Every small town has a story. We've mapped 984 of them.

people of small towns

You know their names. You've never been to their towns.

235 notable Canadians. The small towns that shaped them.

235+

profiles

984

Towns

200+

years of history

Alex Chicken · Moose Factory Bobby Orr · Parry Sound Roberta Bondar · Sault Ste. Marie L.M. Montgomery · Cavendish Joni Mitchell · Fort Macleod David Suzuki · Vancouver Wayne Gretzky · Brantford Buffy Sainte-Marie · Piapot Stompin’ Tom · Skinners Pond k.d. lang · Consort

What small towns mean to the people who grew up there

In their own words

Written for 1000 Towns of Canada

picture of david suzuki
ESSAY FOR 1000TOWNS

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We lost something, a strong sense of community and connection to place.

David Suzuki

   Scientist & TV Host

   Leamington, Ontario
picture of brett wilson
Personal address to 1000towns

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Wonderful place to raise the family in the 1950s — fond memories about Battleford and all things prairie.

W. Brett Wilson

   Dragons’ Den Panelist

   Battleford, Saskatchewan
Yann Martel
Personal address to 1000towns

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I’ve lived in small places, big places, centric places, eccentric places. I see the blessing and the curse in all of them.

Yann Martell

  Life of Pi Author

   Port Hope, Ontario

235 Profiles and Counting

From small towns across Canada

Celebrities, entrepreneurs, artists, athletes — the people who call small-town Canada home.

Jack Miner | Conservationist
📍 Kingsville, Ontario
Jack Miner | Conservationist
From Kingsville, Ontario John Thomas Miner, “Wild Goose Jack,” was a conservationist called by some the “father” of North American conservationism. He was one of…
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William Dillon Otter | Chief of the General Staff
📍 Clinton, Ontario
William Dillon Otter | Chief of the General Staff
From Clinton, Ontario General Sir William Dillon Otter became the first Canadian-born Chief of the General Staff, the head of the Canadian Militia. Born in…
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Rudy Wiebe | Writer
📍 Coaldale, Alberta
Rudy Wiebe | Writer
From Coaldale, Alberta Rudy Henry Wiebe is an author best known for his novels set in the Canadian prairies and his representations of First Nations…
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Jessica Stam | Model
📍 Kincardine, Ontario
Jessica Stam | Model
From Walkerton & Kincardine, Ontario Jessica Elizabeth Stam is considered to be part of the crop of models described as “doll faces”. In 2007 Forbes named…
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Bill Barilko | Leafs Defenceman
📍 Timmins, Ontario
Bill Barilko | Leafs Defenceman
From Timmins & Cochrane, Ontario The short, remarkable life of Leafs defenceman William “Bashin’ Bill” Barilko ended in tragedy just weeks after he became a…
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Bob Hooper | Pitcher
📍 Leamington, Ontario
Bob Hooper | Pitcher
From Leamington, Ontario Robert Nelson Hooper was a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1950 to 1955. Born in 1922 in Leamington, Ontario Died in…
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Robertson Davies | Writer
📍 Renfrew, Ontario
Robertson Davies | Writer
From Thamesville, Renfrew, Peterborough & Orangeville, Ontario William Robertson Davies is one of Canada’s most influential essayists and novelists. Davies was the founding Master of…
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William Thornton Mustard | Innovative Surgeon
📍 Clinton, Ontario
William Thornton Mustard | Innovative Surgeon
From Clinton, Ontario William Thornton Mustard developed two operations named for him: the “Mustard operation” in orthopedics used to help hip use in people with…
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Theo Tams | Canadian Idol Winner
📍 Coaldale, Alberta
Theo Tams | Canadian Idol Winner
From Lethbridge & Coaldale, Alberta Theo Tams is a singer and the winner 2008 Canadian Idol (sixth season of the CTV). Born in 1985 in Lethbridge,…
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Charles Tupper | Father of Confederation
📍 Amherst, Nova Scotia
Charles Tupper | Father of Confederation
From Amherst & Wolfville, Nova Scotia Sir Charles Tupper was the longest-surviving Father of Confederation. He led Nova Scotia into Confederation in 1867. He went…
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George Fox | Country Singer
📍 Cochrane, Alberta
George Fox | Country Singer
From Cochrane, Alberta William George Fox is a country/western music singer/songwriter. He was a leading figure in Canadian country music in the late 1980s and…
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Andrew Malcolm | Furniture Manufacturer
📍 Kincardine, Ontario
Andrew Malcolm | Furniture Manufacturer
From Kincardine & Listowel, Ontario Andrew Malcolm was the founder of Andrew Malcolm Furniture Company. The beautiful, Canadian-made furniture was used in many Canadian Hotels.…
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♥ There’s a small town in all of us

Even if you’ve never lived in a small town, you’ve been shaped by one — through a grandparent’s stories, a childhood visit, or a place that just felt like home. We’d love to hear your story.

#TheSmallTownInMe

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Any changes to the place info will be reviewed by 1000 Towns of Canada.