Explore Elgin

Historically, Elgin was called “Halladay’s Corners” for the family that settled there in the early 1800s.

Even though the Rideau Canal was constructed some distance away, its development brought dozens of quarrymen and teamsters to a camp nearby where they quarried thick strata of Cambrian sandstone. These ashlars were transported to Jones Falls for the construction of the great dam and locks, as well as the locks at Davis and Chaffey’s. In 1850, a post office was established, and the community was officially named after the Eighth Earl of Elgin, James Bruce, Governor General of Upper Canada, 1847–1854. Situated just off Highway 15, in the heart of corn country, Elgin remains a thriving village. Visit the Rideau Lakes Public Library for information, public washrooms and free Wi-Fi.