The history of peterborough, Ontario, Canada
As of 2016, the Peterborough, Ontario area was home to a little over 81,000 residents. Peterborough is a medium-sized city located in the heart of Ontario Province. It lies within a 200-mile radius of both Ottawa and Toronto cities and is arguably one of the fastest-growing urban centers in the region. Although the city started out as the hub of technology and industrialization in Canada, it is currently one of the leading tourist destinations in the country. The city serves as the commercial and administrative center of Peterborough County. It is also the center of the fast-growing Peterborough metro area.
History has it that the area that became modern-day Peterborough County including the city of Peterborough was originally inhabited by several successive groups of indigenous people for thousands of years. The First Nations are believed to have arrived first followed closely by the Woodland Natives. The latter were followed by the Mississaugas and the Iroquois people. Historical evidence that supports the existence of Native Algonquin settlements in the region has been found near the city.
Peterborough made contact with the Europeans in the early 17th century when French navigator Samuel de Champlain portaged his boat from Lake Chemong to the Otonabee River and made camp just outside the city. Peterborough was established in 1818, exactly two centuries after Champlain's exploration of the area. The city started out as a small industrial settlement owned by Adam Scott. Eventually, the area came to be known as Scott's Plains.
In 1825, a large group of poor Irish immigrants arrived from Britain and established settlements in Scott's Plains. Consequently, the area was renamed to Peterborough to honor famous Canadian business magnate Peter Robinson who spearheaded the entire process and helped the new arrivals to settle in. Due to the strategic location of the settlement on the famous Otonabee River, it was only a matter of time before it became one of Canada's leading industrial and commercial centers. Peterborough was officially chartered as a town in 1850, having a population of approximately 2000 people. 55 years later, it was incorporated as a city.
Today, the city boasts of a well-established economy that is largely based on tourism, commerce, and manufacturing. The Comfort Life magazine named the city as one of the country's best places to invest in 2017. Apart from the booming economy, the city also has a rich cultural heritage, modern infrastructure, and an enviable education system.
History has it that the area that became modern-day Peterborough County including the city of Peterborough was originally inhabited by several successive groups of indigenous people for thousands of years. The First Nations are believed to have arrived first followed closely by the Woodland Natives. The latter were followed by the Mississaugas and the Iroquois people. Historical evidence that supports the existence of Native Algonquin settlements in the region has been found near the city.
Peterborough made contact with the Europeans in the early 17th century when French navigator Samuel de Champlain portaged his boat from Lake Chemong to the Otonabee River and made camp just outside the city. Peterborough was established in 1818, exactly two centuries after Champlain's exploration of the area. The city started out as a small industrial settlement owned by Adam Scott. Eventually, the area came to be known as Scott's Plains.
In 1825, a large group of poor Irish immigrants arrived from Britain and established settlements in Scott's Plains. Consequently, the area was renamed to Peterborough to honor famous Canadian business magnate Peter Robinson who spearheaded the entire process and helped the new arrivals to settle in. Due to the strategic location of the settlement on the famous Otonabee River, it was only a matter of time before it became one of Canada's leading industrial and commercial centers. Peterborough was officially chartered as a town in 1850, having a population of approximately 2000 people. 55 years later, it was incorporated as a city.
Today, the city boasts of a well-established economy that is largely based on tourism, commerce, and manufacturing. The Comfort Life magazine named the city as one of the country's best places to invest in 2017. Apart from the booming economy, the city also has a rich cultural heritage, modern infrastructure, and an enviable education system.