.

The [[Elora Gorge]] and its Conservation Area are at the edge of town. The park offers canoeing, paddleboat rentals, hiking, campgrounds, fishing, and picnicking.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Elora-Gorge.aspx |title=Elora Gorge |publisher=Grand River Conservation Authority |access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> Some of the limestone cliffs are 12 metres (40 feet) high. At the eastern end of the village is the Elora Quarry Conservation Area, a scenic former [[limestone]] [[quarry]], which is now a popular swimming area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Elora-Quarry.aspx |title=Elora Quarry |publisher=Grand River Conservation Authority |access-date=December 30, 2017}}</ref>

[[Image:Elora Ontario 2013 p3.jpg|thumb|Restored buildings on Mill St. (shops and restaurants) line the Grand River in the downtown area.]]

In 2001, a group of citizens organized an arts and cultural centre, the Elora Centre for the Arts, at the site of a century-old school whose headmaster, at one time, was David Boyle, well known as an educator in the late 1800s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eloracentreforthearts.ca/about/history-of-building/ |title=History of Building |publisher=Elora Centre for the Arts |website=Eloracentreforthearts.ca |access-date=December 30, 2017}}</ref>

The township of Centre Wellington has an active historical society and operates the Wellington County Museum and Archives in a historic stone building in Aboyne, halfway between Elora and [[Fergus, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/mus-visit-us.aspx |title=Visit Us |publisher=Wellington County Museum and Archives|access-date=July 25, 2019}}</ref> This two-storey [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]]-style stone building was the oldest known state-supported [[poorhouse]] or [[almshouse]] in Canada, called the House of Industry and Refuge when it opened in 1877. The museum opened in 1975, and the building was designated a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]] in 1995.<ref>{{CRHP|7691|Wellington County House of Industry and Refuge}}</ref><ref name="WCHIR"/>

==Climate== Elora has a [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfb'') under the [[Köppen climate classification]] with cold winters and warm summers. {{Weather box |location = Fergus (1981−2010) |metric first = Y |single line = Y |Jan record high C = 15.6 |Feb record high C = 12.0 |Mar record high C = 23.9 |Apr record high C = 29.0 |May record high C = 32.0 |Jun record high C = 34.0 |Jul record high C = 35.5 |Aug record high C = 35.0 |Sep record high C = 35.0 |Oct record high C = 28.9 |Nov record high C = 24.4 |Dec record high C = 17.5 |year record high C = 35.5 |Jan high C = −3.6 |Feb high C = −2.1 |Mar high C = 2.6 |Apr high C = 10.4 |May high C = 17.5 |Jun high C = 22.8 |Jul high C = 25.2 |Aug high C = 24.2 |Sep high C = 19.8 |Oct high C = 12.7 |Nov high C = 5.4 |Dec high C = -0.7 |year high C = 11.2 |Jan mean C = −7.4 |Feb mean C = −6.3 |Mar mean C = −1.9 |Apr mean C = 5.7 |May mean C = 12.2 |Jun mean C = 17.5 |Jul mean C = 20.0 |Aug mean C = 19.0 |Sep mean C = 14.9 |Oct mean C = 8.3 |Nov mean C = 2.1 |Dec mean C = −3.9 |year mean C = 6.7 |Jan low C = −11.1 |Feb low C = −10.5 |Mar low C = −6.5 |Apr low C = 0.9 |May low C = 6.9 |Jun low C = 12.2 |Jul low C = 14.7 |Aug low C = 13.8 |Sep low C = 9.9 |Oct low C = 3.9 |Nov low C = −1.2 |Dec low C = −7.1 |year low C = 2.2 |Jan record low C = −35.0 |Feb record low C = −32.8 |Mar record low C = −31.7 |Apr record low C = −18.9 |May record low C = −6.1 |Jun record low C = -0.6 |Jul record low C = 2.2 |Aug record low C = -0.6 |Sep record low C = −5.0 |Oct record low C = −11.7 |Nov record low C = −18.3 |Dec record low C = −34.4 |year record low C = −35.0 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 67.9 |Feb precipitation mm = 55.9 |Mar precipitation mm = 59.6 |Apr precipitation mm = 74.1 |May precipitation mm = 86.9 |Jun precipitation mm = 83.8 |Jul precipitation mm = 89.2 |Aug precipitation mm = 96.6 |Sep precipitation mm = 93.1 |Oct precipitation mm = 77.2 |Nov precipitation mm = 93.0 |Dec precipitation mm = 68.6 |year precipitation mm = 945.7 |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 27.8 |Feb rain mm = 25.3 |Mar rain mm = 36.7 |Apr rain mm = 67.9 |May rain mm = 86.8 |Jun rain mm = 83.8 |Jul rain mm = 89.2 |Aug rain mm = 96.6 |Sep rain mm = 93.1 |Oct rain mm = 75.6 |Nov rain mm = 80.5 |Dec rain mm = 34.7 |year rain mm = 797.8 |snow colour = green |Jan snow cm = 40.1 |Feb snow cm = 30.6 |Mar snow cm = 22.9 |Apr snow cm = 6.2 |May snow cm = 0.1 |Jun snow cm = 0.0 |Jul snow cm = 0.0 |Aug snow cm = 0.0 |Sep snow cm = 0.0 |Oct snow cm = 1.6 |Nov snow cm = 12.5 |Dec snow cm = 33.9 |year snow cm = 147.8

