Walsh, Ontario

{{short description|Community of Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Walsh, Ontario |settlement_type = Unincorporated Hamlet in Norfolk County |other_name = |native_name =  |nickname = |motto = |image_skyline = CharlottevilleHall2.jpg |imagesize = |image_caption = Charlotteville Community Hall erected in 1868 |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = Canada Ontario |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = Location of Walsh in [[Ontario]] |pushpin_mapsize = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{CAN}} |subdivision_type1 = [[List of Canadian Provinces|Province]] |subdivision_name1 = {{ON}} |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = |government_type = |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Kristal Chopp |leader_title1 = Governing Body |leader_name1 = The Council of The Corporation of Norfolk County |leader_title2 = [[House of Commons of Canada|MPs]] |leader_name2 = [[Diane Finley]] ([[Conservative Party of Canada|Con]]) |leader_title3 = [[Legislative Assembly|MPPs]] |leader_name3 = [[Toby Barrett]] ([[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|PC]]) |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = Established |established_date = 1850 as Charlotteville Centre |established_title2 = |established_date2 = 1974 (Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk) |established_title3 = Amalgamated into Norfolk County |established_date3 = 2001 (Single-tier municipality) |area_magnitude = |unit_pref =  |area_footnotes = <ref name=SC06>{{cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3532042&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Woodstock&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |title=Woodstock community profile |publisher=Statistics Canada |work=[[Canada 2006 Census|2006 Census data]] |access-date=2011-02-09}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |area_water_percent = |population_as_of = |timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]] |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] |utc_offset_DST = -4 |coordinates = {{coord|42|45|51|N|80|23|17|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}} |elevation_footnotes =  |elevation_m = 224 |postal_code_type = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]] |postal_code = [[List of N postal codes of Canada|N3Y 4K1]] |area_codes = [[Area codes 519 and 226|519 and 226]] |website = [http://www.norfolkcounty.ca/ www.norfolkcounty.ca] |footnotes = }}

'''Walsh''' (formerly known as '''Charlotteville Centre''') is a medium-sized [[Hamlet (place)|hamlet]] in Norfolk County, [[Ontario]], Canada.

==Summary== '''Walsh''' developed as a township central crossroads gathering point on Young's Creek, in the first quarter of the 19th century. A number of service businesses have come and gone over the years, as road quality improved and practical travel distances increased. No commercial business are remaining in the community, although Walsh is home to two elementary schools, two Christian churches, the township community hall that hosts an annual fall fair and the operating headquarters of a major regional transportation company.

Walsh is located near [[stream]]s, [[valley]]s, [[conservation area]]s, and [[bay]]s.<ref name="travelingluck"/> Notable attractions within a reasonable driving distance of Walsh include the [[Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show]], Turkey Point Beach, [[Lake Erie]], and various rural cemeteries.<ref name="travelingluck"/> During the fall months, [[pumpkin]]s become abundant in the area - especially the rare "dwarf albino" pumpkin.<ref name="travelingluck"/> [[American Robin|Robin]]s can be seen strutting through the local gardens for all 12 months of the year.<ref name="travelingluck"/> Along the Turkey Point Road, tobacco kilns can be seen in threesomes.<ref name="travelingluck"/> During the 19th and early 20th centuries, a [[wholesaler]] was once stationed here. It had become a private residence by the early 1990s.

[[File:ColwellWalshOntarioGeneralStore.jpg|250px|right|thumb|This is the Walsh General Store, owned and operated by Mr. Colwell, as seen in the 1950s.]]

A local [[businessperson|businessman]] by the name of Bruce R. Smith starting hauling [[dairy]] products out of his trucking business in Walsh starting back in 1947.<ref name="brucesmith">[http://www.brsmith.com/index.php?id=90 ''About us''] at BRSmith.com, accessed 19 February 2012</ref> His son, John, took over the business in the mid-1970s and expanded the business and slowly recruited the help of 230 [[power unit]]s and 750 [[semi-trailer truck]]s delivering goods throughout [[Quebec]], [[Ontario]], and the [[United States]] over the decades.<ref name="brucesmith"/> Food products in addition to [[steel]] from the [[Stelco Lake Erie Works]] greenfield steel mill are delivered with the help of [[global positioning system]]s and a computerized dispatch system that allows for networking over a wide area.<ref name="brucesmith"/> As of 2012, there are 350 rank-and-file employees in addition to 210 professional operators and 50 operators that own their own vehicles.<ref name="brucesmith"/>

