The Garden of Canada (1800s - 1920s)

The Garden of Canada (1800s – 1920s)

For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Burlington and the surrounding communities of Nelson Township were known as “The Garden of Canada.” The region’s fertile soil, mild climate, and proximity to Lake Ontario made it ideal for agriculture. This area is part of the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples. Long before European settlement, Indigenous communities lived on and stewarded these lands, harvesting plants, fishing, and hunting in ways that sustained their communities and maintained relationships with the local environment.

With the arrival of European settlers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the landscape began to change as forests were cleared and land was converted to farms. Early settlers depended on subsistence farming, growing crops and raising animals that could sustain their families throughout the year.

As communities grew, farming gradually expanded beyond household survival. Surplus crops were traded locally or sold in nearby markets, especially in Hamilton. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, improved transportation, agricultural machinery, and expanding urban populations encouraged farmers to specialize in crops such as fruits and vegetables.

Market gardens and commercial farms began supplying produce to nearby cities, helping establish Burlington’s reputation as a productive agricultural region. These objects trace the evolution of farming—from early family farms to a thriving agricultural economy.

Early Settlement and Subsistence Farming

1976.46.4 A-B | c. 1915

Handwritten notes by A. W. Peart recording the recollections of William Lucas, dated January 25, 1915.

These notes describe early settlement in the Nelson and Burlington Heights area. They recount the arrival of Lucas’s grandfather from Nova Scotia in 1806 and describe the clearing of land for farming. The document also references early roads, farms, and community life, offering insight into how settlers established agricultural livelihoods in the region.
2017.16.48 A | c. 1876

This probate document records the will of Henry Richardson, a farmer in Nelson Township. The will outlines how his farm, livestock, and equipment were to be divided among his family. Such documents reveal how farms were often family enterprises, passed down through generations to maintain agricultural livelihoods and support future family members.

Farming Realities and Challenges

1976.46.23 A-B | c. 1916

Written by A. W. Peart for the Wentworth Historical Society, these notes describe severe farming challenges in 1916, including cold and wet weather followed by a three-month drought. The document highlights how farmers depended heavily on environmental conditions. Even in a region celebrated for its fertile land, agriculture remained vulnerable to unpredictable weather.
1985.82 | c.1910

Farmers relied on account books like this to record daily transactions, crop yields, and expenses. Careful record-keeping was essential to managing a farm, particularly as agriculture became increasingly commercial. These books document the financial side of farming and reflect how farms functioned as both homes and businesses.

Growth of Agricultural Markets

IHM1993.1.35 | c. 1919

This colourful postcard depicts a busy market day in nearby Hamilton. Farmers from Burlington and surrounding areas brought fresh produce to urban markets, helping supply growing cities with fruits and vegetables. The phrase “Garden of Canada” reflects regional pride in the agricultural productivity of the surrounding countryside.
1985.294.4 | c. 1917

This photograph shows farmers’ wagons waiting at Burlington’s railway station. Railways connected rural farms to urban markets, allowing produce and goods to be shipped quickly to nearby cities. Transportation networks such as these helped expand Burlington’s agricultural economy in the early 20th century.
2012.32.1864 | c. 1930

This black-and-white negative likely shows Bert Rusby’s Market Garden, which reportedly covered about 400 acres. The image shows bunches of celery stacked on pallets beside a pathway. Market gardens specialized in growing vegetables for sale in nearby markets, illustrating the shift from subsistence farming to larger commercial agricultural operations.

Agricultural Technology and Mechanization

1985.192 | c. 1903

A B C Book of Farm Machines is an illustrated booklet that introduces readers to a variety of farm machines produced by the Canadian company Massey-Harris. Agricultural equipment such as seeders, harvesters, and plows helped farmers cultivate larger areas of land and increase productivity as farming became more commercialized.
1985.85.1 | c. 1920

The International Harvester illustrated booklet describes farm machinery produced by the International Harvester Company. Mechanized equipment reduced labour and increased efficiency on farms. New technologies allowed farmers to cultivate larger fields and produce more crops to supply regional markets.
1985.87 | c. 1950

This booklet describes the invention of the mechanical reaper by Cyrus Hall McCormick. The reaper revolutionized grain harvesting in the 19th century by allowing farmers to harvest crops much faster than by hand. Innovations like this helped transform farming into a more productive and commercial enterprise.

Agricultural Identity and Community

1987.33 | c. 1902

“The Garden of Canada” Burlington, Oakville, and District book documents the agricultural history of Burlington, Oakville, and surrounding communities. The phrase “The Garden of Canada” reflects the region’s long-standing reputation for fertile land and productive farms. Publications like this preserve local agricultural history and celebrate the role farming played in shaping the community.
2022.10.3 | c. 1934-1959 pgs 52-53

“Leaves of Silver” book commemorates the first twenty-five years of the Halton Junior Farmers’ Association. The organization supported young people involved in agriculture, helping them develop farming skills and leadership. Groups like this strengthened agricultural communities and ensured farming knowledge was passed to new generations.