Douro Township Hall

The Douro Township Hall was built in 1871 – at a cost to taxpayers of only $368 – to replace a hall destroyed by fire. For the next 94 years, it remained the home of the Douro Township Council, the building in which council meetings were held and tax, road duty, and other records were stored. In 1874, the secret ballot was introduced for federal elections and for provincial elections in Ontario. Prior to this, members were elected by an open “show of hands.”

The Union Jack, Canada’s official flag until 1957, flies over this building, and a portrait of Queen Victoria hangs on the wall above the council table.