The Founding of Walkerton
In 1850 Joseph Walker came here to the Durham Road where it crosses the Saugeen River. He built an inn and contracted to build two bridges and a part of the road. He and his son William were in 1851 granted free lots and later allowed to buy adjoining property. Joseph Walker built a sawmill in 1852 and added a grist-mill the following year. Two stores were opened and "Brant Post Office" was established. Subdivisions were registered by Joseph Walker and others in 1857 when the name of the post-office was changed to Walkerton. The community was proclaimed the "county town" of Bruce County in 1866, and Walkerton was incorporated as a Town in 1871.
Plaque via Alan L. Brown's site Ontario Plaques. Full page here.