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. 

Links

History of our Township

Keppel Township

The former Township of Keppel was settled around the year 1855, and was named after Admiral Sir Henry Keppel. Keppel developed around farming, small settlements, and various industries related to its unique natural resources. Shallow Lake in particular was established by Canada's first Portland Cement company due to it's marl deposits, and Clavering, by its timber industry. In 2001, Keppel amalgamated with two other townships to form the Township of Georgian Bluffs. 

Township of Sarawak

Sarawak Township was settled in the 1850's after being sold by auction in 1857 as part of Keppel Township. Historically, Sarawak separated from Keppel in 1868 due to the Township's growing tourism and marine industry. Sarawak Township was home to an important lighthouse at Presqu’ile, which guided sailors on Georgian Bay and marked the changing navigation seasons as the last light to close in fall and the first to reopen in spring. Sarawak Township is also historically located on the traditional lands of the family of the historical indigenous rights advocate Catherine Sutton, known by her Ojibway name as Nahnebahwequay. Sarawak Township amalgamated into Georgian Bluffs in 2001. 

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. 

  • The Village of Shallow Lake

    In the early 19th century, an Irish family settled beside a small creek that flowed into a shallow lake. Mr. and Mrs. Butterworth, along with their son John Spencer and his wife, were the first known settlers of what would later become the village of Stoney Creek.
    By Township of Georgian Bluffs - Apr 03, 2026
  • Sarawak Township

    Nahneebahweequay, also known as Catharine Sutton, was an Ojibwe (Anishnaabe) woman and early Indigenous rights advocate in the mid-1800s. Her name translates to “Upright Woman”. When government policies threatened to take away her family’s land in former Sarawak Township...
    By Township of Georgian Bluffs - Mar 06, 2026
  • Balmy Beach

    Pictured above is a Postcard from the Grey Roots Museum Archives of the King’s Royal Hotel in Balmy Beach, which opened on July 1st, 1902. Despite having no bar and a sobriety policy, it was considered ahead of its time for being the first hotel in Ontario to use electricity.
    By Township of Georgian Bluffs - Feb 06, 2026

Contact Us

Township of Georgian Bluffs
177964 Grey Road 18,
Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N5

Send Email to Georgian Bluffs
Phone: 519-376-2729
Fax: 519-372-1620

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. 

View More Details About this Event

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.

Submit a Photo

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. 

Barn Quilt Form

For more information contact communications@georgianbluffs.ca.