|precip days colour = green |unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm |Jan precipitation days = 19.7 |Feb precipitation days = 14.9 |Mar precipitation days = 14.0 |Apr precipitation days = 14.6 |May precipitation days = 14.4 |Jun precipitation days = 12.0 |Jul precipitation days = 11.5 |Aug precipitation days = 12.4 |Sep precipitation days = 13.9 |Oct precipitation days = 16.5 |Nov precipitation days = 17.4 |Dec precipitation days = 18.3 |year precipitation days = 179.5 |unit rain days = 0.2 mm |Jan rain days = 4.7 |Feb rain days = 4.5 |Mar rain days = 7.4 |Apr rain days = 12.9 |May rain days = 14.3 |Jun rain days = 12.0 |Jul rain days = 11.5 |Aug rain days = 12.4 |Sep rain days = 13.9 |Oct rain days = 16.3 |Nov rain days = 13.1 |Dec rain days = 6.8 |year rain days = 129.7 |unit snow days = 0.2 cm |Jan snow days = 16.5 |Feb snow days = 11.8 |Mar snow days = 8.2 |Apr snow days = 2.8 |May snow days = 0.15 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.73 |Nov snow days = 5.6 |Dec snow days = 13.2 |year snow days = 59.0 |source 1 = Environment Canada<ref name="CCN">{{cite web | publisher = [[Environment Canada]] | url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=4760&lang=e&dCode=1&province=ONT&provBut=Go&month1=0&month2=12 | title = Fergus Shand Dam, Ontario | work = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 | date=October 31, 2011 | access-date = April 9, 2014}}</ref> |date=September 2012 }}

==Geography== Elora is situated on the [[Grand River (Ontario)|Grand River]], approximately {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} north of [[Guelph]], and {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}} northeast of [[Waterloo, Ontario|Kitchener-Waterloo]].

==Demographics== The [[Canada 2001 Census]] was the last Canadian census to record Elora as a separate community. In the [[Canada 2006 Census]], demographic statistics were published only for Centre Wellington.

According to the [[Canada 2001 Census]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Index.cfm?Lang=E|title=2001 Community Profiles|work=Statistics Canada|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=2010-09-10|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127012906/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Index.cfm?Lang=E|url-status=dead}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="margin-left:2em" |- || Population: || 3,796 (+13.4% from 1996) |- || Land area: || 3.54 km2 |- || Population density: || 1,072.3 people/km2 |- || Median age: || 39.1 (males: 37.4, females: 39.1) |- || Total private dwellings: || 1,447 |- || Mean household income: || $29,473 |}

Data extrapolated from the 2011 Canada Census indicates that Elora had a population of about 7,756 at the time.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

