Ontario's oldest settled county leaves a legacy for the people of 2117.
A time capsule commemorating Canada's 150th birthday was buried Friday during ceremonies at the Essex County Building in Essex. The ceremony was part of a huge family event that not only celebrated Canada150, but also the 225th birthday of Essex County.
Essex County was created in 1792 and is the oldest incorporated county in the province, predating Canada's confederation by 75 years. Not only that, but county warden Tom Bain passed along another history lesson.
"Did you know that Essex County Rd 20, which some of us old-timers may think of as Kings Hwy 18, was the first road to be laid out in all of Ontario?" asked Bain.
County chief administrative officer Brian Gregg says the capsule buried Friday contains material celebrating the county in whole as well as in part.
"The contents of the capsule feature artifacts from all seven of our local county municipalities," says Gregg. "The capsule also holds treasures that are testament to the county as a whole and our ability to work collectively."
Artifacts representing LaSalle, Tecumseh, Lakeshore, Essex, Amherstburg, Kingsville and Leamington were included in the capsule, which was buried on the northwest corner of the county building grounds, marked with a marker denoting the date and the date in 2117 when the capsule would be dug up.
The time capsule burial was just one focal point of the county's Canada150 party. A community barbeque took place on the county building grounds complete with kids' activities. The Memorial Cup was also on display, accompanied by the Windsor Spitfires' mascot Bomber.
Following the capsule ceremony, people in colour-coded t-shirts formed a human pattern in a nearby field, making out the Canada 150 logo, while a drone hovered over.