Most people get their television either through [[Shaw Direct]], [[Bell Satellite TV]] or [[terrestrial television|over-the-air]]. Two channels ([[CIII-DT]] and [[CITY-DT]]) can be picked up reliably using an outdoor antenna while an additional three channels ([[WNYB-DT]], [[CICO-DT]], and [[CKCO-DT]]) can be picked up semi-reliably. There are at least 12 channels that can be picked up over-the-air only during sunny days where clouds are absent.<ref>[http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3de6a4aeec5f7bb4 Over-the-air TV report for Walsh, Ontario] at TV Fool</ref>

===Education=== This community is home to two elementary schools: Walsh Public School (within the [[Grand Erie District School Board]]) and St. Michael's Catholic Elementary School (administered by the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board).<ref name="St. Michael's">[http://nmic.bhncdsb.ca ''St. Michael’s School''] section on the [[Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board|BHNCDSB]] web site, accessed 18 February 2012</ref> During the peak of local population growth in the mid-19th century, 14 one-room and two-room schools were functioning within the Township of Charlotteville.

Walsh Area Public School was constructed in 1959 on an open-field site along the north side of St. John's Road, between the Turkey Point Road and Young's Creek. It opened in March 1960, a four-room school that culminated a five-year consolidation effort that merged four one- and two-room elementary schools within five miles of the village: Walsh, Tisdale, Elmwood and McKnight.<ref name="boughnerelizabeth">{{cite book |title = Tweedsmuir History of the Walsh Community, 1790-1965 |author = Boughner, Elizabeth |publisher = Walsh Women's Institute |year = 1967}}</ref> The guest of honour at the official opening in September 1960 was Education Minister and future Premier [[John Robarts]]. Expansion of the public school came in three phases over the next 15 years to achieve its current configuration. It also had its name shortened to Walsh Public School.

The children of Walsh Public School were involved in an attempt to break the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of Records]] for reading on January 26, 2009.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9sZST-pd3E ''Record-setting Reading attempt''] at [[YouTube]], accessed 8 May 2012</ref> A relaxation room (dubbed the ''Snoezelen'' Room from the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] words ''snufflen'' - to seek out - and ''doezelen'' - to snooze) has been installed on the premises to relax [[hyperactivity|hyperactive]] children in addition to children on the [[Autism spectrum|autistic spectrum]] who unintentionally disrupt their classes. They often return to their classroom after a few minutes of relaxation in this sensation-filled room without having to visit the principal for disciplinary measures. Soft music is constantly played in the room while children with special needs can either touch or hear calming sensations.<ref>[http://www.simcoereformer.ca/2012/11/22/snoezelen-room-offers-place-to-relax 'Snoezelen Room' offers place to relax] at The Simcoe Reformer, accessed 23 November 2012</ref> In September 2013, Walsh Public School started to provide an all-day kindergarten program.<ref>[http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/fulldaykindergartenschools.asp ''Full-day kindergarten''] at [[Ministry of Education (Ontario)|Ontario's Ministry of Education]], accessed 18 February 2012</ref>

The Grand Erie Board administers four secondary schools to which Walsh graduates can advance: [[Simcoe Composite School]], [[Port Dover Composite School]], [[Delhi District Secondary School]] and [[Valley Heights Secondary School]].

St. Michael's Elementary School was launched in the early 1950s, initially in the basement of St. Michael's Catholic Church next door. The current school was opened in January 1961 as a two-room school and subsequently has been expanded to the present structure. Graduates can advance preferentially to [[Holy Trinity Catholic High School (Simcoe)|Holy Trinity Catholic High School]] in Simcoe.

A local bursary; known as the '''''Charlotteville Bursary''''' has been traditionally awarded for secondary school graduates from the Walsh area as an incentive to attend either the college or university of their choice.

===Nearest communities=== Walsh is located near these major communities: [[Simcoe, Ontario|Simcoe]] - {{convert|14|km|mi}}, [[Delhi, Ontario|Delhi]] - {{convert|15|km|mi}}, [[Port Dover, Ontario|Port Dover]] - {{convert|18|km|mi}}, [[Tillsonburg, Ontario|Tillsonburg]] - {{convert|35|km|mi}}, [[Brantford, Ontario|Brantford]] - {{convert|56|km|mi}} and [[Woodstock, Ontario|Woodstock]] - {{convert|60|km|mi}}.

