Brussels, Ontario

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Coordinates: 43°44′33″N 81°15′00″W / 43.742577°N 81.249948°W / 43.742577; -81.249948

Brussels Public Library

Brussels is a community within the Municipality of Huron East in Huron County, Ontario, Canada. It held village status prior to 2001.

History[]

Brussels incorporated as the village of Ainleyville in 1855, founded by William Ainlay. The name was changed in 1872 when a branch line of the Grand Trunk Railway from Guelph came through the community. Back in the late 19th century Brussels had a post office, a flour mill, a grist mill, a sawmill, a hair salon, and a fanning mill. The Ronald Streamer, a piece of firefight equipment, was made in Brussels.[1]

It was amalgamated into the Municipality of Huron East on January 1, 2001.

Brussels Public Library

Built with a Carnegie grant of $7000, the Brussels Public Library opened on January 14, 1910. It is one of only six in Ontario to have a corner entrance, a feature deemed extravagant by James Bertram, Carnegie's private secretary who ran the grant program. It was renovated in 2014.

Geography[]

Brussels is 85 km (53 mi) north of London and 69 km (43 mi) west of Kitchener. It is also 39 km (24 mi) east of the closest coastal town, Goderich on the shorelines of Lake Huron. It is 16 miles north of Seaforth and 5 miles north of Walton. Brussels is divided by Huron County Road 12, Brussels Line, and Huron County Road 16, Morris Road (west) or Newry Road (east). It is adjacent to the boundary for the municipality of Municipality of Morris-Turnberry.

Demographic[]

Population[]

The population of Brussels, previously Ainleyville, has gone through periods of growth and decline since its formation in 1855.

Graph of Population of Brussels (as of 2016)
Population of Brussels (as of 2016) - based on links cited in this section

Disputed Claims[]

  1. In the beginning (1855), it is rumored that Ainleyville had a population of over 800 residents, however, this is a disputed claim. The claim is disputed for two distinct reasons: (1) there has not been a provided citation in any reports or websites with regards to this claim and (2) the village founder, William Ainlay, purchased 200 acres of land in 1854[2][3][4] and laid out a town plot in 1855 - based on the timing of these events, it doesn't appear logical that over 800 people would move to a location that has no infrastructure in the late 1800s.
  2. Besides the disputed claim in 1855, many sources attempt to state that the population in Brussels through 1881 soared to around 1,800 residents,[5] however, relevant newspapers referring back to the official Canadian census state that the population reached a maximum of 1,290 during that year.[6]

Verified Information[]

Despite these disputed claims, population data from 1871 through to the most recent Canadian Census in 2016 has been made publicly available through archived newspapers and the Government of Canada.

The first available census, 1871, states that the population of Ainleyville was at 781.[7] The village went through a period of rapid growth over the following decade as the village grew to include a train station alongside related industries. This is confirmed with the 1881 census that claims the population was around 1,290.[6] (See Disputed Claims 2)

Over the following two decades from 1881 through to 1901, the population in the village varied from year to year with frequent growth and decline years ranging from a population of 1,290 in 1881 down to a population of 1,105 in 1901.[6][8][9][10][11][12][13]

The varying population numbers ended through the early twentieth century when the population started a steady decline up until the end of the 1930s. At the beginning of this decline period in 1910, the population was around 1,105 residents, however, this number dropped down to 780 residents in 1939; the first time the village seen resident numbers below 800 since the 1871 census.[9][14][15][16][17]

The population attempted to rebound for the next three decades (1940s-1960s), however, the village population couldn't quite surpass 850 residents. The village recorded 826 residents in 1941,[18] 813 residents in 1951,[18] 722 residents in 1955,[19] 844 residents in 1961[20] and 820 residents in 1966.[20]

Following this rebound attempt, the population of Brussels started a growth cycle which the community is yet to come out of as of 2016. Starting in 1971, the village recorded 911 residents growing back to above 1,000 residents in 1991, specifically 1,126 residents.[5][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]

Since the early 1990s until 2016, the population of Brussels has been steady within 100 residents, ranging from the lowest resident count of 1,126 in 1991 to the highest count of 1,170 in 2006.[28][29][30][31]

The most recent population estimate was 1,158 residents in 2016.[31]

Climate & Weather[]

Brussels consists of humid continental climate with four distinct seasons; winter, spring, summer, and autumn (fall).[32] The climate generally falls into the Dfb climate subtype.

