Woodstock (Ontario)
Woodstock is a town with 38,000 inhabitants in the south- western part of the Canadian province of Ontario. It is located about 140 km southwest of Toronto, 45 km east of London (Ontario) and 70 km north of Lake Erie. The town of Woodstock is the center of the embossed of Agriculture county Oxford County, while its administrative headquarters.
The main traffic route from Toronto to the border crossings into the United States between Windsor and Detroit, the (Highway ) 401 Woodstock opens with four exits to the south. Here also the Highway 403 branches off to the east, an alternative highway to the Greater Toronto branch in Hamilton at the border crossings across the Niagara River.
Woodstock is widely surrounded by farmland, mainly arable land. The formerly dominant in the surrounding dairy farming led to the designation capital of the Canadian dairy industry ( Dairy Capital of Canada). Meanwhile Woodstock is dominated by light industry and services and is called The Friendly City
History
The first settlements are detectable around 1800. 50 years later, about 1000 people were present and in 1900 Woodstock had 9,000 inhabitants. In the old town core of rectangular road network are still remarkable remains of Victorian architecture exists, including the market building, Courthouse, City Hall and former prison, and some streets with generous, some park-like town houses of the time. Since the establishment of Woodstock is its entire length by a broad and perfectly straight main street, Dundas Street crossed. Meanwhile, the formerly existing there focus of the commercial life has shifted almost completely in newly developed areas on the outskirts. What remains are still some banks, offices, restaurants and small shops.
Economy
The largest employer in Woodstock is the automaker Toyota with a large assembly plant for the North American market. Toyota employs about 2,400 people in this facility. Other commercial settlements are automotive, transportation companies, distribution centers (including the main spare parts store for Canada by General Motors ) and various enterprises of light industry and construction. The broadly drawn industrial areas are mainly located on both sides of the highway and on the eastern outskirts open out Dundas Street.
In the vast surrounding areas of intensive agriculture is operated. Predominant are large farms, which mainly grow corn and various beans. In between there are few dairy cattle, pigs or poultry holding companies. From the former dominance of this industry on the city Hardly any traces available to a feed mill on the railway line. Immediately place on the northwestern outskirts of Woodstock in September each year a large agricultural exhibition held the Canada Outdoor Farm Show.
Parks and Recreation
At the northern edge of an approximately 500 m wide and 5 km long dam was built for flood control of the Thames River, the Pittock Reservoir. Suitable for bathing shore parts are enclosed and accessible to admission. In summer water shortage, the water may be contaminated and is then closed to bathers. The drain this reservoir winds on the western edge by a rarely encountered floodplain, which is freely accessible as a park, on which, however, is also the municipal wastewater treatment plant.
The Southside Park is the largest urban open terrain with a large duck pond, recreational and picnic area. Also in the south, a conference center is located with several halls, the Woodstock District Community Complex. Are on the outskirts and in the immediate surrounding areas - usual for this region - several golf courses available. On the main road to the north, on Highway 59, is a sports complex with soccer fields and building complex, which is operated by the Woodstock Soccer Club.
Climate
The continental climate is characterized by snowy winters with a long frost period and relatively warm, sometimes humid summer months, so air conditioning are standard in buildings. Since the surrounding agricultural land is mostly drained, it may lead to sudden flooding during heavy rain. In the summer, longer droughts can occur. The climate, in connection with the soil conditions favoring the occurrence of mosquitoes, so that windows are generally fitted in homes with mosquito nets. The temperature differences to the relatively cool in summer Great Lakes often lead to a daytime steady winds and calm in the late afternoon hours.
Public Buildings and Transportation
As a local center of a large number of public schools, churches and government agencies are available. In the south of the city, close to the highway, in 2011 a hospital was opened, which can cover a population of about 55,000 people circle.
An urban bus network serves as a public transport system within the city. Not present are cycle paths. Generally, cycling is - except for sports purposes - unusual. There is also a station on the VIA Rail Canada on the route Toronto -Windsor, but offers few connections per day. The public long-distance transport, in particular for Toronto Airport 125 km away, is practically covered only private bus lines.
Former prison, now health department
Market Hall built in 1900
Station
Court built in 1892