[[Mount Forest, Ontario|Mount Forest]] is located {{convert|54.8|km|mi|disp=or}} to the north of this community.<ref name="travelingluck">[http://travelingluck.com/North%20America/Canada/Ontario/_6175636_Walsh.html#local_map ''Walsh''] information at TravelingLuck.com, accessed 19 February 2012</ref> It is an unincorporated community located on the junction of Ontario Highways [[Ontario Highway 6|6]] and [[Ontario Highway 89|89]] in the [[township (Canada)|township]] of [[Wellington North, Ontario|Wellington North]].

===Places of worship=== The first Christian community established in Walsh was the Charlotteville [[Methodist Church of Canada|Methodist]] Church, constructed in 1856 and located 1.3 kilometres to the south. That community thrived through the [[Methodist Church of Canada#Merger with United Church|1925 merger that created the United Church of Canada]] and beyond but suffered badly from declining membership during the [[Great Depression]] and it ceased operation in the early 1940s. After being vacant for nearly 20 years, the building was demolished in 1962. A commemorative monument remains, in the northeast corner of the cemetery.

Two churches in the area continue to provide the spiritual and religious needs of the local residents: Walsh [[Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec|Baptist]] Church and St. Michael's Roman [[Roman Catholic Diocese of London, Ontario|Catholic]] Church.

Walsh Baptist Church was established in 1876 and has served a thriving community of worshippers since that time. During the first few decades of the 20th century, a close collaboration developed with the Charlotteville Methodist Church.<ref name="boughnerelizabeth"/> When the Walsh United Church dissolved early during the [[World War II|Second World War]], their remaining members were welcomed into the Baptist community. The Baptist church annex including Sunday school classrooms, church hall, kitchen, and washrooms was constructed during the winter of 1961–62.

The Walsh Baptist Church is led by Pastor Marc Bertrand; who has served the region since 2003.<ref>[http://www.christian-discipleship.com/churches-that-disciple-directory.html?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=5&sobi2Id=1 ''Walsh Baptist Church''] at Christian-Discipleship.com, accessed 18 February 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.sermoncentral.com/contributors/marc-bertrand-sermons-9000.asp?action=showinfo ''Pastor Marc Bertrand''] information at SermonCentral.com, accessed 18 February 2012</ref>

[[File:St. Michael Church - Walsh, ON.jpg|thumb|right|St. Michael's Catholic Church]] St. Michael's Catholic Church was established in 1947.<ref name="boughnerelizabeth"/> Although it functioned as a mission church of St. Cecilia's Parish in Port Dover in earlier years, St. Michael's is now under the care of the Sacred Heart Parish in Langton.<ref name="boughnerelizabeth"/>

Another church that survived for about 35 years was the independent Faith Baptist Church, which officially broke away from the congregation of the regular Baptist church in 1926. Located in a white frame building on the southeast corner of the main intersection, dwindling membership eventually forced the church to cease operations in the early 1960s. After several years of commercial usage, the building was demolished.

===Cemeteries=== The Walsh Baptist Cemetery is situated on a sheltered hilltop on the east side of the Turkey Point Road, {{convert|400|m|ft|disp=or}} north of the main intersection. It has the buried remains of at least 133 individuals or families. Common last names of people buried at the Walsh Baptist Cemetery include Atkinson, Bingleman, Bint, Bye, Cope, Ferris, Pepper, and Shepherd. The Walsh Baptist Cemetery is still functional as of 2020 and it was established around 1864.

Walsh's other cemetery is the Walsh United Church Cemetery. It has at least 533 individuals and/or families buried there. People buried there were typically born between the late-19th century to the mid-20th century. Common last names found at the Walsh United Cemetery are Armstong, Anderson, Barker, Becker, Bingleman, and Boughner. The Walsh United Church Cemetery is still functional as of 2020 and it was established around 1830.

