Self-Guided Walks
Heritage Houses in Old Oakville explores the exterior of the homes in our Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District, Oakville's first such area. It includes many of the Town's oldest homes, some dating back to the late 1820s. Included are some interesting insights into the lives of Oakville's early inhabitants, such as their approach to "domestic downsizing".
This tour leaves from and returns to the Oakville Historical Society offices and archive at 110 King Street. As a self-guided tour, you may explore off of the guided path. If our office is open, you may visit us for informal discussion and viewing of archival displays at our offices.
Duration: about 2 hours, if following the guide.
Download the The Walker's Guide to OLD OAKVILLE.
Questions? Please contact us.
Heritage Main Street of Old Oakville:
This walk covers the original business section of the town which has extended since the 1830's from the Sixteen Mile Creek to Trafalgar Road. From that point eastward, the street was mainly residential to Allan St. until its transformation starting in the 1950's.
This self-guided tour starts on the south-west corner of Lakeshore Road and Navy Street, east of the bridge over the creek (click here for map). From Navy Street, the tour proceeds along the south side of Lakeshore Rd. to Trafalgar Rd. to view the north side, returning on the north side to view the south. The street is not a Heritage Conservation District, however many buildings have individual heritage designations.
As a self-guided tour, you may explore off of the guided path. If our office is open, you may visit us for informal discussion and viewing of archival displays at our offices.
Duration: about 2 hours, if following the guide.
Download the The Walker's Guide to THE MAIN STREET OF OLD OAKVILLE Some stores have changed since the guide was printed.
Historical Walk of Trafalgar Road:
This Historical Walk of Trafalgar Road, explores the homes and other buildings of the Trafalgar Road Heritage Conservation District (and a bit more).
This walk provides insights into many of the lesser known aspects of Oakville's historical heritage: Trafalgar - a wood plank toll road; the Great Fire of 1866 that sent flaming kerosene all the way down the Sixteen to the harbour; the connection between the Temperance movement; the Underground Railway connection; The Hamilton Radial Railway....
Because of the distance covered, a comfortable pair of walking shoes is recommended.
This tour starts and ends at St. John's United Church, 262 Randall Street.
As a self-guided tour, you may explore off of the guided path. If our office is open, you may visit us for informal discussion and viewing of archival displays at our offices.
Duration: minimum 2 hours, if following the guide.
For more details of the walk, visit A Walker's Guide to: Historical Trafalgar Road.
This tour leaves from and returns to the Oakville Historical Society offices and archive at 110 King Street. As a self-guided tour, you may explore off of the guided path. If our office is open, you may visit us for informal discussion and viewing of archival displays at our offices.
Duration: about 2 hours, if following the guide.
Download the The Walker's Guide to OLD OAKVILLE.
Questions? Please contact us.
Heritage Main Street of Old Oakville:
This walk covers the original business section of the town which has extended since the 1830's from the Sixteen Mile Creek to Trafalgar Road. From that point eastward, the street was mainly residential to Allan St. until its transformation starting in the 1950's.
This self-guided tour starts on the south-west corner of Lakeshore Road and Navy Street, east of the bridge over the creek (click here for map). From Navy Street, the tour proceeds along the south side of Lakeshore Rd. to Trafalgar Rd. to view the north side, returning on the north side to view the south. The street is not a Heritage Conservation District, however many buildings have individual heritage designations.
As a self-guided tour, you may explore off of the guided path. If our office is open, you may visit us for informal discussion and viewing of archival displays at our offices.
Duration: about 2 hours, if following the guide.
Download the The Walker's Guide to THE MAIN STREET OF OLD OAKVILLE Some stores have changed since the guide was printed.
Historical Walk of Trafalgar Road:
This Historical Walk of Trafalgar Road, explores the homes and other buildings of the Trafalgar Road Heritage Conservation District (and a bit more).
This walk provides insights into many of the lesser known aspects of Oakville's historical heritage: Trafalgar - a wood plank toll road; the Great Fire of 1866 that sent flaming kerosene all the way down the Sixteen to the harbour; the connection between the Temperance movement; the Underground Railway connection; The Hamilton Radial Railway....
Because of the distance covered, a comfortable pair of walking shoes is recommended.
