The history of Cowansville, began in 1798 with the arrival of one of the first pioneers of the area, Jacob Ruiter, son of a loyalist from New York. In 1806, the town was called Nelsonville, named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, who had died at the battle of Trafalgar.
In 1841, in order that mail not be delivered by accident to the village of Nelson (near Hamilton in Upper Canada), Peter Cowan, a rich merchant, named the post office Cowansville. In the following years the town got to be called by that name more and more. Cowansville was incorporated in 1876.
The first municipal conscellors was elected in February 1876. James O’Halloran, a lawyer from Ireland, became the first mayor. At that time, Cowansville was a commercial village. In early 20th century, it became an industrial center, due to the opening of many industries, of wich W. F. Vilas, J. J. Barker, Footwear Findings and Bruck Silk Mills.
June 25, 1931 : Cowansville village became officially a town. In 1922, Bruck Silk Mills settled down and in 1955 Roland Désourdy was elected as a mayor, Cowansville population grew a lot, going from 1094 residents in 1921 to 11 920 in 1971.
The histoy of Cowansville had some very important moments. Though, it highlights men and women who, led by their passion, their efforts and their convictions, build today’s Cowansville.
