Founded in 1794, this community was first established as a saw and
grist mill community. Paul Averill would operate the first successful grist mill venture during the start of the 19th century. Historic plaques in the community provide further details. The local high school is called
Waterford District High School and its teams are collectively called the
Wolves. Founded in 1892, its sports teams were once collectively called the
Redmen. The high school started out with only 58 students. A high school rugby program was initiated in 1991 by teacher David Zeldon and is considered to be one of the most dominant teams in the NSSAA boys' rugby league. This community sits on the old
Canada Southern Railway, preceding various other rail company takeovers, the latest of which was by CN/CP. The now idle line passes through Ontario between
Buffalo, New York and
Detroit, Michigan. An electric railway, Canadian Pacific's Lake Erie and Northern Railway, once operated in Waterford; the official fare from
Galt to Waterford was a mere C$1.05 ($ in the day's gold-money) while taking it to nearby
Simcoe cost C$1.25 plus taxes (C$43.25 in today's gold-money equivalent at US$1250 per ounce and C$1.33 to US$1 exchange rate). The Lake Erie and Northern Railway had discontinued passenger service in April, 1955. 1961 saw the overhead wire de-energised and trains run using CP diesel-electric locomotives. The Lake Erie and Northern's line between Brantford and Waterford was abandoned in 1965. CP trains then ran between Brantford and Waterford on the Toronto Hamilton and Buffalo Railway, crossing over the Canada Southern via crossovers onto a connecting track to rejoin the LE&N just south of the steel bridge over the CASO. The TH&B also ran passenger train service between Hamilton and Waterford, that service being discontinued in 1954. The area surrounding the town is primarily agricultural land, with
tomatoes,
tobacco and
corn among the chief crops. Area farmers generally suffered from the decline of the tobacco industry, but natural health and organic crops are being explored, such as
ginseng, as well as lavender and wine grapes. Many non-essential services and businesses would traditionally close their operations one hour earlier on Wednesday afternoons in order to allow workers to have time with their families; this tradition would cease during the 1970s as extra demand for services and economic recessions would force most business owners to adopt a seven-day work week. In 1979, a freak
tornado swept through Waterford, devastating trees, homes, and public property.
Pumpkinfest During the middle of October, locals celebrate Pumpkinfest. Pumpkinfest was originally inspired by a festival of the same name in Connecticut, and brought over by Blanche Deveraox. A huge "pumpkin pyramid" of 1500 carved pumpkins is an annual tradition for this fall festival. A
car show and a
soap box derby are some of the other attractions at Pumpkinfest. Many stores, restaurants, banks and the LCBO dealership observe this festival as a boost to the local economy. ==Climate==