Tara, Ontario
| Tara | |
|---|---|
| Community | |
|
View of Yonge Street | |
| Motto: Tarry Awhile in Tara | |
| Coordinates: 44°28′43″N 81°08′44″W / 44.47861°N 81.14556°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| County | Bruce |
| Municipality | Arran-Elderslie |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.39 km2 (0.92 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 226 m (741 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 1,037 |
| • Density | 434/km2 (1,120/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Area code(s) | 519 |
Tara is an unincorporated community in southwestern Ontario, Canada. At the 2011 census, it had 1,037 residents and 458 dwellings.[1] Within the municipality of Arran-Elderslie, it is a designated place located on the Sauble River, with an area of 2.39 km², and an urban area that covers 63.5 km².
Tara is in the federal electoral riding of Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound.
Tara's public elementary school is the Arran-Tara Elementary School, in the Bluewater District School Board; there are no secondary or Catholic separate schools in Tara.[2]
The Arran-Tara Agricultural Society holds an annual fair, the Arran-Tara Fall Fair; it was first held in 1858.[3]
The Tara Santa Claus Parade is held every year on the first weekend of December.
The village of Tara has four churches:[4]
- Christ Anglican Church, affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada in the Parish of Chesley, Tara, Paisley, Desboro and Walter's Falls" located at #56 County Rd 17
- Tara United Church, affiliated with the United Church of Canada
- Knox Presbyterian, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church of Canada
- Tara Mennonite Church
History
Richard Berford and John Hamilton were the first European settlers to move onto and survey the lots of the future village of Tara. The opening of the road from Southampton to Owen Sound in 1852 helped the early growth of the community, as the village is located approximately half-way in between the two larger towns. Shortly after, Hamilton opened a hotel, serving the incoming settlers of the surrounding townships.[5] A post-office opened in 1862 with the name, Eblana, however it was changed the following year to Tara, after a town in County Meath, Ireland which served as the seat of Irish royalty.[6] In 1880, the local newspaper, The Tara Leader was first published, and the following year the railroad was built to the community and the first locomotive arrived.[7]
Among Tara's famous residents is former hockey legend Cyclone Taylor, a professional hockey player in the early 20th century.[8]
Notable former resident - Jeff Sprung now known as "Jeff Kelly" is a radio personality currently residing in London working for 975 Virgin Radio (Bell Media) as the afternoon drive show host weekdays 2-6 pm. Previous to his role he worked in London, Barrie, Winnipeg, and Ottawa. He attended Arran Tara Elementary School and Chesley District High School.
Notes
- 1 2 "Designated places: Ontario". Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
- ↑ "Arran-Tara Elementary School". Bluewater District School Board. Retrieved 2005-06-08.
- ↑ "Arran-Tara Agricultural Society". Arran-Tara Fall Fair. Retrieved 2005-06-08.
- ↑ Muir, Cathy. "Churches and Parishes In Bruce County". Bruce County GenWeb. Retrieved 2005-06-08.
- ↑ Robertson, 274-275.
- ↑ Robertson, 274-276.
- ↑ Robertson, 277.
- ↑ Perkins, Mary Ellen (1989). Discover Your Heritage: A Guide to Provincial Plaques in Ontario. Dundurn. ISBN 0920474500.
References
Robertson, Norman. The History of the County of Bruce. Owen Sound: Richardson, Bond, and Wright, 1971.
Coordinates: 44°28′N 81°8′W / 44.467°N 81.133°W