"GEORGE LAIDLAW 1828-1889"
N 44° 34.873 W 078° 55.600
17T E 664596 N 4938521
On the grounds of St. Thomas Anglican Church, near Balsam Lake.
Waymark Code: WM6QD8
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 07/07/2009
Views: 4
An energetic railway promoter and builder, Laidlaw was born in Scotland and emigrated to Toronto in 1855. He soon prospered as a grain merchant and a wharf-owner, and after 1866 gained prominence as a convincing advocate of the commercial benefits of railways emanating from Toronto. Between 1869-1873 Laidlaw skillfully negotiated the completion of the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway to Owen Sound, and the Toronto and Nipissing to Coboconk. As managing director of the Credit Valley Railway, he vigorously opposed rival railway interests and deftly marshalled regional and Toronto support to insure the line's completion in 1880 from St. Thomas, Elora and Orangeville. Dedicated to agrarian improvement, Laidlaw retired to his nearby ranch, where he raised pure-bred livestock.
Address or location of plaque: On the south-west corner of Road 48 and Balsam Lake Drive just east of Road 35, near Balsam Lake.
Physical location of plaque: Other location
"Ontario Plaques" Website for this "Plaque": [Web Link]
A web-site for more details.: [Web Link]
Description of any physical remains at site of "Historical Plaque": no physical remains
This 'Plaque' describes: A 'Person'
Condition of sign: good
Is this a bilingual sign?: No !
What is the second/third language?: Not listed
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