Founded in
1826 on about 100 hectares of land at the Forks of the Thames, the
town was the administrative centre for the London
District. Dominated by the courthouse, London
grew rapidly, housing a garrison and regional
farmers' market.
The
links provided by the river, then bridge, roads
and railways, enabled the new city (1855) to
become the wholesaling and manufacturing centre
for southwestern Ontario. By World War I, London
firms sold goods across Canada and several of its
financial institutions gained national
prominence.
London
today is a thriving business, medical, and
educational centre with a population of about
330,000 on 16,638 hectares. More than 30 bridges,
a riverside park and trail system and the Thames
itself form London's river heritage.
View
illustrative maps of south
London and north
London.
Copyright: © Urban League of
London 1997
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