Climate Average & Records[]

The community of Brussels (or the previous village of Ainleyville) has never been home to an official weather station from Environment and Climate Change Canada; however, there are nearby weather stations in Goderich and Mount Forest with previous weather data provided by the weather agency for the neighboring community of Blyth that encounter the same climate as Brussels.

Climate data for Brussels, 1981−2010 normals, extremes 1959−2010
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.0
(64.4) 		17.5
(63.5) 		24.5
(76.1) 		30.0
(86.0) 		32.5
(90.5) 		34.5
(94.1) 		36.5
(97.7) 		35.5
(95.9) 		34.0
(93.2) 		29.5
(85.1) 		21.0
(69.8) 		17.5
(63.5) 		36.5
(97.7)
Average high °C (°F) −3.8
(25.2) 		−2
(28) 		2.7
(36.9) 		10.7
(51.3) 		17.5
(63.5) 		23.2
(73.8) 		25.9
(78.6) 		24.8
(76.6) 		20.5
(68.9) 		13.2
(55.8) 		6.1
(43.0) 		−0.4
(31.3) 		11.5
(52.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −7
(19) 		−5.7
(21.7) 		−1.4
(29.5) 		6.0
(42.8) 		12.2
(54.0) 		17.7
(63.9) 		20.4
(68.7) 		19.5
(67.1) 		15.5
(59.9) 		9.1
(48.4) 		3.1
(37.6) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		7.2
(45.0)
Average low °C (°F) −10.2
(13.6) 		−9.4
(15.1) 		−5.5
(22.1) 		1.3
(34.3) 		6.8
(44.2) 		12.1
(53.8) 		14.8
(58.6) 		14.1
(57.4) 		10.5
(50.9) 		4.9
(40.8) 		0.1
(32.2) 		−6
(21) 		2.8
(37.0)
Record low °C (°F) −31.1
(−24.0) 		−36
(−33) 		−28.5
(−19.3) 		−16.1
(3.0) 		−5
(23) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		1.7
(35.1) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−10
(14) 		−16
(3) 		−28.5
(−19.3) 		−36
(−33)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 130.5
(5.14) 		93.8
(3.69) 		74.9
(2.95) 		84.5
(3.33) 		102.6
(4.04) 		81.5
(3.21) 		80.6
(3.17) 		101.4
(3.99) 		123.1
(4.85) 		102.0
(4.02) 		126.4
(4.98) 		145.6
(5.73) 		1,246.9
(49.09)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 26.1
(1.03) 		27.6
(1.09) 		37.6
(1.48) 		70.4
(2.77) 		102.3
(4.03) 		81.5
(3.21) 		80.6
(3.17) 		101.4
(3.99) 		123.1
(4.85) 		97.6
(3.84) 		84.7
(3.33) 		40.1
(1.58) 		872.8
(34.36)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 104.4
(41.1) 		66.2
(26.1) 		37.4
(14.7) 		14.1
(5.6) 		0.3
(0.1) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		4.4
(1.7) 		41.8
(16.5) 		105.5
(41.5) 		374.1
(147.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 16.9 13.1 11.7 11 11.2 9.3 8.8 9.3 11.9 12.7 15.5 17.4 148.6
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 4.0 3.4 5.4 8.7 11.2 9.3 8.8 9.3 11.9 12.5 10.9 5.9 101.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 13.8 10.5 7.0 2.9 0.12 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.77 5.2 12.9 53.2
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[33]

Tornadoes[]

As Brussels is located in Southwestern Ontario, which is located in Canadian Tornado Alley, meaning tornadoes are not uncommon to the region.

