Brant County is a municipal district located in southwestern Ontario, Canada. With a population of over 35,000 people, Brant County contains the city of Brantford as well as several smaller communities. The county has a rich history and is known for several things that make it stand out in the province.
Agriculture
Agriculture has long been an important industry in Brant County. The county contains some of the most fertile agricultural land in Ontario, making it well-suited for farming. Brant County is famous for producing several agricultural products including:
- Tomatoes – Brant County contains one of the largest concentrations of greenhouses for growing tomatoes in all of North America. Millions of pounds of tomatoes are produced here every year.
- Wheat – Brant County’s fertile farmland allows it to be a major producer of wheat in Ontario. Soft red winter wheat thrives in the region. The wheat industry here dates back to the 1800s.
- Sweet Corn – Brant County’s warm summer climate makes it ideal for producing sweet corn. Many local farms grow and sell fresh sweet corn in the summer months.
- Ginseng – Brant County accounts for over 70% of all ginseng production in Canada. The moist, shady landscape provides ideal growing conditions for this valuable crop.
- Asparagus – Many farmers in Brant County have fields dedicated to growing asparagus, which thrives in the sandy soils. Fresh asparagus is available seasonally at local markets.
In addition to crops, Brant County is also known for its livestock production including beef cattle, dairy cows, pigs, and chickens. Several large livestock and poultry operations are located throughout the county.
Manufacturing
Brant County has a strong manufacturing industry thanks to its proximity to major transportation routes and cities. Some of the major manufacturing companies located in Brant County include:
- Ferrero Canada – Makers of popular chocolate and candy brands including Tic Tac, Nutella, and Kinder. Their Canadian headquarters and production facility is located in Brantford.
- Apotex Pharmaceuticals – One of the largest drug manufacturers in Canada. They have a major facility in Brantford that produces prescription drugs.
- Procter & Gamble – Their paper products plant in Brantford produces well-known brands like Pampers diapers and Bounty paper towels.
- ArcelorMittal Dofasco – A large steel producer whose Brantford plant rolls over 1 million tons of steel each year.
- Supremex Inc. – Leading producer of stock and custom envelopes. They operate a large production facility in Brantford.
These large-scale manufacturers provide significant employment and have helped establish Brantford and Brant County as a manufacturing powerhouse.
Brantford Glass
Brantford is famous for its high-quality glass production thanks to its skilled local glassblowers. Some key facts about Brantford glass include:
- The first glass furnace was built in Brantford in 1848, making it one of Canada’s earliest glass producers.
- Brantford glass gained acclaim after Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in Brantford in 1874. Brantford glass was used for insulators on Bell’s telephone lines.
- The Brantford Glass Company operated from 1874 to 1912 and was one of the top glass producers in Canada at the time.
- Handblown decorative glass pieces were an area specialty thanks to the artistry of Scandinavian glassblowers who settled in Brant County.
- Collectors today still prize Brantford glass pieces, including insulators, bowls, vases, and more.
The quality craftsmanship of Brantford glass helped establish the city’s reputation in the late 1800s as an important glass producer.
Transportation
Brant County has played an important role in transportation over the years:
- It was along important Native American trails like the Great Trail (also called the Warriors’ Path) prior to European settlement.
- The Grand River served as an vital early transportation route connecting Brant County to Lake Erie.
- The first rail line reached Brantford in the 1850s, helping it develop into an industrial hub.
- The arrival of major roads like Highway 403 and the QEW linked Brant County to Toronto and the United States.
- Today the Brantford Airport and surrounding roads allow for easy transport of both goods and people.
Transportation has long been a key advantage for manufacturers and farmers located in Brant County. It has facilitated development of the region’s economy over the past two centuries.
Telecommunications History
As the site where the first telephone was invented, Brant County has an important place in the history of telecommunications:
- In 1874 in Brantford, Alexander Graham Bell made the first long distance call to test his prototype telephone.
- Bell later opened his first telephone company office, the Dominion Telegraph Co., in Brantford in 1877.
- The first long distance phone line in Canada was opened in 1877 between Brantford and Mount Pleasant, over 18 km away.
- Brantford telephone historian Bill Locke operates the Bell Homestead National Historic Site which contains many important early telephone artifacts and equipment.
- To this day, Brantford proudly promotes its status as “the Telephone City” and birthplace of this revolutionary technology.
The groundbreaking experiments Graham Bell carried out in Brant County helped pioneer the telephone industry and usher in the modern era of telecommunications.
Local Attractions
In addition to its important economic contributions, Brant County also contains several recreational and cultural attractions:
- Brantford Golf and Country Club – One of Canada’s oldest golf courses, founded in 1879. Host to many provincial tournaments over the years.
- Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant – Contains a large permanent collection of Canadian art including the works of local Brantford artists.
- Paris Fairgrounds – Home to the annual Paris Fair which hosts harness racing, rides, exhibitions and more. The fair has run since 1853.
- Woodland Cultural Centre – Museum celebrating the history and culture of the Indigenous peoples of the region and Canada.
- Bell Homestead National Historic Site – This museum at the site of Graham Bell’s experiments and inventions contains telecommunications exhibits and history.
These and other attractions bring in tourism and allow residents to enjoy arts, culture, and recreation right in their own community.
Local Sports
Brant County has a proud sports tradition as well:
- The Brantford Golden Eagles hockey team played in the Ontario Hockey League during the 1970s and 1980s, developing future NHL stars.
