(
2001 population 29,676) is a
City on the
Avon River in
Perth County , in southwestern
Ontario ,
Canada . Both the city and the river were named when it was first settled in
1832 after
Stratford-upon-Avon ,
England , of Shakespearean fame. It is the seat of
Perth County .
Stratford was incorporated as a
Town in
1859 and as a
City in
1886 .
Originally a furniture manufacturing city and railway junction, tourism became a large part of the local economy when the
Stratford Shakespearean Festival started in
1953 . The annual festival now brings hundreds of thousands of
Shakespeare buffs to the area. The festival has had stars such as
Alec Guinness ,
Christopher Plummer and
William Shatner perform on its stage. The world renowned festival is played in four theatres throughout the city; the Festival Theatre, Avon Theatre, Tom Patterson Theatre and the Studio Theatre.
- Several celebrities hail from Stratford, such as NHL Hockey Player Tim Taylor , and the theatre has been known to host the performing acts of several well known actors. The theatre has also jumpstarted the careers of several of today's best known actors and actresses worldwide.
- Stratford is home of the OHA Junior B hockey team the Stratford Cullitons. The Cullitons have been an extremely successful team and have produced NHL superstars such as Chris Pronger and Rob Blake . Stratford also has an Intercounty Baseball League Team called the Stratford Nationals .
- The current mayor of Stratford is Dan Matheson.
- The first mayor of Stratford was John Corry Wilson Daly .
- The swan has become a main symbol of the city, with 24 white swans and two black swans released into the Avon River every spring by their honorary keeper, Mr. Robert J. Miller.
- Thomas Alva Edison briefly worked as a telegraph operator for the Grand Trunk Railway at Stratford's railway station.
- Famed Canadian news anchor Lloyd Robertson got his start in broadcasting at the local radio station (CJCS) in 1952.
- Current residents include CBC newsanchor Peter Mansbridge and wife Cynthia Dale , as well as Hollywood and theatre actor Colm Feore and his family.
- There are three local newspapers; ''The Beacon Herald'', ''The Stratford City Gazette'', and ''Inside Stratford-Perth''.
- Stratford's three secondary schools are Stratford Central SS, Stratford Northwestern SS home of renowned Screaming Advacado Cafe and cuisine program, and St. Michael's Catholic SS.
(based on single responses)
In September 2005, Stratford hosted the ,
Blue Rodeo ,
Ronnie Hawkins and
Colin James .
- 1828 - Settlement begins.
- 1832 - Thomas Mercer Jones, an agent of the Canada Company , names the village "Stratford" and renames the portion of the Thames River running through it "The Avon River."
- 1849 - The Perth County News is Stratford's first weekly newspaper.
- 1853 - Perth County is created, with Stratford as its county seat.
- 1854 - Stratford is incorporated as a Village .
- 1859 - Stratford is incorporated as a Town .
- 1885 - Stratford is incorporated as a City with a population of 9000.
- 1918 - A gift from a Michigan CNR employee, Swan s come to live in Stratford.
- 1933 - The army is called in to end a general strike.
- 1936 - The Shakespearean Gardens are created.
- 1953 - The Stratford Shakespearean Festival Theatre is opened by a Stratford journalist, Tom Patterson .
- 1957 - The Festival moves into its first permanent structure.
- 1964 - The CNR shops close.
- 1997 - Nations in Bloom crowns Stratford the "Prettiest City in the World."
- 2001 - The Stratford Festival of Canada celebrated its 50th season welcoming 672,924 patrons to 18 plays.This was a record number of playgoers during the 50 seasons. The Avon Theatre realized a complete renewal and The Studio Theatre, a fourth theatre space seating 250 people was added.
City of Stratford Ontario Canada -
Information About Stratford Ontario Canada -
Restaurants in Stratford Ontario -
Theatres in Stratford Ontario Canada
