Welcome to Hagersville, Ontario!
Nestled in Haldimand County since 1974—Hagersville is a vibrant, close‑knit community rich in history and natural charm.
🏡 History & Origins
- Established around 1855, when Charles and David Hager purchased land along what became Highway 6; the community was named in their honor .
- Growth accelerated with the arrival of the Canada Southern Railway in 1870 and the Hamilton & Lake Erie Railway in 1873 .
📊 Population & Geography
- Population (2021 Census): 3,059, marking a 4.1% increase from 2,815 in 2016 .
- Land area: approx. 3.15 km², with a density around 971 people/km² .
- About 45 km southwest of Hamilton, roughly 15 km from Caledonia and 24 km from Port Dover .
🌳 Parks & Recreation
- Local parks and amenities include Haldimand Memorial Arboretum, Grant Kett Park, Hagersville Memorial Arena, and the Lions Pool .
- Hiking and natural spaces are available across Haldimand County, though not specifically named Sweets Corners or “Haldimand Conservation Area” within the town boundaries .
🌾 Economy & Industry
- Historically, agriculture has been central, with farmland producing corn, soybeans, wheat, tobacco, and eggs. Farmers’ markets and roadside stands are active, though exact crop distributions vary .
- The local economy also includes manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. West Haldimand General Hospital serves community healthcare needs .
🚗 Transportation & Infrastructure
- Highway 6 (formerly Plank Road) provides key links to Hamilton and Lake Erie communities.
- Rail service arrived in the early 1870s and remains via Southern Ontario Railway (formerly Canada Southern Railway) .
🎉 Community & Culture
- Hagersville Rocks Music Festival and the Summer’s End Festival are annual highlights .
- Farmers’ markets during summer months offer a taste of local life and produce.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
- Schools: Hagersville Secondary School, Hagersville Elementary School, and St. Mary’s Catholic School, under Grand Erie and Brant‑Haldimand‑Norfolk Catholic District School Boards .
- Local hospital: West Haldimand General Hospital .
🏒 Sports
- The community supports the Hagersville Hawks, a Provincial Junior Hockey League team founded in 1992, playing at the Memorial Arena .
- Nearby, the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (opened 2004) hosts box lacrosse teams from the Six Nations reserve .
🔥 Notable Event – 1990 Tire Fire
- On February 12, 1990, a massive tire fire erupted at a recycling facility about 8 km south near Nanticoke.
- It burned approximately 14 million tires over 17 days, cost roughly $15–25 million, and led to evacuations of up to 4,000 residents.
- This event spurred regulatory changes in Ontario’s tire management policies .
📍 Nearby Attractions
- Lake Erie beaches and Norfolk County’s scenic towns are just a short drive away.
- Hamilton (≈45 min) and Toronto (≈1.5 hrs) are easily accessible via Highway 6 and surrounding routes .
Leave a Reply