- Wayne Gretzky began his legendary hockey career playing for the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers as a teenager before reaching the NHL.
- Pro golfers have come out of Brantford including Stan Leonard who won the British Open in 1949.
- Paris, Ontario is considered the birthplace of bat and ball sports in Canada and is home to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Brantford hosted the Muhammad Ali vs. George Chuvalo heavyweight boxing match in 1966.
The passionate sports culture in Brant County has nurtured many talented athletes over the generations.
Education
Brant County is home to one university and several other post-secondary institutions:
- Wilfrid Laurier University – Brantford Campus – Offers undergraduate programs in a variety of subjects including business, contemporary arts, science, and social work.
- Nipissing University – This teacher education provider has a satellite campus in Brantford.
- Conestoga College – Operates a small skilled trades and apprenticeship campus in Brantford.
- Mohawk College – Mohawk has an aviation campus at the Brantford Airport.
These schools help provide local educational opportunities in Brant County across various fields and disciplines.
Annual Events
Some of the popular annual events that take place in Brant County include:
- Brantford International Villages Festival – Two-day festival in July showcasing food, music, dancers and more from cultures around the world.
- Ironman 70.3 Triathlon – Brantford hosts an Ironman triathlon every July that attracts athletes from across North America.
- Brantford Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade – Large November parade with floats, music, and appearance by Santa Claus.
- Brant Studio Tour – Self-guided tour on two weekends each May where local artists open their studios to visitors.
- Burford Harvest Festival – Street festival in the town of Burford each September with live music, market and car show.
These popular events attract both residents and tourists while celebrating community spirit and heritage.
Historic Architecture
Brant County contains many noteworthy historic buildings showcasing unique architectural styles:
- The Bell Homestead in Brantford – Alexander Graham Bell’s home from 1874-1876, containing his study and workshop.
- St. Paul’s Anglican Church (Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks) – Oldest Protestant Church in Ontario, built in 1785 in Brantford.
- Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant – Former estate home built in the early 1900s for businessman William Southam.
- Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts – Originally a vaudeville theatre built in 1919, converted to a performing arts theatre.
- The Armoury – Historic 1932 military building in Brantford that is still used by the local reserve unit.
Brant County’s 19th century buildings provide a glimpse into the past while still serving the community today.
Local Cuisine
Brant County has some unique culinary offerings:
- Peanut Butter was invented in 1884 in Montreal by Marcellus Gilmore Edson of Brant County.
- Brantford is known for its quality bread thanks to its soft winter wheat. Local bakeries like Ferraro’s continue this breadmaking tradition.
- The area is known for its apple orchards and many baked goods feature local apples like pies, muffins, and cakes.
- Brant County corn is popular in the summer, including corn on the cob and corn chowder.
- Chef Kurtis Parsons, native of Brant County, won TV show Chopped Canada in 2016 bringing recognition to the area.
The agricultural roots of Brant County provide inspiration for many classic local menu items still enjoyed today.
Famous People
Brant County has been home to many notable individuals over the years:
- Alexander Graham Bell – Inventor of the telephone who lived and worked in Brantford from 1874-1876.
- Wayne Gretzky – Hockey legend who was born and raised in Brantford.
- Phil Hartman – Well-known comedian and Saturday Night Live performer who was born in Brantford.
- Tommy Douglas – NDP pioneer and father of Canadian healthcare who lived in Brantford as a child.
- Pauline Johnson – Noted poet born on the Six Nations Reserve who celebrated her Mohawk heritage.
The innovators, athletes, performers, and other figures who came from humble beginnings in Brant County went on to achieve national and global fame.
Native American History
First Nations people have inhabited Brant County for thousands of years. Key facts about the Native American history of the region include:
- The area was inhabited by Five Nations Iroquois tribes before European settlement including the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida and Seneca.
- Chiefs Joseph Brant and John Norton led the Six Nations people who resettled here after the American Revolution.
- Brant’s Crossing was an important part of the Great Trail network of indigenous trade routes.
- Reserves such as Six Nations and New Credit are located within Brant County today.
- Local museums like Woodland Cultural Centre celebrate the art, culture and languages of First Nations communities.
The shared history between European and First Nations settlers over the past two centuries helped shape Brant County.
Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
The small town of Paris within Brant County is home to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. Some key facts:
- It was founded in 1983 by historian Tom Valcke who wanted to honor Canadian baseball history.
- The Hall of Fame museum contains artifacts, photos, and records highlighting great Canadian players, teams, and moments.
- Toronto Blue Jays Scout and Coach Bobby Prentice is a member honoured for his work developing Canadian talent.
- The Hall of Fame grounds contain a baseball field and life-sized statues of Canadian baseball legends.
- Paris also hosts an annual Homecoming weekend in August with celebrity guests and events for baseball fans.
The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame celebrates how the sport has shaped Canadian culture and honours outstanding contributors.
Conclusion
From agriculture to manufacturing, sports to the arts, Brant County has made many significant contributions. Its history as the birthplace of the telephone, home to ingenious inventors like Alexander Graham Bell, and its role in local industries like glass and farming have made it an important part of southwestern Ontario.
With its strong communities, important historic sites, and blend of small town charm and modern industry, Brant County offers the best of many worlds. Both a culturally vibrant region and vital economic hub, Brant County has helped shape Canada’s growth and identity in many ways over the past two centuries.