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27 · Friday, February 19, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com A history of Downtown Downtown Oakville is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ontario. There is something new to try and enjoy around every corner, on any day. However, Downtown Oakville is more than a relaxing atmosphere and sought-after destination, it is a historic landmark with an interesting past. The Downtown core is home to many historic sites, one of which is the harbour. In 1827, Colonel William Chisholm (1788-1842) bought 960 acres of land from the Crown at the mouth of the Sixteen Mile Creek on Lake Ontario to establish a port, shipbuilding yard, and the village of Oakville. This location gave promise for a centre for trade, commerce, and travel. And so today the harbours of Downtown Oakville remain prominent and remind us of the goals for our town. Today, the life and exploits of Colonel William Chisholm stand immortalized in Oakville's Erchless Estate. It is a four-acre estate home and gardens set on the shores of Lake Ontario in Downtown Oakville. The Museum preserves and interprets the town's history through the heritage and home where William Chisholm himself raised a family. Erchless was home to six generations of the Chisholm family over a period of 130 years. Today, visitors to the Oakville Museum can take a guided tour of Erchless, the Chisholm Family Home, which is authentically restored to the elegance of its 1925 appearance. The downtown core is not just a seasonal attraction, but a year-round spectacle. It is a productive, active, and central hub of Oakville life all 12 months of the year and no one knows this better then those lucky enough to live along its historic streets. As Oakville continues to age, downtown will stay a main attraction for all those who visit. The harbours, museums, and historic streets are areas of emphasis within Oakville and reflect where we came from and where we are going. Ready when you are: the new MBTs. w Our family friendly Smart Home System One controller, for your whole home right at your fi fingertips. It's home automation and this Control 4® system is available exclusively at Canadian Sound. From one room to your whole house, you decide how much you want to automate. Visit our store to see home technology at its finest. fi Come try them at Smart Whole Home Solutions from Canadian Sound exclusive dealers of Oakville www.footsolutions.com 213 Lakeshore Road East Downtown Oakville 905.844.7600 85 Navy Street, Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6J 2Z2 www.canadiansound.com www.canadiansound.com (905) 339-FOOT (3668) Open Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday. To see the Spring/Summer 2010 collection of shoes for men, women and children, please visit one of our other area locations: ECCO Heartland Outlet Mississauga 905-507-9995 ECCO Sherway Gardens Etobicoke 416-620-9997