Fanshawe Settlement
1820-1850

Home, farm, and school of the early inhabitants of London Township.

Fanshawe Settlement 1820-1850 tells the story of the impact upon the land and aboriginal people of settlers who immigrated from Europe and other parts of North America to the London area in the first half of the 19th century.

Many settlers are well established in their places of origin but come to Upper Canada to improve the prospects of their families or to escape deteriorating economic conditions. They often travel in family groups and come out to join relatives already in Upper Canada. Farming in Upper Canada is hard and endless work for this first generation of settlers but people survive in part because of the support offered by family and friends. Communities of similar origin come together to build barns and to provide education for their children.

View the larger story.

Buildings

Elgie log house

Elgie Log House

Original Building
Circa 1865

colbert log barn

Colbert Log Barn

Original Building
Built 1840

Log School

Log School

Replica Built 1974

  Time Line

> 1825 - The survey of the town plot of London in Upper Canada (now Ontario) is completed. 

> 1829 - The Welland Canal is opened, creating an improved transportation route to the West.

> 1832 - A cholera epidemic sickens, kills and terrifies London and area residents.

> 1834 - The Slavery Abolition Act comes into affect, abolishing slavery in all British colonies.

> 1837 - The Victorian era begins as Queen Victoria ascends the throne.

> 1845-1849 - The Great Hunger causes mass starvation and disease in Ireland, and one million people emigrate to Canada as a result.

Woman in costume sits beside a spinning wheel inside of a log house. They are spinning wool. To the right of the woman a fire is in the brick fireplace. To the left of the woman small pumpkins are sitting on the table.
Freshly cut flax plants are laid out on a wooden table to dry. The flax is being held down by a piece of wood so it will not blow away.
Man wearing a large straw hat and leather apron sits inside a barn using a wooden machine to make brooms. Broomcorn sits on the broom maker.
Snow covered ground with two log buildings in the distance, Elgie Log House and Colbert Barn.
Woman wearing a costume and sun hat bends over to pick vegetables in a thriving garden. The woman holds a large basket in one arm that holds various vegetables they have picked.
Two pre-teens in costume sit outside the Village's Elgie Log House. One sits on a small wood bench spinning wool by hand. The other sits on the side of the small ramp leading into the house.
Inside the Village's log school, a man in costume sits behind a wooden teacher's desk. Behind him is a chalk board that reads "Happy Dominion Day! Make a Flag!" with a paper Union Jack and Canadian Flag craft attached to the chalkboard.
A lush vegetable garden containing squash, beans, and tomatoes. The garden is enclosed with a split cedar rail fence.
Backside of two horses pulling a wagon through the snow covered Village. Image is taken from the driver's seat of a wagon and focuses on the horses.
Woman in costume bends over a pit fire outside of Elgie Log House. They are frying bread in a cast iron frying pan that is set on top of a raised metal grill over the fire. Mixing bowls sit on a chair behind them.
Red wooden hay wagon sits in an empty field with a split cedar rail fence beside it.
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Fanshawe Corners