No data for this community were available in the 2016 census, but the population of the entire Centre Wellington Township was 28,191, including Fergus, which had a population of 20,767 at that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3523025&Geo2=POPC&Code2=0009&Data=Count&SearchText=Alma&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&wbdisable=true|title= Census Profile, 2016 Census: Centre Wellington, Township |publisher=Statistics Canada|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0278&Geo2=PR&Code2=47&Data=Count&SearchText=Fergus&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=0278&TABID=1&wbdisable=true |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census: Fergus, Ontario |publisher=Statistics Canada|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref>

==Local government== The Centre Wellington Township council includes a Mayor (Shawn Watters) and six councillors. Three of the latter live in Fergus, while one lives in Elora.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor and Council |url=https://www.centrewellington.ca/en/township-services/mayor-and-council.aspx |publisher=Township of Centre Wellington |access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref> The Township is also represented on the County of Wellington Council, which comprises seven mayors and nine councillors.

==Economy== Centre Wellington is heavily agricultural but also home to industries, manufacturers, retailers, health care services, and tradespeople. The local economy also benefits greatly from tourism.<ref>{{cite web |title=Economic Development |url=https://www.centrewellington.ca/en/doing-business/economic-development.aspx |publisher=Township of Centre Wellington |access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref> Data is not available for Elora alone but at the time of the 2011 Census, 6.4% of the workforce of Centre Wellington was involved in agriculture and other resource-based industries/utilities, 24.8% in manufacturing and construction, 19.8% in health and education and 13.2% in wholesale and retail trade. The top three categories for employment (in order of importance) were manufacturing, Healthcare, and Agriculture. The major employers in the township include Jefferson Elora Corp., Nexans Canada, Polycorp Ltd., Groves Memorial Hospital, Wellington Terrace, and PR Donnelly.

Centre Wellington encourages the filming of movies and TV shows; quite a few productions have taken advantage of the historic look of Fergus, and especially Elora, for location work.<ref name="centrewellington1">{{cite web|url=http://www.centrewellington.ca/visitus/Pages/Media%20Centre/Filming-in-Centre-Wellington.aspx |title=Filming in Centre Wellington |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701222818/http://www.centrewellington.ca/visitus/Pages/Media%20Centre/Filming-in-Centre-Wellington.aspx |archive-date=July 1, 2016}}</ref> In 2016, parts of the 10-part miniseries, ''Canada: The Story of Us'', were filmed in Elora which was a stand-in for scenes of WW II skirmishes in Holland and France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wellingtonadvertiser.com/comments/index.cfm?articleID=31941 |title=Elora set part of filming of Canada: The Story of Us |website=Wellingtonadvertiser.com |date=July 22, 2016 |first=Mike |last=Robinson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313042708/https://wellingtonadvertiser.com/comments/index.cfm?articleID=31941 |archive-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref>

The Elora Quarry was used to film a couple of scenes in the movie ''[[Angel Eyes (film)|Angel Eyes]]'', and for a scene for the 2017 movie ''[[It (2017 film)|It]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7545359-local-landmarks-shine-on-the-big-screen-in-it-/ |title=Local landmarks shine on the big screen in 'It' |first=Ian |last=Hunter |date=September 8, 2017|publisher=Metroland Media Group |work=Waterloo Region Record |access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> The Elora Quarry and nearby [[West Montrose Covered Bridge]] were also featured in ''It''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1396484/locations|title=It (2017)|access-date=November 30, 2018|website=IMDb.com}}</ref> Parts of the Grand River in both Elora and Fergus were the site for some of the scenes filmed for the 1994 movie ''[[Trapped in Paradise]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111477/locations |title=Trapped in Paradise (1994)|access-date=November 30, 2018|website=IMDb.com}}</ref> Other productions have also done filming in Elora, including the 1979 TV movie, ''An American Christmas Carol''{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}'',''According to Centre Wellington, Elora or Fergus was also featured in: [[Lars and the Real Girl]] (2007), [[Dead Silence]] (2007) and [[Mrs. Soffel]] (1984).<ref name="centrewellington1"/>

==Sports== [[File:Jefferson Elora Community Centre - Elora, ON.jpg|thumb|An Elora Mohawks game in 2024.]] Elora has a very active lawn bowling club that offers programs for all ages. The Elora Rocks Lawn Bowling Club is a member of [http://sites.google.com/site/testofskillsite District 7] of the Ontario Lawn Bowling Association, and more information about the club may be found on the District website.

