London is a city located in southwest
Ontario, Canada and it is considered to be the region's economic and cultural hub, a label
that began in the mid 19th century. Archaeological records reveal that London has
been inhabited for over 10,000 years by various Indigneous tribes such as: Haudenosaunee,
Anishnaabeg, and Lenni-Lenape.
The European settlement of London began in
1793 when it was discovered by Lieutenant-Governor John Graves who lobbied for it to be
the capital of
Ontario. His goal was not fulfilled and London was not officially founded until
1826. In the early
1840s, following the G“reat Fire of London,” the city rebuilt and re-strengthened with
new municipal powers. In
1848, a mayor and a town council were created and from
1854 to 1857, London introduced: street lights, a railway, the 1st London Volunteer Troop of Cavalry
(the First Hussars), and a Board of Trade. It was also one of the main places where the Board of Directors for the
Hudson's Bay Company was located. In
1866, London faced Fenian Raids.