Athens, Ontario

Athens, Ontario

Athens (2006 Population 3,086) is a township in Eastern Ontario, Canada. It is located approximately 25 km north of the St. Lawrence River, near Brockville, west of Addison, and about 90 km south west of Ottawa.

Formerly known as Farmersville. Benoni Wiltse, a United Empire Loyalist, and his brothers settled in this area in 1792. Farmersville was renamed to Athens in 1888 by Arza Parish in honour of Athens, Greece, because it was an educational centre with grammar school, a model school for teacher training, and a high school. Currently, it is known for a series of large outdoor murals depicting historical local life, painted on the sides of various buildings.

Each year, a summer fair is held, called "Cornfest". This fair celebrates the harvest of corn and is held on the 3rd Saturday of August annually.

Another celebration that is held each year is called Farmersville Exhibition, and is also known as "Steam Fair." This fair celebrates the agricultural heritage of the town, and includes steam engines and antique tractors. This takes place in July.

Athens has its own high school Athens District High School, which is under the Upper Canada District School Board, as well as a live entertainment venue the Joshua Bates Centre which features a series of live musical performances each year.

The community of Athens proper holds the status of a designated place, separate from the rest of the township, in the Canadian census.