View source for Elmira, Ontario

{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name          = Elmira
| other_name             =
| native_name            = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| nickname               =
| settlement_type        = Unincorporated community
| motto                  =
| image_skyline          = Elmira Street.jpg
| image_caption          =
| image_flag             =
| image_seal             =
| image_shield           =
| image_map              =
| map_caption            =
| pushpin_map            = CAN ON Waterloo#Canada Southern Ontario
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption    = 
| subdivision_type       = Country
| subdivision_name       = [[Canada]]
| subdivision_type1      = Province
| subdivision_name1      = [[Ontario]]
| subdivision_type2      = [[Regional municipality]]
| subdivision_name2      = [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo|Waterloo]]
| subdivision_type3      = Township
| subdivision_name3      = [[Woolwich, Ontario|Woolwich]]
| subdivision_type4      =
| subdivision_name4      =
| government_type        =
| leader_title           =
| leader_name            =
| established_title      = Settled
| established_date       = 1798
| established_title2     = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
| established_date2      = 1923
| area_magnitude         =
| unit_pref              =
| area_footnotes         =
| area_total_km2         =
| area_land_km2          =
| area_water_km2         =
| area_water_percent     =
| population_as_of       = 2016
| population_footnotes   = <ref name="census2016">{{cite web |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |title=Canada Profile, 2016 Census: Elmira, Ontario |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0258&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Elmira&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=PR&GeoCode=0258&TABID=1 |access-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref>
| population_note        =
| population_total       = 10161
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone               = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset             = -5
| timezone_DST           = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST         = -4
| coordinates            = {{coord|43|35|36|N|80|33|45|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes    = <!--for references: use<ref> </ref>  tags-->
| elevation_m            =
| postal_code_type       = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]]
| postal_code            = [[List of N postal codes of Canada|N3B]]
| area_codes              = [[Area codes 519 and 226|519 and 226]]
| blank_name             = [[National Topographic System|NTS]] Map
| blank_info             = {{Canada NTS Map Sheet|40|P|10}}
| blank1_name            = [[Geographical Names Board of Canada|GNBC]] Code
| blank1_info            = FEHOW
| website                =
| footnotes              =
}}

'''Elmira''' is the largest community in the township of [[Woolwich, Ontario]], Canada. It is {{convert|15|km|mi|0}} north of the city of [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]] near the [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo]]'s northern border with [[Wellington County, Ontario|Wellington County]]. The community was listed in the [[2016 Canadian census]] as having a population of 10,161.<ref name="census2016"/>

Waterloo Region is home to the largest population of Old Order Mennonites in Canada, particularly around St Jacobs and Elmira. They are often seen on the local roads using  traditional horse and buggy transportation; many also use horses to pull the implements in their farm fields.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://canadaalive.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/old-order-mennonites/ |title=Old Order Mennonites |website=Canada Alive! |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regionalGovernment/woolwich.asp |title=Township of Woolwich |publisher=Region of Waterloo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304141459/http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/regionalGovernment/woolwich.asp |archive-date=March 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gameo.org/index.php?title=Old_Order_Mennonites |title=Old Order Mennonites |website=Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO) |access-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolwich.ca/en/discover-us/Tours-and-Self-Guided-Tours.aspx |title=Tours and Self-Guided Tours |publisher=Woolwich Township |access-date=May 27, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209061126/https://www.woolwich.ca/en/discover-us/Tours-and-Self-Guided-Tours.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadianmennonite.org/stories/old-order-mennonite-groups-ontario-are-growing |title=Old Order Mennonite groups in Ontario are growing |date=December 1, 2015 |first=Barb |last=Draper |publisher=Canadian Mennonite Magazine|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woolwich.ca/en/living-here/About-Woolwich.aspx |title=About Woolwich |publisher=Woolwich Township |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209161256/https://www.woolwich.ca/en/living-here/About-Woolwich.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
The land on which Elmira is situated belonged to the [[Wyandot people|Huron/Wyandot]], then to the [[Mississaugas]] before it was acquired by the [[Iroquois|Iroquois/Haudenosaunee]] in 1784 through the [[Haldimand Proclamation]].<ref name="Filice">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Filice |first=Michelle |date=2016-06-03 |title=Haldimand Proclamation |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/haldimand-proclamation |encyclopedia=The Canadian Encyclopedia |publisher=Historica Canada |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref> 

