HISTORY
OF PERTH
The History
of Perth
The idyllic and livable town of Perth, Ontario, known as the “Prettiest Little Town in Ontario”, shares its history with Otty Woods. At the same time that Hugh McKay was arriving in the region the British Army established a settlement on the Tay River as a garrison town. Within only fifteen years, the new town of Perth boasted seven general stores, three churches, a newspaper and a population of 350.
Within a few decades, Perth had become the seat of government for the entire region stretching all the way to Bytown in the east. Since those early days, Perth and region have grown steadily to become one of the most desirable communities in which to live work or retire.
In the early 1980’s, the town was selected for a pilot project for Heritage Canada’s Main Street revival program. As a result, Perth remains today an architecturally and historically intact community-modern in every way, but with a old world charm rarely found.
Today, with the four lane extension of Highway 7 from Ottawa to Carleton Place, the town of Perth has become even more desirable, a wholesome, culturally rich and natural place to live. Perth is the most vibrant community in the Rideau Lakes area with modern convenient shopping, good restaurants, quality health services, many cultural events and festivals.