Delta, Ontario

History

The original name for Delta was Stevenstown, chosen for its founder, Baptist Clergyman Abel Stevens. Stevens, a British Loyalist from Vermont, New Hampshire, settled in the area in 1796, attracted by Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe's offer of free land in Upper Canada. Within 2 years, Stevens had convinced about 100 families to relocate to the region. Among many of his achievements, Stevens founded the village's first mill (the predecessor to the Old Stone Mill, built by William Jones, not by Stevens as is commonly mistaken), a Baptist church in neighbouring Philipsville, and an iron-works in what is now known as Lyndhurst.

Delta saw a few name changes during its early years. After the construction of the stone mill, the name of Stevenstown was changed to Stone Mills. In 1821, it was changed once more to Beverley, in honour of the Legislative Assembly member Sir John Beverley Robinson. Then, finally, in 1886, the name was changed to Delta, after an application for a town post office was rejected upon the discovery that a village already existed by the name of Beverley. 'Delta' was chosen because the shape of the two Beverley Lakes, connected by the village, resembles triangles - the shape of the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, delta.

From early 1888 through to mid-1952, Delta was served by the Brockville, Westport & Sault Ste Marie Railway. The village had one of the larger stations on the line. Today, sections of the train bed serve as roads and/or paths used by all terrain vehicles.

The village's Old Stone Mill saw use for over 150 years, from 1810 thru 1963, and played an important role in the area's harvesting needs. In 1963, Hastings Steele, the mill's final owner, deeded the property to a group of trustees for $1 for the purpose of retiring the building and beginning the process of its restoration.

Another influential local business was the Confederated Foods syrup bottling plant, employing many residents for decades and providing an extra attraction to the village's annual maple syrup festival.

Attractions, Events and services

One of the main attractions in Delta is the Old Stone Mill National Historic Site. Built in 1810, the old mill has been restored to its former glory by the Delta Mill Society, a non-profit volunteer group. The mill is open to the public from the Victoria Day long weekend in May to Labour Day in September and during special Delta events (Maple Syrup Festival, Delta Harvest Festival and Celebrating the Season). In addition to its impressive architecture, it features an operating water wheel and mill stones. Heritage grain is ground into flour using the old mill stones several times during the season.

Delta's largest event is its agricultural fair, held annually at the end of July. Operated by the Delta Agricultural Society, originally the fair's location rotated between Delta, Athens and Gananoque. Delta eventually became its permanent home, and in 1911 the Society purchased the current fair grounds. The fair continues to attract thousands of people every year, helping to sustain the local economy and heritage.

The Delta Maple Syrup Festival is held on the third weekend in April celebrating the sweet taste of spring. Beginning as a 1967 national centennial project, the Delta Maple Syrup Festival also attracts thousands of tourists to the village each spring. As well as celebrating the wonderful combination of syrup and pancakes, the festivities include entertainment and family activities.

The Delta Harvest Festival is held on the Saturday of the weekend prior to the Thanksgiving Long Weekend. It is a celebration of the fall harvest, an important event for a community with deep agricultural roots.

Celebrating the Season is held on Saturdays in late November and in December. The main feature is Lower Beverley Lake Park which is magically lit with over 80,000 lights. Local churches put on an evening meal for each Saturday.

Other attractions and services in both the village and area include: