Aylmer

This page describes Aylmer (Ontario), for Aylmer (Québec) see Ottawa-Gatineau.

Aylmer is a town of about 7,700 people (2021) in Southwestern Ontario in Canada.

Understand

History

Aylmer Baptist Church

In October 1817, John Van Patter, an emigrant from New York State, obtained 80 ha of land and became the first contemporary settler on the site of Aylmer. During the 1830s a general store was opened and village lots sold in what was then called Troy. In 1835 it was renamed Aylmer after Lord Aylmer, then Governor-in-Chief of British North America. By 1851 local enterprises included sawmills and flour-mills powered by water from Catfish Creek. Aided by easy access to Lake Erie, Aylmer became by the mid-1860s the marketing centre for a rich agricultural and timber producing area. It benefited greatly from the construction of the 230-km Canada Air Line Railway from Glencoe to Fort Erie in the 1860s.

Mennonite and Amish communities

In the mid-1970s, many German-speaking Mennonites began migrating to the Aylmer area from Mexico. The Mennonites were Canadian citizens who had moved to Mexico from Manitoba and Saskatchewan during the first half of the 20th century. By the early 21st century, there was a large Mennonite population in Aylmer and the surrounding area. In addition to the Mennonite population there are sizable Dutch, German, and British descended populations in the area.

Just east of Aylmer is a sizable Old Order Amish community. This community was founded by families moving from Ohio in 1953. They were uncomfortable with a nuclear facility being constructed close to their community in Ohio. Since that time, the community has grown to encompass three "districts" the surrounding area. A number of members from this community participate in the weekly Aylmer Sales Barn and sell fruit, vegetables, eggs, and animals, such as rabbits and chickens. This Amish community eschews the use of automobiles, electricity, and most modern conveniences. An Amish publishing house, Pathway Publishers, is based in the community.

Tobacco industry

The tobacco growing industry played a large part in the economic development of Aylmer.

Ontario Police College

In 1962 a central provincial police academy was established in Aylmer. With very rare exceptions, all Police Officers in Ontario attend the college for their 15-week program in order to receive their Basic Constables diploma. Once they have received the diploma and after they have been sworn in as Peace Officers, they can then work in the Province of Ontario as police officers.

Get in

• From London, Aylmer is 40 km away: south on Highbury Ave N (#30), and east on Ron McNeil Line (#52).
• From Toronto, Aylmer is 190 km away: west on Gardiner Expressway/Queen Elizabeth Way to Highway 403, then southwest to Elgin Road (#52).

Get around

• J & D's Taxi Service, +1 519-773-9566

See

• 10,000-60,000 Tundra Swans arrive in the spring as they make their way from their wintering grounds on Chesapeake Bay, to the Arctic - where they breed. They stop over at the Wildlife Management Area near the Ontario Police College on Hacienda Road, located on the north-east side of Aylmer. A Swan Line (+1 519-773-7926) provides daily updates about the number of swans arriving from the last week of February to the end of March or when the swans are gone.
• 1 The Old Town Hall, 38 John St S, ☏ +1 519-765-3039, artsinaylmer@gmail.com. Theatre hosting concerts and shows, also houses the library. For history buffs, the Aylmer Museum houses a collection of 19th century Victorian art pieces created from hair. (updated Jul 2018)
• The Aylmer Fair. Second weekend of Aug. In 1846, the Aylmer and East Elgin Agricultural Society began its annual exhibitions of agriculture and livestock to the people in and around the Aylmer area. Attractions include agriculture, family activities and midway events. Adults $7, ages 6-12 $3, ages 5 & under free, parking $5. (updated Jul 2018)
• 2 Clovermead Apiaries, 11302 Imperial Rd, ☏ +1 519-773-5503. Adventure Farm June 1-Oct 31: M-Sa 9AM–5:30PM. Heritage honey farm with Adventure Farm family playground and animal farm. The Bee Discovery Station has Ontario's largest glass bee display hive. The Honey Gift Shop offers honey treats. Bee-line tours are available for school groups, bus tours, and large family gatherings. Adventure Farm: adults $13, seniors $11, children 23 months & under free. (updated Jul 2018)

Do

• 1 Springwater Conservation Area, 8079 Springwater Rd, ☏ +1 519-773-9037. Full-service service campground (mid-May to mid-Oct, 15 and 30 amp sites), day use facilities, hiking trails, year-round special events, and facility rentals. (updated Jul 2018)
• 2 Port Bruce Provincial Park, Imperial Road & Levi Street, ☏ +1 519-874-4691. Jun-Aug. 7-ha park with 200 m sandy beach and shallow, clear water; picnic area with a hardtop basketball court; restaurant beside the park. Free. (updated Jul 2018)

Buy

• 1 Farmers Market & Flea Market, 51 Murray Street, ☏ +1 519-765-2211. May 1 - Oct 31: Tuesdays 8AM to 4PM. Local fresh produce, meat, cheese, eggs, collectables, fabrics, clothing, crafts, books, tools, furniture, home décor, one restaurant, ATM. (updated Jul 2018)

Eat

• 1 Ruby's Cookhouse, 583 John St North, ☏ +1 519-773-8786, info@rubyscookhouse.com. M-W 7AM-9PM, Th-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 8AM-9PM. Breakfasts (from $5.50), sandwiches, wraps, pastas, salads, steaks, souvlaki. (updated Jul 2018)
• 2 Mennomex, 49919 Talbot St E, ☏ +1 519-773-2002. M-Sa 6AM-9PM. Authentic Mexican restaurant and groceries by Mennonites. (updated Aug 2023)
• 3 Walker Dairy Bar. A local herd of cows provides the fresh milk for ice cream and shakes at a roadside stop. Also serves coffee and baked goods. (updated Aug 2023)
• 4 The Green Frog Tearoom (Pinecroft). 11AM-3PM daily (Mar-Dec). Historically a tea room attached to a pottery studio nestled in a forest just outside of town, the tearoom is now a full restaurant serving country style comfort foods in a rustic log cabin. (updated Aug 2023)

Drink

• 1 Cy's, 436 Talbot St E, ☏ +1 519-773-8072. Pub, bowling, beer and chicken wings. (updated Jul 2018)

Sleep

Some limited B&B style accommodation can be found in the countryside, and camping is possible at the Springwater Conservation Area during summer.

Hotels are available in either St. Thomas (20 minutes west) or Tillsonburg (25 minutes east).

Go next

• Bayham — a rural area than includes Port Burwell, and its lighthouse, marine museum and provincial park.
• St. Thomas (Ontario) — celebrates its history as a railway junction with an impressive railway museum, the railway hall of fame housed in the old train station and railway office, and an elevated park on an old railway bridge. A life-sized statue commemorates Jumbo the circus elephant, struck and killed by a locomotive in town.
• Port Stanley — one of Lake Erie Shore's small historic harbours, today a beach town with a main street offering some small inns, dining and shopping.
• London — the nearest major community, and the largest city in Western Ontario.

Routes through Aylmer

END ← St. Thomas ←

W  E

→ Tillsonburg → Fort Erie