The Town of Palmerston had come after the railway making it very unique. The town grew around the railway yard, instead of being located on the outskirts of the town.

By December 13, 1867, the Township of Minto had came to an agreement with the Wellington Grey and Bruce Railway Company [WG&B], that would allow their line to be carried from the town of Guelph to a point within one mile of the village of Harriston. At this point, it was agreed  that a freight and passenger station was to be erected and maintained so the line could continue northward within one mile of the village of Clifford. The point where the station was to be constructed would eventually grow into the Town of Palmerston.

The first inhabitant of Palmerston was Thomas McDowell, who had at the time owned the land on Lot 18, Concession II in Wallace Township Perth County. He came to the area in 1852. William Thompson was another early resident of the area and together, with the promise of the railroad, they began to survey and sell town lots surrounding where the station was to be located.

When the railroad was finally finished in 1870, an application was made for village incorporation to Perth County. However this application was denied as the majority of the village residents wished to become part of Wellington County instead. By 1873 the town had 150 inhabitants which dramatically expanded by 1874, after the Branch line to Listowel had been completed. It was on December 21, 1874 when Palmerston became incorporated as a Town and joined with Wellington County.

With its incorporation as a Town, Thomas McDowell (the town's first resident) became the Town's first elected mayor. The name Palmerston was selected by J. McDermott, Reeve of Wallace, Perth County. He chose the name “Palmerston” after the noted English Statesman, and it is said to have been favorably accepted.

The Town of Palmerston continued to grow and expand with numerous businesses flourishing, as the Grand Trunk Railway used Palmerston as one of its centralized locations of repair shops which employed numerous men from the town.

By 1927, Palmerston consisted of 4 churches, 7 hotels, 22 stores, saw, flour, oatmeal and planning mills, 2 printing offices, 2 private banks, and a telegraph office.

 

List of Palmerston Businesses in 1938

Palmerston Driving Park
Article from the Listowel Banner discussing the opening of the Palmerston Driving Park.

Obituary of Thomas McDowell

What DID YOU DO Today?
Ever wonder what life was like in 19th century Palmerston? Do you ever think about the dangerous life that people lived back then? Find out here and discover all walks of life in 19th century Midwestern Ontario.

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