History of Brantford, Ontario

The city was first settled in 1784 when Captain Joseph Brant and the Six Nations Indians left New York to settle in Canada. As a reward for their loyalty to the Crown, they were given a large land grant on the Grand River. By 1847, European settlers began to settle further up the river at a ford in the Grand River and named the village Brantford. It was then incorporated as a city in 1877.

Brantford's Demographics

The racial makeup of Brantford consists of approximately 91.8% Caucasian, 2.9% Aboriginal, 1.5% South Asian and 1.3% Black.

Brantford's Climate

Geography of Brantford, Ontario

Brantford is connected to London in the west and Hamilton in the east by Highway 403 and to Cambridge to the north by Highway 24. Brantford boasts over 40 kilometres of natural trails, including a four-season stretch of the Trans Canada Trail. This network of beautifully maintained trails links to the cities of Cambridge and Hamilton, and provides a great place for hikers, bikers and nature fanatics.

Brantford's Government

The city council was elected to a three-year term in November, 2003, and is headed by Mayor Mike Hancock. Two councillors were elected to represent each of the five wards.

Brantford's Economy and Industry

Brantford was an important Canadian industrial center for the first half of the 20th Century, and was once the third largest city in Ontario. The completion of the Brantford to Ancaster section of Highway 403 in 1997, provided an increased incentive for business to locate in Brantford because of easy access to Hamilton and Toronto, as well as being along the quickest route through southern Ontario between Detroit and Buffalo. In 2004 Procter & Gamble and Ferrero SpA chose to locate in the city. Although, Wescast recently relocated their local foundry to China, their corporate headquarters will remain in Brantford.