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History

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The Town of St. Marys acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Ojibway/Chippewa people. This area is within the boundaries covered by Treaty 29, known as the Huron Tract Purchase, and is protected by the Dish With One Spoon wampum agreement. Today, many Indigenous peoples continue to call this land home and act as its stewards, we are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on this territory.

A visit to St. Marys offers a unique blend of 19th-century charm with the modern amenities of the 21st century. Our town’s rich history has shaped its character, and we’re excited to share it with you.

European settlers first arrived in St. Marys in the early 1840s, drawn by the region’s natural resources. Where Trout Creek meets the Thames River, the water cascades over limestone ledges, which powered the town’s first mills. This same limestone, easily accessible along the riverbanks, became the foundation for many of the town’s enduring structures.

Known today as “Stonetown,” St. Marys is famed for its stunning 19th-century limestone buildings, including churches, commercial blocks, and homes that still grace our streets.

The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway in the late 1850s accelerated the town’s growth, transforming it into a hub for milling, grain trading, and the manufacture of agricultural products. The railway not only connected St. Marys to the broader world but also became an iconic feature of the landscape with its impressive trestle bridges spanning the waterways. 

By the late 1800s, St. Marys was thriving. New churches, their steeples towering above the countryside, reflected the town’s growing prosperity. Cultural landmarks such as the Opera House (opened in 1880), Town Hall (1891), and the Carnegie Library (1904) became cornerstones of the community.

Today, St. Marys preserves its historic atmosphere while embracing the amenities of a welcoming small town. The downtown Heritage Conservation District, is lined with century-old buildings, and a peaceful community walkway now follows the path of the old millrace along the river. While limestone is no longer quarried for construction, it remains vital to production at St. Marys Cement, a major local industry. An abandoned limestone quarry, dating back to 1930, has been transformed into a beloved swimming facility.

Though the Opera House no longer hosts performances, its historic structure remains a downtown highlight, now serving as an apartment building.

Proud of our heritage and eager to share it, St. Marys welcomes you to explore our unique past and vibrant present.

Photo Gallery: History will appear here on the public site.
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