[[File:Menno Horse.jpg|thumb|left|Mennonite Buggy]]

The first European settlers arrived in the late 18th century. In 1798, William Wallace was deeded {{convert|86078|acre|km2|0}} of land on Block Three of the Haldimand Tract for $16,364.<ref name="Filice" /> In 1806, Wallace sold the major portion of his tract to Mennonites from Pennsylvania, the so-called [[Pennsylvania Dutch]] (actually Deitsch or German). The buyers were Augustus Jones and brothers John and Jacob Erb, trustees for the German Company, who were among the first settlers from Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/001075/f2/e010780571_p2.pdf |title= County of Waterloo Gazetteer and General Business Directory|date=1864 |page=61|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>  Wallace sold {{convert|45185|acre|km2|0}} of land to the German Company at $1.00 an acre.

The village was settled in 1832 by Henry Christman and Edward Bristow.<ref>{{cite book |title= County of Waterloo Gazetteer and General Business Directory|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/001075/f2/e010780571_p3.pdf |date=1864 |page=202|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>  In 1834, Edward Bristow from Sussex, England<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcburney.ca/mcburney/3252.htm |title=Ancestors of Hannah Streater |publisher=Lloyd McBurney |access-date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=May 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520124135/http://www.mcburney.ca/mcburney/3252.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> purchased {{convert|53|acre|m2}} of land at this location for 50 cents per acre. He started the first store, tavern and potashery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elmira-on.worldweb.com/ |title=Elmira Travel Guide |website=Worldweb.com |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref> A community by the name of '''Bristow's Corners''' was already in existence in 1839 when a post office was assigned there. Local merchant Samuel Weber had been visiting [[New York State]] in the early 1850s and was apparently impressed with [[Elmira, New York]]. This may have been a factor in the decision of Woolwich Township council on February 22, 1853, to rename the community '''Elmira'''.

The post office opened in 1850. A historic property, Bristow's Inn was just land when it was sold by Edward Bristow to Jacob W. Bowman who first built a farmhouse there in 1860 (now 80 Arthur Street South, Elmira). In 1989 the structure was restored to its original appearance and became the Country Inn. Afterwards, the building was recognized under the [[Ontario Heritage Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=14579 |title=Bristow's Inn |website=HistoricPlaces.ca |publisher=Parks Canada|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

As in the nearby townships, [[Mennonites]] formed a significant proportion of the population.<ref>{{cite web |title=West Woolwich Mennonite Meetinghouse (Elmira, Ontario, Canada) |website=Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO) |url=https://gameo.org/index.php?title=West_Woolwich_Mennonite_Meetinghouse_(Elmira,_Ontario,_Canada) |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gameo.org/index.php?title=Elmira_Mennonite_Meetinghouse_(Elmira,_Ontario,_Canada)|title=Elmira Mennonite Meetinghouse (Elmira, Ontario, Canada)|website=Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO) |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Church Elmira.jpg|thumb|St. James Lutheran Church]]

In addition to Mennonites from Pennsylvania, the majority of settlers were from Germany by the 1850s. Families living in Elmira in that era included Oswald, Esch, Steffler, Dreisinger, Braun and Schedewitz. Many were Lutherans. By 1852 the St. James Lutheran Church had been built and was in operation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stjameselmira.ca/?page_id=31 |title=History |publisher=St James Lutheran Church, Elmira|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704052734/http://stjameselmira.ca/?page_id=31 |archive-date=July 4, 2016}}</ref>