==History==

===Pre-20th century=== The Walsh area's earliest known inhabitants, from around the year 1000 until approximately 300–350 years later, were the [[Algonquin people|Algonquin]] nation. They were noted flint-workers and evidence of their skill in crafting arrowheads is still to be found in open worked field areas surrounding the village. The next wave of inhabitants were the [[Neutral Nation|Attawandaron]] nation, the Neutrals, who occupied the region from about 1350 until their absorption by the [[Iroquois]] in the year 1651. The last significant native nation to occupy the area was the [[Mississaugas]].

The first Caucasian settlers in Charlotteville were the [[United Empire Loyalist]] settlers from just prior to the year 1800. Charlotteville was named after [[Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz]], Britain's queen at the time. Charlotteville, roughly 100 square miles was surveyed by the Walsh/Welch family, with the work completed by 1805. The township was laid out, nine miles wide, back from the nominal shoreline of [[Lake Erie]]. On a 180-[[chain (unit)|chain]] spacing (about four kilometres) between the two town lines roads were the two quarter line roads and the centre line road, now known as the Turkey Point road, running northwards, from Turkey Point, through Charlotteville Centre and beyond. Perpendicular to the line roads was a series of twelve concession roads, spaced 70 chains apart (about 1.5 kilometres), from the Lake Erie shore, back to the north boundary. The Township of Charlotteville became an incorporated municipality within the [[Norfolk County, Ontario|County of Norfolk]], in 1850.

Because of its convenient central location, Charlotteville Centre, now known as Walsh, was designated the administrative centre. The Township Hall building, constructed at a cost of $700 in 1868 still stands. In later years, the township seat administrative function was relocated to the larger village of [[Vittoria, Ontario|Vittoria]], four miles to the southeast. Walsh developed as a community centre and gathering place during the first half of the nineteenth century after Charlotteville Township was surveyed. Located at the intersection of the middle of five north–south "line roads" and the sixth of twelve west–east concession roads made it a logical central focus point for the growing township.

Railway service once provided freight and passenger service at a railway junction, three concessions to the south, known as '''Walsh Station''' ({{coord|42.732072|N|80.362844|W|region:CA|name=Walsh Station, Ontario}}) from its inception in 1886 by the [[South Norfolk Railway]] until all service was terminated in 1962 by the [[Canadian National Railways]]. Canadian National removed the railway tracks three years later in 1965.

The proximity to Young's Creek with a water flow to power [[gristmill|flour]] and [[sawmill|lumber mill]]s was an added advantage favouring the location. From a geographical perspective, Young's Creek originates about four kilometers northwest of the village and passes through Walsh, and then Vittoria, before discharging into Lake Erie, {{convert|11|km|mi|disp=or}} away in Port Ryerse.<ref>[http://travelingluck.com/North%20America/Canada/Ontario/_6185741_Young's%20Creek.html#local_map ''Young's Creek''] information at TravelingLuck.com, accessed 20 February 2012</ref> This creek would eventually provide water to nearby Vitorria in addition to Greens Corners, Port Ryerse, Normandale, Turkey Point, St. Williams and Port Rowan.<ref>{{cite web| work=Source Water| date=February 7, 2012| url=http://www.sourcewater.ca/swp_watersheds_longpoint/2012_LPR_Approved_Ch2.pdf| title=Long Point Region SPA Updated Assessment Report| access-date=March 23, 2013| archive-date=September 24, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103957/http://www.sourcewater.ca/swp_watersheds_longpoint/2012_LPR_Approved_Ch2.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===20th century=== With the escalation of gasoline consumption after the Great Depression, the number of low volume rural gasoline retailers peaked in the late 1950s. Gas prices reached 5.5 cents a litre by 1959 due to the low fuel taxes and surplus of oil from the [[Middle East]] during that era.<ref>[http://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/learningcentre/journal/stories/200911-5_e.asp ''Your money – Farm productivity benefits the average family''] at Farm Credit Canada</ref> At that time, Walsh had three such businesses. Colwell, General Merchant, described more fully below, was located on the northwest corner of the main intersection and sold Supertest products. Facing them, across the road, on the northeast corner was another general store, Earle's Grocery, that sold Reliance products. Ironically, Supertest and Reliance were of the same corporate ownership but operated as separate companies. Half a block to the south of Earle's was the village's only full scope service station, Engell's Walsh Garage that sold [[Texaco]] products. At Walsh Station located five kilometers to the south, Cherwaty's Service sold [[Petrofina|Fina]] products<ref name="alexc"/> during the early years of his business. He would keep the business selling Petro-Canada products before dying in 2008 at the Leisure World in Brantford.<ref>[http://www.simcoereformer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1294868 Paul Cherwaty's death] on [[The Simcoe Reformer]]'s official website, accessed 23 February 2012</ref>

