Quarter-Century Anniversary
Celebrating 25 Years of Georgian Bluffs
On January 1, 2001, the Townships of Keppel, Sarawak, and Derby came together through amalgamation to form the Township of Georgian Bluffs. This year marks the quarter-century anniversary of our Township. We will celebrate and recognize this milestone with a barbecue and movie night, community photograph collection, and a series of barn quilt installations around our Township.
History of our Township
Keppel Township
Township of Sarawak
Derby Township
Derby Township's settlement began in the 1840's, earlier than it's amalgamation counterparts Keppel and Sarawak Townships. Derby Township has a long history of pioneer settlement and farm industry. Inglis Falls, Menonite Corner/Squire and Jackson are the most notable hamlets in the former township aside from the more recent auto-industry driven Sunset Strip. Menonite Corner was once a community hub home to a post office and the Salem Women's Institute. Inglis Falls was also a staple for energy using the thundering waterfall for hydro power, and the Sunset Strip was once home to a popular fur industry. Derby joined with Keppel and Sarawak townships in 2001 to form Georgian Bluffs.
The Township of Georgian Bluffs
On January 1, 2001, the three Townships amalgamated to form Georgian Bluffs. Our Township is best known for scenic landscapes, farmland, forests, and shoreline, longstanding industries, family owned businesses, and close-knit communities. Deeply rooted. Sustainably growing.
Keep reading about the history of Georgian Bluffs
Historical Articles
Below are articles about the history of Georgian Bluffs featured in our Township Monthly Newsletters. Click each title to view the full article. To subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter, visit www.georgianbluffs.ca/subscribe.
Photo Gallery
Upcoming Events & Initiatives
25th Anniversary Community Barbecue & Movie Night
What to Expect:
- Hotdogs & Hamburgers from a local beef farmer
- Side Salads from Heat N' Eat
- Ice Cream from Elsie's Diner
- Pop & Juice available by donation to the Hepworth Home & School Association
Join us for a community meal of hotdogs, hamburgers, and salads and bring a picnic blanket and your lawn chairs too! There will be yard games, an unveiling of one of our barn quilts, speeches, and a nostalgic slideshow starting at 7:00 p.m. Afterwards, watch a movie that came out the same year as the amalgamation... any guesses which movie it is?
This event is sponsored and made possible by Hutten Land & Shore.
Community Photo Gallery
We are accepting submissions for a historical community slideshow, which will be aired at the 25th Anniversary Community Barbecue on June 6, 2026. If you have some old photos of your softball team, community organization, or really any photos from living in Georgian Bluffs, submit them to the gallery and come see them up on the big screen.
Barn Quilts
For the 25th Anniversary of our Township, we are installing Barn Quilts at facilities and green spaces around Georgian Bluffs. Barn quilts have a longstanding history in rural places, using bright colors and geometric patterns to visually display the values of a place.
This initiative represents the history and unity of our communities, so in that spirit we are inviting community groups and individuals to volunteer their time to help paint the barn quilts. The first Barn Quilt will be unveiled at the 25th Anniversary Barbecue at Shallow Lake Arena; the rest to follow over the year.
For more information contact communications@georgianbluffs.ca.