Charles Rankin 1797-1886
This pioneer surveyor was the pathfinder who opened much of this region to settlement. Born in Enniskillen, Ireland, Rankin came to Upper Canada with his family at an early age. He was appointed a deputy provincial surveyor in 1820 and at first worked in the southwestern section of the province. In 1833 he began surveying the Nottawasaga Bay area and settled on some 80 ha of land west of the present town of Thornbury. His more important surveys included; several townships in the present county of Grey; the Garafraxa Colonization Road; the town plot of Sydenham (Owen Sound); the Toronto-Owen Sound Road; the Muskoka Road; and the town plot of Southampton.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Ontario Plaques. Full page here.