The stores and tradesmen served farmers who lived in the surrounding area. The population in 1869 was about 450, increasing to about 1,069 by 1891. Major events that attracted people from outside the village included the Woolwich Agricultural Fair (since 1854) and the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival (since 1965) which is still held every year.<ref name="Elmira">{{cite web |title=Woolwich Township |url=https://www.waterlooregionmuseum.ca/en/collections-and-research/woolwich-township.aspx |website=Section: Elmira |publisher=Ken Seiling Waterloo Regional Museum |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

In 1861, the Elmira House (a large store) was erected as numerous artisans and merchants came to Elmira to earn a living.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vitacollections.ca/kpl-gsr/3307606/data?n=17 |title=Elmira House General Store |publisher=Kitchener Public Library |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref> As a result, Elmira became known as an 'enterprising' community. In December 1886, Elmira entered a new chapter of its history with the incorporation of the settlement as a village by charter.  At this date, the population of the newly incorporated village was 760 people.  Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, Elmira acquired a brass band (1873) and a library (1886, Elmira Mechanics' Institute) with an initial membership of 20 people. In 1913, a large Carnegie Library was built with grant money from American industrialist Andrew Carnegie.<ref name="library">{{cite web |url=http://www.rwl.library.on.ca/en/aboutus/resources/ElmiraBranchHistory.pdf |title=The History of Elmira Branch Library |publisher=Region of Waterloo Library |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228144416/http://www.rwl.library.on.ca/en/aboutus/resources/ElmiraBranchHistory.pdf |archive-date=December 28, 2013}}</ref>

By 1864, the village had a large tannery, a lumber mill, and three churches, two German
Lutheran and one Wesleyan Methodist and an elementary school. The population was 400.<ref>{{cite book | title = County of Waterloo Gazetteer and General Business Directory, For 1864 | publisher = Mitchell & Co. | year = 1864 | url = http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/001075/f2/e010780571_p3.pdf | pages = 203}}</ref> The railway arrived in the late 1800s, both the Grand Trunk and the Canadian Pacific. After this method of transportation became available, furniture manufacturing and other industries began to open.

In the early 1900s, North Waterloo County - the Kitchener, Waterloo, St. Jacobs, Elmira area - exhibited a strong German culture and those of German origin made up a third of the population in 1911. Lutherans were the primary religious group. There were nearly three times as many Lutherans as Mennonites by that time. The latter primarily resided in the rural areas and small communities.<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://waterlooregionww1.uwaterloo.ca/category/pre-1914/ |title=Waterloo Region Pre-1914 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2015 |website=Waterloo Region WWI |publisher=University of Waterloo |access-date=March 20, 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Gore Park Bandstand.jpg|thumb|right|Gore Park Bandstand]]
In 1908, the first cinema opened in Elmira. The Theatorium initially ran silent movies with music provided by a pianist.<ref name="flash">{{cite news |url=https://www.therecord.com/living-story/5959333-flash-from-the-past-go-window-shopping-on-elmira-s-main-street/ |title=Flash from the Past: Go window shopping on Elmira's main street |first=Rych|last=Mills |date=October 17, 2015 |publisher=Waterloo Region Record|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref> The Bandstand was built in 1912 by A.M. Bowman from a design prepared by members of the Elmira Musical Society. Located in Gore Park, it is a reminder of the centre of entertainment in a small town in the early 20th century. A brick post office opened in 1914 and its tower contained the town clock.<ref name="flash"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/4884532-waterloo-photo-exhibit-honours-people-in-vanishing-trades/ |title=Waterloo photo exhibit honours people in vanishing trades|first=Barbara|last=Aggerholm |date=September 27, 2014|publisher=Waterloo Region Record|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

The village was incorporated as a town in 1923, within [[Waterloo County]]. At that time, the population was 2500.