This tour starts and ends at St. John's United Church, 262 Randall Street.
As a self-guided tour, you may explore off of the guided path. If our office is open, you may visit us for informal discussion and viewing of archival displays at our offices.
Duration: minimum 2 hours, if following the guide.
For more details of the walk, visit A Walker's Guide to: Historical Trafalgar Road.
Guided Walks
For groups, we are pleased to offer guided tours. These tours include tea and light refreshments served afterwards at our offices. This is an opportunity to discuss the walk and ask additional questions of the group leader. These complete guided tours are often lively and entertaining. The cost is $10 per person. Please contact us at least two weeks in advance.
Guided Oakville/St. Mary's Pioneer Cemetery
The land for Oakville/St. Mary's Cemetery was donated in 1858 by the first mayor of Oakville, George K. Chisholm. The land was surveyed by George C. Tremaine, whose Map of Halton County, Canada West appeared the same year. After clearing the trees, the land was surrounded by a white picket fence and a line of hitching posts was placed on Sixth Line. Pines that still exist in the cemetery today were planted along the road. A sale of lots was held at Town Hall and those purchased were marked with little white stakes bearing the names of the owners.
Chisholm suggested the old cemetery on Reynolds Street, north of Palmer Avenue, be moved to the new town cemetery to make way for a public school. The removal of remains from the old cemetery began immediately, though the task was not completed for more than 20 years. In 1881, the last 16 bodies were disinterred from the old cemetery and moved to the Oakville/St. Mary's Cemetery, creating considerable interest among the residents at the time. |
The founder of Oakville, Colonel William Chisholm, and members of his family are buried in Oakville/St. Mary's Cemetery.
Burials in existing plots in Oakville/St. Mary's cemetery are still being carried out today, though no new plots are being sold. Cemetery tours are $10 per person. Please contact us to arrange a tour of this cemetery. |
Guided Ghost Walks
Ghost WalksCelebrate Halloween by joining Society volunteers for a guided walk around the oldest part of the Town with an eerie spine tingling sensation and a dash of old Oakville history. Hear about some of Oakville's ghosts and haunted happenings. Perhaps you'll see a spirit or two on your walk!
Particularly well suited for children and youth groups such as Guides, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts. |
These walks start at our office, 110 King Street, and tend to fill up. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Duration: about an hour. Below are pictures of some ghosts from years past.
Duration: about an hour. Below are pictures of some ghosts from years past.
Monday 27 6:00, 7:15, 8:00
Tuesday 28 6:00, 7:15, 8:00 Wednesday 29 6:00, 7:15, 8:00 Groups may arrange other dates/times. 905-844-2695, email. |
Chost Walks are $12 per adult, children 12 and under, $6. Infants free.
Historical Walks are $10 per adult, children $5, Family $25.
All Walks are Cash only, payable at the beginning of the walk.
Reservations are requested (so we can inform you of any last minute changes and avoid disappointments): 905-844-2695 up to the morning of the walk. We do our best to accommodate those who show up at the scheduled start time without reservations, but the risk is yours! We do cancel walks for bad weather. Your reservation will allow us to contact you.
Reservations may also be made by email (click here), but not less than 3 days before the walk.
Special groups may be booked at other than scheduled times - like the 9th Oakville Trafalgar Beavers pictured way up.
Historical Walks are $10 per adult, children $5, Family $25.
All Walks are Cash only, payable at the beginning of the walk.
Reservations are requested (so we can inform you of any last minute changes and avoid disappointments): 905-844-2695 up to the morning of the walk. We do our best to accommodate those who show up at the scheduled start time without reservations, but the risk is yours! We do cancel walks for bad weather. Your reservation will allow us to contact you.
Reservations may also be made by email (click here), but not less than 3 days before the walk.
Special groups may be booked at other than scheduled times - like the 9th Oakville Trafalgar Beavers pictured way up.
Halloween Haunting in Ontario with The Ghosts of Queen's Park
Getting to know the ghosts of Queen’s Park.
At last count, there were nearly a half-dozen ghosts reportedly haunting the ornate marble hallways of Queen’s Park.
At last count, there were nearly a half-dozen ghosts reportedly haunting the ornate marble hallways of Queen’s Park.