Elora is also home to the [[Elora Mohawks]] lacrosse team, the [[Elora Rocks]] hockey team.

At the community level, Elora also has a skating club, a curling club, a girls' hockey team (Grand River Mustangs), a minor hockey team (Centre Wellington Fusion), soccer (Fergus-Elora District Soccer), a ringette team, and a few baseball teams, as well as several other sports clubs and organizations.

==Notable people== ===Actors=== *[[Colin Fox (actor)|Colin Fox]] (1938 – 2025), known for his role as Professor Anton Hedricks in ''[[PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal]].'' *[[Sitara Hewitt]] (1981 – ), known for her role of Rayyan Hamoudi in ''[[Little Mosque on the Prairie]].'' *[[Chris Wiggins]] (1931 – 2017), known for his role as Jack Marshak in ''[[Friday the 13th: The Series]].''

===Athletes=== *[[Kasey Beirnes]] (1980 – ), professional [[lacrosse]] player for the [[Columbus Landsharks]], [[Arizona Sting]], [[Minnesota Swarm]] and [[Toronto Rock]] of the [[National Lacrosse League]] *[[Myrtle Cook]] (1902 – 1985), athlete, won a gold medal in the women's 4 x 100 metres at the [[1928 Summer Olympics]] *[[Dane Dobbie]] (1986 – ), professional [[lacrosse]] player for the [[Calgary Roughnecks]] and [[San Diego Seals]] of the [[National Lacrosse League]], won [[National Lacrosse League MVP Award|NLL MVP Award]] in 2019 *[[Shane MacDonald]] (1993 – ), professional [[lacrosse]] player for the [[Minnesota Swarm]] of the [[National Lacrosse League]] *[[Eddie Powers]] (1888 – 1943), professional [[ice hockey]] player in the [[American Hockey League]] and professional [[ice hockey]] head coach with the [[Toronto St. Patricks]] of the [[National Hockey League]] *[[David Robson (footballer, born 2002)|David Robson]] (2002 – ), professional [[soccer]] goalkeeper with [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] of the [[EFL Championship]] *[[Dave Rowan]] (1882 – 1955), professional [[baseball]] player with the [[St. Louis Browns]] of [[Major League Baseball]] *[[Cooney Woods]] (1899 – 1992), [[ice hockey]] goaltender who won a gold medal at the [[1934 World Ice Hockey Championships]] with [[Canada]]

===Doctors=== *[[Charles Kirk Clarke]] (1857 – 1924), psychiatrist, [[Clarke Institute of Psychiatry]] named in his honour *[[Abraham Groves]] (1847 – 1935), physician and surgeon, [[Groves Memorial Community Hospital]] in [[Fergus, Ontario|Fergus]] is named in his honour *[[Mary Rutnam]] (1873 – 1962), doctor, gynecologist, suffragist, and pioneer of women's rights in [[Sri Lanka]]

===Educators=== *[[Brendan Myers]] (1974 – ), known for his contributions in [[environmental philosophy]]

===Explorers=== *[[John McLean (explorer)|John McLean]] (1799 – 1890), first person of European descent to discover [[Churchill Falls]]

===Historians=== *[[David Boyle (archaeologist)|David Boyle]] (1842 – 1911), archaeologist, blacksmith, teacher, musicologist, historian, curator of the [[Royal Canadian Institute|Canadian Institute Museum]] from 1884 – 1896 *[[Terry Copp]] (1938 – ), military historian, appointed to the [[Order of Canada]] in 2024

===Journalists=== *[[Fred Jacob]] (1882 – 1928), journalist with ''[[The Mail and Empire]]'' from 1910 – 1928 *[[Alexander Fraser Pirie]] (1849 – 1903), newspaper editor and publisher of ''[[Guelph Mercury|The Guelph Herald]]'' from 1870 – 1903 *[[George Pirie (publisher)|George Pirie]] (1799 – 1870), newspaper publisher of ''[[Guelph Mercury|The Guelph Herald]]'' from 1848 – 1870