Confirmed Tornadoes (within 10 km (6.2 mi))[]

  • July 19, 2020 - an EF1 tornado touched down 14.7 km (9.1 mi) southwest of the town near Blyth before moving eastward and lifting off the ground, 7.8 km (4.8 mi) away from the town. The tornado destroyed a shed and damaged nearby crops.[34]
  • June 10, 2020 - an EF0 tornado touched down 2.1 km (1.3 mi) northwest of the town resulting in minor tree damage through Grey Township.[35]
  • July 23, 2001 - an F0 tornado touched down 6.8 km (4.2 mi) northeast of the town resulting in minor tree damage through Grey Township.[36]
  • May 30, 1978 - an F0 tornado touched down (or lifted) 3.8 km (2.4 mi) north of the town. Damage unknown.[citation needed]
  • September 26, 1970 - an F2 tornado passed just west and north of the town, within 1.7 km (1.1 mi) of the downtown. Damage unknown.[citation needed]

Notable people[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Apparatus". The Firefighters Museum, Winnipeg. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  2. ^ "Archives of Ontario: RG1, Series C-IV: Township Papers, ca. 1783-1870s: [Lot 1]". FamilySearch. 1854. Retrieved 2022-01-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Archives of Ontario: RG1, Series C-IV: Township Papers, ca. 1783-1870s: [Lot 2]". FamilySearch. 1854. Retrieved 2022-01-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "History | Brussels 150th Homecoming". Brussels Homecoming. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  5. ^ a b "Brussels population 344 in 1871". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1987-07-01. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  6. ^ a b c "The Ontario Census". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1882-02-24. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  7. ^ "Census of Brussels". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1872-12-13. Archived from the original on 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  8. ^ "Local News Items". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1886-05-14. Retrieved 2022-01-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b "Population of Huron County". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1917-05-31. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  10. ^ "Municipal Statistics". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1985-11-01. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  11. ^ "Local News Items". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1986-05-08. Archived from the original on 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  12. ^ "Local News Items". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1899-05-05. Archived from the original on 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  13. ^ "Local News Items". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1901-12-05. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  14. ^ "KODAKS". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1910-05-19. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  15. ^ Church (Canada), Methodist; Service, Methodist Church (Canada) Department of Evangelism and Social; Committee, Huron Survey; Evangelism, Presbyterian Church in Canada Board of Social Service and; Societies, Presbyterian Church in Canada Board of Sabbath Schools and Young People's (1914). County of Huron, Ontario; Report on a Rural Survey of the Agricultural, Educational, Social, and Religious Life. W. Briggs.
  16. ^ "Local News Items". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1921-03-24. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  17. ^ "School Rate Discussed". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1939-11-08. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  18. ^ a b "Exeter Tops Census Gain in Huron County". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1952-04-30. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  19. ^ "Huron Population is Higher; Towns, Villages Show Increase". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1955-06-24. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  20. ^ a b Government of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada. "Information archivée dans le Web" (PDF). publications.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  21. ^ "Base housing decision on OHC survey and report". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1973-02-14. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  22. ^ "Short Shots". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1974-07-24. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  23. ^ "Short Shots". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1976-08-18. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  24. ^ "Village population down". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1977-11-23. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  25. ^ Government of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada. "Information archivée dans le Web" (PDF). publications.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  26. ^ "Census shows Huron population down". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1987-07-01. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  27. ^ "Huron population statistics released". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1988-09-07. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  28. ^ a b "Tenders called for new sidewalks". pubdocs.huroncounty.ca. 1991-08-14. Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  29. ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and urban areas, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  30. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2012-02-08). "Statistics Canada: 2011 Census Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  31. ^ a b Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2017-02-08). "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Brussels [Population centre], Ontario and Ontario [Province]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  32. ^ "Ontario Climate". 2015-09-20. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  33. ^ "Blyth, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  34. ^ Miller, Scott (2020-07-22). "Investigators confirm fifth and sixth tornadoes from weekend storms". London. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  35. ^ Taccone, Amanda (2020-06-24). "Two additional tornadoes confirmed from storm on June 10". London. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  36. ^ Secretariat, Treasury Board of Canada. "Canadian National Tornado Database: Verified Tracks (1980-2009) - Public GIS EN - Open Government Portal". open.canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  • The Settlement Of Huron County by James Scott.
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