Queen's Bush Settlement, 1820-1867. In the early 19th century the vast unsettled area between Waterloo County and Lake Huron was known as the "Queen's Bush." More than 1,500 free and formerly enslaved Blacks pioneered scattered farms throughout the Queen’s Bush, starting in about 1820. Many settled along the Peel and Wellesley Township border, with Glen Allan, Hawkesville and Wallenstein as important centres. Working together, these resilient settlers built churches, schools, and a strong and vibrant community life. American missionaries taught local Black children at the Mount Hope and Mount Pleasant schools. In the 1840s the government ordered the district surveyed and many of the settlers could not afford to purchase the land they had pioneered so hard to clear. By 1850 migration out of the Bush had begun. Today African Canadians whose ancestors pioneered the Queen’s Bush are represented in communities across Ontario. Ontario Heritage Trust, an agency of the Government of Ontario. Wellington County Museum and Archive.
Click to enlarge
Queen's Bush Settlement, 1820-1867. In the early 19th century the vast unsettled area between Waterloo County and Lake Huron was known as the "Queen's Bush." More than 1,500 free and formerly enslaved Blacks pioneered scattered farms throughout the Queen’s Bush, starting in about 1820. Many settled along the Peel and Wellesley Township border, with Glen Allan, Hawkesville and Wallenstein as important centres. Working together, these resilient settlers built churches, schools, and a strong and vibrant community life. American missionaries taught local Black children at the Mount Hope and Mount Pleasant schools. In the 1840s the government ordered the district surveyed and many of the settlers could not afford to purchase the land they had pioneered so hard to clear. By 1850 migration out of the Bush had begun. Today African Canadians whose ancestors pioneered the Queen’s Bush are represented in communities across Ontario. Ontario Heritage Trust, an agency of the Government of Ontario. Wellington County Museum and Archive.
ARTHUR DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 1856 - 1956 PRESENTED BY ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN RECOGNITION OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS SERVICE
To honour the pioneers of this community and all those who during the past 100 years have served the cause of agriculture in Arthur District.
Gray concrete bridge railing with metal plates.
Concrete bridge railing with grass and weeds growing at the base.
Wellington
OPP INVESTIGATING SEVERAL THEFTS OF PLAQUES
    Tags
seeking-assistance
theft

S eeking Public Assistance

(COUNTY OF WELLINGTON, ON) -The Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is requesting public assistance in relation to several thefts of historical and bridge dedication plaques.

On July 29, 2025, at approximately 2:20 pm, the Wellington County OPP received a report of a stolen historical plaque, titled, “The Queen’s Bush Settlement 1820-1867”. The plaque was removed from a post within Glen Allan Park on Side Road 17 within Mapleton Township.

On August 15, 2025, the Wellington County OPP received a report that two more historical plaques which belonged to the Arthur Agricultural Society. The plaques were stolen from the entrance to the Arthur Community Centre located on Domville Street in Arthur.

Further investigation has determined that since May 2025, approximately sixteen other “bridge dedication” plaques have been reported stolen from bridges throughout Wellington County.

The investigation is ongoing, and any updates will be provided when available.

    Tags
seeking-assistance
theft

More from Wellington

256 articles