The local gasoline retailers have all gone out of business.<ref name="alexc"/> The gas station at the general store belonging to the parents of local [[petroliana]] collector Alex Colwell handled [[Supertest Petroleum|Supertest]] products for oil and automobile gasoline.<ref name="alexc">[http://www.britishamericanoil.ca/aboutme.html ''About Alex Colwell from Walsh, Ontario''] at BritishAmericanOil.com, accessed 19 February 2012</ref> Supertest was an all-Canadian company that operated until being bought out by [[BP Canada]] in the 1970s (which was bought out by [[Petro-Canada]] in 1983).<ref>[http://www.allcanadiancompany.com/supertesthistory.html ''Supertest Chronology''] at AllCanadianCompany.com, accessed 19 February 2012</ref>

[[Natural gas]] production is found throughout the Walsh area; this production spreads as fast east as Vittoria and as far west as Jericho and Silver Hill.<ref>[http://www.metaloreresources.com/pdf/met_prod_2010.pdf ''Natural Gas Production System''] at Metalore Resources Ltd., accessed 27 July 2012</ref> More than {{convert|40000|acre|sqft|disp=or}} of petroleum and mineral leases are within the boundaries of Walsh along with the nearby communities of Walsingham and Houghton. Approximately 85 businesses and residences are served by this company through a special agreement with [[Union Gas]].<ref>[http://www.metaloreresources.com/natural_gas.html ''Natural Gas Information''] at Metalore Resources Ltd., accessed 27 July 2012</ref>

In 2001, Haldimand-Norfolk was dissolved into two separate single-tier counties. Walsh became part of the newly formed County of Norfolk.

==Donnybrook Fair== An annual fair held in the hamlet called the Donnybrook Fair attracts kids and adults from the area in the middle of September.<ref name="walshstmichaelsfair">[http://donnybrookfair.ca/ ''Donnybrook Fair''] information at DonnybrookFair.ca, accessed 19 February 2012</ref>

It has been held since 1857, with the fair growing in size and quality every year. Children who attend school within the immediate vicinity are allowed to enter any artwork that they produced themselves in addition to their own crafts and [[agriculture]]-related artifacts. They are typically between the ages of 5 and 13. Homeschooled children may also enter the contests. In the 2011 edition of the Donnybrook Fair, these local students have managed to win $1346 in tax-free cash. This monetary award encourages children to save up for [[higher education]] opportunities. The short-term effects of the award system encourages children to work on their innovative spirit and improve their work ethics. Although the winner of the Donnybrook Fair demolition derby is no longer assured a spot in the Norfolk County Fair version of the event, the prize money keeps increasing and the event is done over a traditional dirt track. Fundraising for the Donnybrook Fair involves a [[Victoria Day]] brunch, an annual spring barbecue, and numerous raffles.<ref name="walshstmichaelsfair"/>

==Notable people== * [[Annaleise Carr]], the youngest person to swim across Lake Ontario * [[Egerton Ryerson]], Methodist minister, educator, politician, and public education advocate in early Ontario history * [[Joseph Ryerson]], soldier, [[United Empire Loyalist]] and father of Egerton * [[David Tisdale]], Canadian politician * [[Aquila Walsh]], Canadian civil engineer, politician, and civil servant * [[William L. Walsh]], Canadian lawyer and judge

==Climate== Throughout the history of the hamlet, Walsh has seen temperatures as cold as {{convert|-10.2|C|F}} and as hot as {{convert|26.3|C|F}}. Summers have typically been around {{convert|20|C|F}} for most of Walsh's history. Winter activities are possible between the months of December and March; although recent years have made March and sometimes December too mild for the snow to form. Even during the coldest years, no snow-related activities are possible between April and November.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.yr.no/place/Canada/Ontario/Charlotteville/statistics.html| title = Walsh weather statistics | publisher = Yr.com | access-date = 2018-10-07}}</ref>