In 1973, the town of Elmira ceased to exist under the amalgamation that also formed the [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo]], replacing [[Waterloo County]]. Elmira became the administrative centre of Woolwich Township which increased in size at that time.<ref name="Elmira"/>

During the 1960s under contract with the [[U.S. government]], Elmira's [[United States Rubber Company|Uniroyal]] chemical plant (which changed its name to [[Crompton Company]] in 2001 and then to [[Chemtura]] in 2006) was one of seven manufacturers supplying the [[United States armed forces|U.S. military]] with the toxic herbicide [[Agent Orange]].<ref>{{cite news |title=DDT levels in Elmira's Canagagigue Creek much higher than previously thought|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ddt-levels-in-elmira-s-canagagigue-creek-much-higher-than-previously-thought-1.3187301 |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=August 11, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

Due to the poor disposal practices of the toxic waste associated with the manufacture of Agent Orange and other chemicals, contamination has seeped down to the aquifer in and around Elmira. This contamination, NDMA ([[N-Nitrosodimethylamine]]), forced local water wells to close in 1990. Water is now delivered via a pipeline from Waterloo and other near local areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/pet_128_e_28855.html |title=Clean-up of chemical contamination in Elmira, Ontario |publisher=The [[Auditor General of Canada]] |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202042904/http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/pet_128_e_28855.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/4959610-lessons-of-elmira-s-water-crisis-painful-costly/ |title=Lessons of Elmira's water crisis painful, costly |date=November 5, 2014 |first=Bob |last=Burtt |publisher=Waterloo Region Record|access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

==Local information==

The local schools include John Mahood Public School, Riverside Public School, St. Teresa RC, Park Manor Senior Public School, and [[Elmira District Secondary School]]. The secondary school draws students from the town and surrounding areas of St. Jacobs, Conestogo, Drayton, Winterbourne, Linwood, Heidelberg, West Montrose, Wallenstein, Yatton, Dorking and St. Clements.

The Elmira Library is a branch within the Region of Waterloo Library system. In 1911, the Elmira Library received a Carnegie grant after being supported by the local businesses for many years.<ref name="library"/>  It was expanded in 1978 to include a children's library and a meeting room. In 2008, an elevator was added to make the library accessible. In addition to WIFI, there are five public use internet stations in the library. Various programs are offered throughout the year, including children's programs.

==Woolwich Memorial Centre==
[[File:Woolwich Mem Centre.jpg|thumb|right|Woolwich Memorial Centre]]

The [[Woolwich Memorial Centre]] (WMC) is the Township of Woolwich's newest state-of-the-art facility comprising two NHL-sized ice surfaces, two pools, a fitness centre and walking track. The facility also includes a community centre, seniors centre, youth centre, Concourse Cafe, two meeting rooms and offices for minor sports teams.

==Economy==
Elmira is the industrial centre of Woolwich Township. Major employers include Trylon TSF,<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact: Corporate Office |url=http://www.trylon.com/contact/ |website=May 28, 2019 |publisher=Trylon TSF Inc.}}</ref> Sanyo Machine Works, Elmira Pet Products, Lanxess, Toyota Boshoku formerly Trim Masters, [[Engineered Lifting Systems & Equipment Inc|Engineered Lifting Systems]], and Southfield Windows & Doors. Since the 1970s, [[tourism]] has become an increasingly important industry in Elmira.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Hohol |first=Frances |date=1984 |url=http://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/296/ |type=M.A. thesis |publisher=Wilfrid Laurier University|title=Communities in transition: Elmira and St. Jacobs, Ontario: A study of resident and retailer attitudes toward tourism |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

==Sports==
[[File:NHL hockey.jpg|thumb|right|Hockey Arena]]
The local Jr. B Hockey team is the [[Elmira Sugar Kings]], named after the very successful Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. Woolwich Township, where Elmira is located, was selected as a Top 5 finalist for the 2009 Kraft Hockeyville contest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeyville/ |title=Kraft Hockeyville 2009 |archive-date=January 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116100556/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeyville/ }}</ref> Their 3rd-place finish earned them $25,000 in arena upgrades from [[Kraft Foods Inc.|Kraft Foods]]. The eventual winner was [[Terrace, British Columbia]], which received an NHL preseason game, $100,000 for arena upgrades, and broadcast of CBC's ''[[Hockey Night in Canada]]''.

Elmira has an active lawn bowling club. The Elmira Lawn Bowling Club is a member of District 7 of the Ontario Lawn Bowling Association.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elmira Lawn Bowling Club |url=https://www.elmiralawnbowlingclub.org/ |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

==Transportation==

Old Order Mennonites in buggies are a regular sight around the town.

