What's happening
Tillsonburg 150
Celebrating 150 years of incorporation
Tillsonburg is having a birthday!
March 2, 2022 is the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Tillsonburg. Throughout the year, a number of special events will be held to celebrate this milestone in our community's history.
Explore downtown
150th gifts
Key Dates in Tillsonburg's journey to incorporation
January 18, 1872 – Public meeting held to decide whether to incorporate as a Town or Village
February 23, 1872 – Third reading of the bill to incorporate the Town of Tillsonburg passed at the Legislature of the Province of Ontario at Toronto. The bill is introduced by South Oxford MPP Adam Oliver
March 2, 1872 – Royal Assent is given to the Incorporated Town of Tilsonburg. Note the spelling! Due to a clerical error, only one “L” was put in Tillsonburg. It would stay this way until the passing of E.D. Tillson in 1902. Following his death, citizens petitioned Council to have the error corrected.
March 15, 1872 – The public nomination meeting for Tillsonburg’s first Mayor and Council is held. At the meeting only one person was nominated for each position -- so the entire first Council, including the Mayor was acclaimed (i.e. no election was held)
March 22, 1872 – The first Council meeting was held at noon in the Sons of Temperance Hall.
Learn more
Video - Historical Places and Names in Tillsonburg
Video - History of the Town Hall