The winter of 1975 was the only unusually mild winter in the region from 1897 to 1977.<ref>{{cite journal | title = Maximum Freezing Degree-Days as a Winter Severity Index for the Great Lakes, 1897–1977 | journal = Monthly Weather Review | volume = 108 | issue = 9 | pages = 1440 | publisher = American Meteorological Society | doi = 10.1175/1520-0493(1980)108<1440:MFDDAA>2.0.CO;2 | issn = 1520-0493 | year = 1980 | bibcode = 1980MWRv..108.1440A | last1 = Assel | first1 = Raymond A. | doi-access = free }}</ref> From the late 1990s onwards, winters became more mild due to changes in climate brought on by global warming. Walsh traditionally belongs to the [[humid continental climate]] zone, even with the recent mild winters and warmer dry summers. As in all communities, towns and cities throughout the world, [[global warming]] due to human industrial activity has drastically altered the climate of Walsh over the decades.

The warmest summers that Walsh has witnessed occurred in 1998, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 (with the exception of the month of July<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=en&n=714D9AAE-1&news=7DDF8AF2-FE36-439D-A474-4FD32F86C148| title = Ontario Weather Review - July 2009 | publisher = Environment Canada| date = 2009-09-01| access-date = 2011-10-27}}</ref>), 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.<ref name=NOAA2015>{{cite news|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/201613|title=Global Analysis - Annual 2016|publisher=NOAA|access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>

Should the sea levels rise by {{convert|60|m|ft|disp=or}}, Walsh is not located close enough to salt water to be affected directly by flooding.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://flood.firetree.net/?ll=42.8780,-80.4199&z=7&m=60| title = Impact of global warming on the community of Walsh, Ontario | publisher = Firetree| access-date = 2012-07-02}}</ref> However, it would suffer indirectly from droughts due to the displacement of available freshwater resources and would have to rely on [[desalination|desalinated]] salt water piped in from hundreds of miles away. Many major cities near salt water already pipe in their water from freshwater sources hundreds of miles away like [[Los Angeles]]; which is located in the middle of a desert.

{{Weather box |location = Walsh, Ontario |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 13 |Feb record high C = 19 |Mar record high C = 25 |Apr record high C = 26 |May record high C = 32 |Jun record high C = 33 |Jul record high C = 34 |Aug record high C = 35 |Sep record high C = 31 |Oct record high C = 27 |Nov record high C = 19 |Dec record high C = 19 |Year record high = |Jan high C = 0 |Feb high C = 3 |Mar high C = 7 |Apr high C = 13 |May high C = 22 |Jun high C = 25 |Jul high C = 27 |Aug high C = 23 |Sep high C = 22 |Oct high C = 16 |Nov high C = 8 |Dec high C = 2 |year high C = 27 |Jan low C = -8 |Feb low C = -5 |Mar low C = -3 |Apr low C = 2 |May low C = 9 |Jun low C = 13 |Jul low C = 15 |Aug low C = 14 |Sep low C = 11 |Oct low C = 5 |Nov low C = 0 |Dec low C = -6 |year low C = -8 |Jan record low C = -25 |Feb record low C = -23 |Mar record low C = -22 |Apr record low C = -6 |May record low C = 0 |Jun record low C = 0 |Jul record low C = 5 |Aug record low C = 5 |Sep record low C = 0 |Oct record low C = -4 |Nov record low C = -14 |Dec record low C = -22 |Year record low = |precipitation colour = green |rain colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 70 |Feb precipitation mm = 59 |Mar precipitation mm = 83 |Apr precipitation mm = 85 |May precipitation mm = 83 |Jun precipitation mm = 83 |Jul precipitation mm = 86 |Aug precipitation mm = 86 |Sep precipitation mm = 98 |Oct precipitation mm = 84 |Nov precipitation mm = 84 |Dec precipitation mm = 100 |year precipitation mm = 1010 |Jan rain mm = 37 |Feb rain mm = 30 |Mar rain mm = 62 |Apr rain mm = 80 |May rain mm = 84 |Jun rain mm = 83 |Jul rain mm = 86 |Aug rain mm = 86 |Sep rain mm = 98 |Oct rain mm = 84 |Nov rain mm = 91 |Dec rain mm = 58 |year rain mm = 877 |Jan snow cm = 33 |Feb snow cm = 30 |Mar snow cm = 21 |Apr snow cm = 6 |May snow cm = 0 |Jun snow cm = 0 |Jul snow cm = 0 |Aug snow cm = 0 |Sep snow cm = 0 |Oct snow cm = 0.5 |Nov snow cm = 9 |Dec snow cm = 34 |year snow cm = 133 |source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name= "climate">[[Environment Canada]]—[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=Duncan&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=45& Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000], accessed 10 July 2009</ref> |date=August 2010 }}