[[Grand River Transit]] bus service was introduced to the town in April 2009 when the existing Route 21 to St. Jacobs, originating from Conestoga Mall in North Waterloo, was extended to Elmira. The days of service of the route were also increased from two days a week to six.

In 2018, Kiwanis Transit launched a free shuttle bus service throughout the town, designed as a feeder service to connect to the GRT Route 21.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8845662-kiwanis-transit-to-launch-free-bus-service-in-elmira/ |title=Kiwanis Transit to launch free bus service in Elmira |first=James |last=Jackson |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=17 August 2018 |access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref> This six-month pilot service was extended for another six months, and in September 2019 regional transit planners proposed that it be transformed into a permanent Grand River Transit route.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/grt-elmira-bus-service-2020-1.5269980 |title=Elmira bus pilot set to become regular Grand River Transit route: Regional report |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=4 September 2019 |access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref>

The [[Waterloo Central Railway]]'s tourist train also serves the town.

Elmira is an entry point for the Kissing Bridge Trailway, which runs between Guelph and [[Millbank, Ontario|Millbank]]. The Kissing Bridge Trailway is maintained by local community groups including the Elmira [[Lions Club]], and is part of the larger [[G2G Rail Trail]] which stretches along the route of the former [[Guelph and Goderich Railway]]. It passes through a number of other small communities including Ariss, West Montrose, Wallenstein, and Linwood.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kissingbridgetrailway.ca/use/location.html |title=Locations and maps |date=2012 |website=KissingBridgeTrailway.ca}}</ref> The trail has a [[stone chip]] surface and is advertised as suitable for walking, cycling, running, [[cross-country skiing]], and [[snowshoeing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kissingbridgetrailway.ca/index.html |title=Guelph and area trails |date=2012 |website=KissingBridgeTrailway.ca}}</ref>

==Maple Syrup Festival==
Each spring, since 1965, tens of thousands of people have gathered in Elmira, Ontario to celebrate the return of spring and maple syrup. [[Elmira Maple Syrup Festival]] is widely regarded as the World's largest Maple Syrup festival. In 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records designated the event as the largest single-day maple syrup festival in the world. A family event, the festival features: sugar bush tours; a half-mile long outdoor mall with vendors of local speciality food and crafts; a craft show; the Mayor's Maple Syrup contest; and of course the star of the day, pancakes and golden maple syrup.

Started as a way to promote the sticky spring delicacy, the syrup festival has always brought together volunteers from all parts of the community. The proceeds of their efforts go to support local charitable organizations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elmiramaplesyrup.com |title=Elmira Maple Syrup Festival |access-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==
===Actors===
*[[Lucas Bryant]] (1978 – ), known for his role of Nathan Wuornos in the TV series ''[[Haven (TV series)|Haven]]''

===Artists===
*[[Timothy Schmalz]] (1969 – ), sculptor best known for his ''[[Homeless Jesus]]'' that was installed at the [[University of Toronto]] in 2013

