Exeter is a community in the municipality of South Huron, in the southern portion of Huron County, Ontario, Canada, located approximately 50 kilometres north of London. The community proclaims itself the "Home of the White Squirrel", owing to the presence of the unusually-coloured mammals. Exeter's mascot, "Willis The White Wonder", can be seen at many community events throughout the year, including Canada Day celebrations, the Exeter Rodeo, and the Santa Claus Parade.
Exeter was first founded in the winter of 1832 by the Irish settlers James and Jane Willis accompanied by the explorer Sir Michael Jacques. By 1853, Exeter had grown into a community of over 300 with the help of Isaac Carling bringing immigrants from the Exeter and Devon areas of England.The original Carling homestead, a designated historical landmark still stands on Huron St.W. It was on July 1, 1873, when the villages north and south of the Ausable River (Francistown and Exeter respectively) merged to form the Village of Exeter. Exeter eventually became a town of over 4,700 people. Paintings of some of Exeter's historical citizens, by the late artist Harry Burke, may be seen at the Exeter Legion Hall.
Exeter is located on the north-south Highway 4. At the north end of the community, Highway 4 intersects with County Road 83. This intersection of Highway 4 and County Road 83 is the busiest intersection in Huron County.
Freight train service is provided by the Goderich-Exeter Railway, connecting to Canadian National Railway service at London, Stratford and Toronto. The line running through Exeter is most commonly used by the Hensall District Co-Operative.
The closest local airfield is at Centralia/James T. Field Memorial Aerodrome, south of Exeter in Huron Park. Closest major international airport is London International Airport.
Exeter is served by scheduled bus service to Owen Sound and London.
Exeter Times-Advocate - Exeter's local newspaper, owned by Metroland Publishing. This paper publishes once-weekly, on Wednesdays.
The Examiner - Formerly the Exeter Examiner, first issue published in 2015. This paper is not associated with the Times-Advocate and serves the larger area around Exeter.
Cable television is provided by Eastlink TV and includes local community station ETM Television.
CKXM-FM 90.5 "myFM" - Exeter and area local news coverage, adult contemporary music
CKNX-FM 101.7 "The One" - local, regional and national news and adult contemporary music
CIBU-FM 94.5/91.7 "The Bull" - local, regional and national news and classic rock music
Exeter Hawks - Exeter's junior hockey team that plays in the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League
Exeter Mohawks - Exeter's Senior Hockey team that plays in the Western Ontario Athletic Association Senior Hockey League.
Exeter Express - Exeter's senior baseball team plays in the Southwest Senior Baseball League.
Harriet Brooks (1876–1933), early pioneer in nuclear physics
Charles Trick Currelly (1876–1957), founder and first Curator of the Royal Ontario Museum
Allan Pickard (1895–1975), member of the Hockey Hall of Fame
Donald Fleming (1905–1986) Canadian Federal Finance Minister, Governor of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund official
Tim Long, executive producer and writer, The Simpsons
Paul De Lisle (b. 1963), bassist for Smash Mouth
Harry Burke renowned artist
Marc Pepin (b.1958), The first male tennis player inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame
David Shaw (1982-2001), N.H.L. hockey player.
John A MacNaughton (1945–2013), investment banker and founding President and CEO of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
Landmarks
MacNaughton Park, including scenic gardens
South Huron Hospital
2 golf courses
Exeter Curling Club
Morrison Dam Conservation Area
Restored Town Hall
Carling House
Huron Tractor Ltd.
South Huron District High School Home of the Panthers. This fully inclusive 7-12 school has a population of just over 400 and provides rich academic, athletic, technological, and arts programming. Specialized programs such as Specialist High Skills Major, Dual Credit, College Team Taught courses, and Coop provide students with alternatives to meet their interests and needs. The school achieves high EQAO results, and is recognized for successes in extra curricular programs like music, drama, mental health awareness, GSA, and sports. Currently the school provides one-to-one technology for all students in grades 7-10 with the aim to have one-to-one technology in the hands of all students by 2018.
Exeter Public School
Precious Blood Catholic Elementary School
