Elora, Ontario
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Elora is a village in Ontario, Canada, with a population of 4,546 (according to the 2001 census). It has not officially existed since amalgamation, and is currently part of the Township of Centre Wellington, itself a part of Wellington County.
Elora is situated on the Grand River, approximately 20 kilometres north of Guelph, and 20 kilometres northeast of Kitchener-Waterloo. Its coordinates are 43° 40" 59' N - 80° 25" 59' W. The spectacular Elora Gorge is at the western edge of the village, adjacent to the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. At the eastern end of the village is the Elora Quarry Conservation area, a scenic former limestone quarry which is now a popular swimming area. Both of these conservation areas are under the authority of the Grand River Conservation Authority.
The village was founded in 1832 by Captain William Gilkison, a British officer just back from India. The town's name was inspired by the Ellora Caves near Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Elora is a noted tourist attraction, with a famous waterfall overlooked by an old mill, numerous small shops and art galleries, a small old movie theater. More recently, the town makes a quaint terminus to Ontario's scenic 47km Elora Cataract Trailway to its East, and is just 10km from the Trans Canada Trail to its Southwest.
In 2002, the Grand River Raceway opened in Elora, featuring 200 slot machines. The racetrack was the subject of much debate and argument by townsfolk (Centre Wellington Citizens Coalition) culminating in a 4-3 decision to approve its opening by town council.
The town is closely linked with nearby Fergus and other communities in the area, which share a significant museum and active historical society listed below. The two towns host several annual musical festivals. Elora lies in an area with many old-order Mennonite farmers.
External links
- Official town website (http://www.elora.info/)
- Fergus-Elora News-Express (local newspaper) (http://www.centrewellington.com/)
- CWCC (Centre Wellington Citizens Coalition) (http://cwcc.info)
- Historical Sketch (http://www.ferguselora.com/elora_hist.htm)
- Wellington County Museum & Archives (http://www.wcm.on.ca/)
- Wellington County Historical Society (http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/history/wellington.html)
- Wellington County History (publication) (http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/history/wellcohist.html)