{{Gallery |title=Views of Walsh, Ontario |width=160 |height=170 |align=center |File:WalshBaptistChurch.JPG|alt1= Walsh Baptist Church; established 1876| Walsh Baptist Church; established 1876 |File:WalshPublicSchool.jpg|alt2= Walsh Area Public School; opened March 1960 (photo taken November 2006)| Walsh Area Public School; opened March 1960 (photo taken November 2006) |File:St.Michael’sElementarySchool.jpg|alt3= St. Michael’s Elementary School; opened January 1961| St. Michael’s Elementary School; opened January 1961 |File:St.Michael’sChurch.jpg|alt4= St. Michael’s Catholic Church; established 1947| St. Michael’s Catholic Church; established 1947 |File:CharlottevilleMethodist.JPG|alt5= Charlotteville Methodist Church; erected 1856 and demolished 1962| Charlotteville Methodist Church; erected 1856 and demolished 1962 |File:WalshSchool.jpg|alt6= Walsh Public School SS#11; opened 1908 and closed March 1960| Walsh Public School SS#11; opened 1908 and closed March 1960 |File:TisdaleSchool.jpg|alt7= Tisdale Public School SS#12; opened 1884 and closed March 1960| Tisdale Public School SS#12; opened 1884 and closed March 1960 |File:WAPS1963.jpg|alt8= Walsh Area Public School; viewed across restored Mill Pond on Young's Creek (summer of 1963)| Walsh Area Public School; viewed across restored Mill Pond on Young's Creek (summer of 1963) |File: CharlottevilleTownshipGarage.JPG|alt9= Township Board of Works five-bay service garage constructed in Walsh in 1950|Township Board of Works five-bay service garage constructed in Walsh in 1950 |File:AppleHarvest1946.jpg|alt10= Apple growing was prevalent around Walsh since the 1920s. This scene from 1946 depicts a traditional harvest.| Apple growing was prevalent around Walsh since the 1920s. This scene from 1946 depicts a traditional harvest. |File:AppleHarvest2002.jpg|alt11= Apple harvesting by 2002 had become much more mechanized.| Apple harvesting by 2002 had become much more mechanized |File:Tobacco Kiln.jpg|alt12= Tobacco kilns, like this one in nearby Delhi, dot the local landscape after more than 60 years as a major cash crop.| Tobacco kilns, like this one in nearby Delhi, dot the local landscape after more than 60 years as a major cash crop. |File: WalshMillPond1958.JPG|alt13= Fishing at the old mill pond on Young’s Creek; photo taken spring 1958.| Fishing at the old mill pond on Young’s Creek; photo taken spring 1958. |File:AppleBlossoms.jpg|alt14= Apple trees in blossom near Walsh.| Apple trees in blossom near Walsh |File:CornFieldafterPicking.jpg|alt15= Corn field near Walsh after picking.| Corn field near Walsh after picking |File:WelcometoWalsh.jpg|alt16= Walsh entrance sign after re-establishment of Norfolk County in 2001.| Walsh entrance sign after re-establishment of Norfolk County in 2001.

}}

==See also== * [[List of townships in Ontario]] * [[Royal eponyms in Canada]]

==References== {{reflist|2}}

{{Geographic location  | Centre = Walsh | North = Green's Corners | Northeast = [[Simcoe, Ontario|Simcoe]] | East = [[Haldimand County, Ontario|Haldimand County]] | Southeast = [[Port Dover, Ontario|Port Dover]] | South = Walsh Station, Turkey Point | Southwest = St. Williams, Port Rowan, [[Long Point, Ontario|Long Point]] | West = Langton | Northwest = [[Tillsonburg, Ontario|Tillsonburg]], [[Norwich, Ontario|Norwich]], [[Ingersoll, Ontario|Ingersoll]] }}

[[Category:Communities in Norfolk County, Ontario]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1850]]