Zorra

Zorra is a township in Oxford County, situated in south-western Ontario, Canada. A predominantly rural municipality, Zorra was formed in 1975 through the amalgamation of East Nissouri, West Zorra and North Oxford townships. It is best known for the Highland Games weekend held each summer in Embro, celebrating the heritage of the Scottish pioneer families which grew from the 1830s to form nearly a quarter of the county's population.

For the song, see Zorra (song).

Zorra
Township (lower-tier)
Township of Zorra
Embro
Embro
Flag of Zorra
Flag
Official logo of Zorra
Logo
Zorra is located in Southern Ontario
Zorra
Zorra
Coordinates: 43°09′N 80°57′W
Country Canada
Province Ontario
CountyOxford
Formed1975
Government
 • MayorMarcus Ryan
 • Federal ridingOxford
 • Prov. ridingOxford
Area
[1]
 • Land528.94 km2 (204.22 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total8,138
 • Density15.4/km2 (40/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern Standard Time (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT))
Postal Code
N0J, N0M
Area code(s)519, 226, 548
Websitewww.zorra.on.ca

Government

The municipal government is led by a mayor and a councillor from each of the township's four geographic wards:[2]

  • Ward 1: Southern portion of township, the former North Oxford township (including Banner, Golspie), excluding Thamesford
  • Ward 2: Thamesford
  • Ward 3: Northwest portion of township, the former East Nissouri township (including Kintore, Uniondale)
  • Ward 4: Northeast portion of township, the former West Zorra township (including Embro, Maplewood)

Marcus Ryan is the current mayor, following the 2018 Ontario municipal elections.[3]

Communities

The township comprises the communities of Banner, Bennington, Brooksdale, Brown's Corners, Cody's Corners, Dicksons Corners, Dunn's Corner, Embro, Golspie, Granthurst, Harrington, Harrington West, Holiday, Kintore, Lakeside, Maplewood, McConkey, Medina, Rayside, Thamesford, Uniondale, Youngsville, and Zorra Station.

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
20068,125—    
20118,058−0.8%
20168,138+1.0%

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Zorra had a population of 8,628 living in 3,162 of its 3,284 total private dwellings, a change of 6% from its 2016 population of 8,138. With a land area of 529.19 km2 (204.32 sq mi), it had a population density of 16.3/km2 (42.2/sq mi) in 2021.[4]

Cultural resources
  • Thamesford Public Library:[5] 165 Dundas Street, Thamesford. A branch of the Oxford County Library.
  • Embro Public Library : 135 Huron St., Embro. A branch of the Oxford County Library, it is located in the former Embro Town Hall.
  • Harrington Community Library : 539 Victoria St, Harrington. A branch of the Oxford County Library. Located in the former Broadview United Church that was built in 1924.
  • Harrington Schoolhouse (Community Centre) : 963624 County Road 96. The Old Stone School; initially referred to as S.S. number 17, and subsequently renumbered S.S. number 4, was originally constructed of logs in the mid-1800s. An entrance was located at the north side of the school, and a box stove was used for heating. In 1869, a contract was granted to enlarge the school with a stone addition, to address seating, lighting and other requirements. Purchased by several local residents to be used as a community centre, after the formal closure of one room schools.
  • Thamesford District Recreation Centre: 85 Middleton street the Haverford arena the skatepark located beside it is a popular location for teens to make out passionately

Schools include the Zorra Highland Park Public School, Thamesford Public School, A. J. Baker Public School and St. Joseph's Catholic School.

Attractions
  • Embro Highland Games, hosted annually by the Zorra Caledonian Society[6]
  • Embro Truck & Tractor Pull[7]
  • Wienerfest Dog Festival, celebrating the world of Dachshunds to provide funding for pet rescue[8]
  • Garagefest, an annual local music festival to raise funds for various charities[9]
  • Embro Fall Fair[10]
  • Calathumpian a celebration of Thamesfords heritage and history

Famous people

See also

References
  1. "Zorra census profile". 2016 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  2. Corporation of the Township of Zorra, Township Council
  3. "Certificate of election results" (PDF). 23 October 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  4. "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  5. "Oxford County Library > Branches & hours > Thamesford". www.ocl.net. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  6. "Embro Highland Games". Zorra Caledonian Society. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  7. "Embro Truck and Tractor Pull". Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  8. "Wienerfest Home County Festival". Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  9. "Garagefest". Facebook. Retrieved June 25, 2019.[self-published]
  10. "Embro Fair". Embro & Zorra Agricultural Society. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  11. "Seeing red". cbc.ca. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
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