===Athletes===
*[[Derek Hahn]] (1977 – ), professional [[ice hockey]] player who won the [[Central Hockey League]] Most Valuable Player award in 2007
*[[Tyler Pasher]] (1994 – ), professional [[soccer]] player who was played for [[Sporting Kansas City]] and [[Houston Dynamo FC|Houston Dynamo]]
*[[Ric Seiling]] (1957 – ), professional [[ice hockey]] player for the [[Buffalo Sabres]] and [[Detroit Red Wings]]
*[[Rod Seiling]] (1944 – ), professional [[ice hockey]] player for the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], [[New York Rangers]], [[Washington Capitals]], [[St. Louis Blues]] and [[Atlanta Flames]]
*[[Walter Sieber]] (1933 – 2009), [[professional wrestler]] best known as Waldo Von Erich
*[[Darryl Sittler]] (1950 – ), professional [[ice hockey]] player for the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], [[Philadelphia Flyers]] and [[Detroit Red Wings]]; elected into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 1989
*[[Dan Snyder (ice hockey)|Dan Snyder]] (1978 – 2003), professional [[ice hockey]] player for the [[Atlanta Thrashers]]
*[[Cam Stewart (ice hockey)|Cam Stewart]] (1971 – ), professional [[ice hockey]] player for the [[Boston Bruins]], [[Florida Panthers]] and [[Minnesota Wild]]
*[[Dennis Wideman]] (1983 – ), professional [[ice hockey]] player for the [[St. Louis Blues]], [[Boston Bruins]], [[Florida Panthers]], [[Washington Capitals]] and [[Calgary Flames]]
*[[Keith Woodall]] (1926 – 1981), [[ice hockey]] player who won the bronze medal for Canada at the [[1956 Winter Olympics]]
*[[Jamie Wright]] (1976 – ), professional [[ice hockey]] player for the [[Dallas Stars]], [[Calgary Flames]] and [[Philadelphia Flyers]]

===Authors===
*[[Isabel Huggan]] (1943 – ), writer of ''The Elizabeth Stories'' (1984)

===Educators===
*[[François Charles Archile Jeanneret]] (1890 – 1967), 22nd [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of the [[University of Toronto]] from 1959 – 1965 
*[[Carl Klinck]] (1908 – 1990), made an  officer of the [[Order of Canada]] in 1973 and awarded the [[Royal Society of Canada]]'s [[Lorne Pierce Medal]] in 1978

===Journalists===
*[[Harry Albright]] (???? – ), journalist at the ''Elmira Independent'' when it won the [[Michener Award]] in 1990 and editor of ''[[The Friend (Quaker magazine)|The Friend]]'' from 1997 – 2004
*[[Malcolm Gladwell]] (1963 – ), staff writer for ''[[The New Yorker]]'' since 1996 and appointed to the [[Order of Canada]] in 2011
*[[Bruce Headlam]] (???? – ), media desk editor of ''[[The New York Times]]'' since 2008

===Musicians===
*[[Augustus Stephen Vogt]] (1861 – 1926), founded the [[Toronto Mendelssohn Choir]] in 1894 and was the musical director of the [[Toronto Conservatory of Music]] in 1913

===Politicians===
*[[Frederick John Mitchell]] (1893 – 1979), 25th [[Mayor of Edmonton]] in 1959
*[[Oscar Weichel]] (1894 – 1968), member of the [[House of Commons of Canada]] from 1958 – 1965
*[[William George Weichel]] (1870 – 1949), member of the [[House of Commons of Canada]] from 1911 – 1917 and the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 1923 – 1929
*[[Conrad Weidenhammer]] (1866 – 1919), member of the [[Legislative Assembly of Alberta]] from 1913 – 1917

• Earl Kelly [2006–present)  "King of                   Elmira" Born into the Kelly family on August 26, 2006,He was decided the king by the while town winning 87-13 voting charts in 2006.

===Producers===
*[[J. J. Johnson (producer)|J. J. Johnson]] (???? – ), creator of children's television series such as ''[[This is Daniel Cook]]'', ''[[Dino Dana]]'' and ''[[Endlings (TV series)|Endlings]]''

===Religion===
*[[Addie Aylestock]] (1909 – 1998), first woman minister ordained in the [[British Methodist Episcopal Church]] and first black woman to be ordained in Canada

==See also==
{{Portal|Ontario}}
* [[List of population centres in Ontario]]
* [[List of unincorporated communities in Ontario]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Elmira (Ontario)}}
* [http://www.woolwich.ca/ Township site]

{{Geographic location
| North  = [[Alma, Ontario|Alma]]
| West   = [[Wellesley, Ontario|Wellesley Township]],     [[Listowel, Ontario|Listowel]]
| Centre = Elmira
| East   = [[Guelph]]
| South  = [[St. Jacobs, Ontario|St. Jacobs]], [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]]
}}

{{WaterlooRegion}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Communities in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo]]
[[Category:Woolwich, Ontario]]