===Lawyers=== *[[David Fasken]] (1860 – 1929), acquired 226,000 acres in [[Texas]] in 1913 in what would later be called [[Fasken, Texas]]

===Musicians=== *[[John Beckwith (composer)|John Beckwith]] (1927 – 2022), composer, writer, pianist, teacher, and administrator, was made a member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1987 *[[Noel Edison]] (1958 – ), conductor of The Edison Singers, member of the [[Order of Ontario]] in 2009

===Painters=== *[[Farquhar McGillivray Knowles]] (1859 – 1932), best known for his paintings of seascapes

===Politicians=== *[[Absalom Shade Allan]] (1843 – 1928), member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 1886 – 1894 *[[George S. Armstrong]] (1867 – 1947), 11th [[Mayor of Edmonton]] from 1910 – 1912 *[[Brenda Chamberlain (politician)|Brenda Chamberlain]] (1952 – ), member of the [[House of Commons of Canada]] from 1993 – 2008 *[[Michael Chong]] (1971 – ), member of the [[House of Commons of Canada]] since 2004 *[[Charles Clarke (Canadian politician)|Charles Clarke]] (1826 – 1909), 5th [[Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 1880 – 1887 *[[George Alexander Drew (Liberal-Conservative MP)|George Alexander Drew]] (1826 – 1891), member of the [[House of Commons of Canada]] from 1867 – 1872 and from 1878 – 1882 *[[George Alexander Drew]] (1894 – 1973), 14th [[Premier of Ontario]] from 1957 – 1963 *[[Albert Ewing]] (1871 – 1946), member of [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta]] from 1913 – 1921 and appointed as a judge to the [[Supreme Court of Alberta]] in 1934 *[[Alexander David Ferrier]] (1813 – 1890), member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 1867 – 1871 *[[John Grant (Canadian politician)|John Grant]] (1841 – 1919), 20th Mayor of [[List of mayors of Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] from 1887 – 1891 *[[Wilbert Hagarty]] (1888 – 1963), member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan]] from 1921 – 1929 *[[John McGowan (politician)|John McGowan]] (1845 – 1922), member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 1874 – 1879 and member of the [[House of Commons of Canada]] from 1901 – 1904 *[[Udney Richardson]] (1869 – 1943), member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 1911 – 1919 *[[John Duff Robertson]] (1873 – 1939), member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan]] from 1908 – 1917 *[[William Short (Alberta politician)|William Short]] (1866 – 1926), 7th [[Mayor of Edmonton]] from 1901 – 1904 and 1912 – 1913 *[[John Smith (Manitoba politician)|John Smith]] (1817 – 1889), member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Manitoba]] from 1879 – 1883 *[[Robert Watson (Canadian politician)|Robert Watson]] (1853 – 1929), member of the [[Senate of Canada]] from 1900 – 1929

==See also== {{Portal|Ontario}} * [[List of unincorporated communities in Ontario]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Bibliography== *Carter, Floreen Ellen, ''Place Names of Ontario'', London, Ontario, Phelps Publishing, 1984, {{ISBN|9780920298398}}

==External links== {{commons category|Elora, Ontario}} * [http://www.centrewellington.ca/ Township of Centre Wellington]

{{Coord|43|41|6|N|80|25|38|W|region:CA_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki|display=title}}

{{Adjacent communities | Northwest = [[Alma, Ontario|Alma]] | North = [[Arthur, Ontario|Arthur]], [[Salem, Wellington County|Salem]] | Northeast = [[Belwood, Ontario|Belwood]] | West = [[Conestogo Lake Conservation Area]] | Centre = Elora, Ontario | East = [[Fergus, Ontario|Fergus]] | Southwest = [[Woolwich, Ontario|Woolwich]] [[St. Jacobs, Ontario|St. Jacobs]] | South = [[Conestogo, Ontario|Conestogo]] '''[[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]]''' '''[[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]]''' | Southeast = '''[[Guelph]]''' | image = }}

[[Category:Former villages in Ontario]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1832]] [[Category:Communities in Centre Wellington]] [[Category:Populated places on the Grand River (Ontario)]] [[Category:1832 establishments in Upper Canada]] [[Category:Populated places disestablished in 1999]]