Burlington is best known for its waterfront, but there is a lot more to the story. Here are 14 fun facts about Burlington, Ontario, from how the city got its name to a Hollywood cameo, a famous dance hall, and a marching band with a record of its own. Whether you have lived here for decades or just moved in, you might learn something new.
Fun Facts About Burlington's Name and History
1. Burlington Is Named After an English Town
In 1792, John Graves Simcoe, the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, named the western end of Lake Ontario "Burlington Bay" after the town of Bridlington in Yorkshire, England. By the turn of the 19th century, the name was already in common use.
2. Joseph Brant Is Often Called the Founder of Burlington
Joseph Brant, or Thayendanegea, a Mohawk military and political leader, was granted the 3,450-acre Brant Tract on Burlington Bay in recognition of his service to the British during the American Revolutionary War. He spent his later years in the area, and the city still celebrates Joseph Brant Day in early August. For more on how the city grew from there, read the surprising history behind Burlington, Ontario.
3. Burlington Started as a Village of About 750 People
On September 9, 1873, the villages of Wellington Square and Port Nelson merged to form the Village of Burlington, home to just over 750 people. By 1914, it had grown into a town of about 2,100 and elected its first mayor, Maxwell Charles Smith.
4. Burlington Was Once a Fruit-Growing Powerhouse
Burlington was long recognized as one of the finest fruit-growing districts in Ontario, and farm produce was shipped from its lakeside ports. By 1967, the last cash-crop farm within the city had been replaced by a shopping centre, yet about half of Burlington is still rural today.
5. Modern Burlington Was Created in 1958 and Became a City in 1974
On January 1, 1958, the Town of Burlington joined with Nelson Township and part of East Flamborough Township, including Aldershot, to create the city's modern boundaries. Burlington officially became a city in 1974 with a population above 100,000. According to the 2021 census, it is home to 186,948 people, making it the 28th largest city in Canada and the 13th largest in Ontario.
Fun Facts About Burlington's Landmarks
6. The Skyway Was Billed as the Longest Bridge in Canada
When the Burlington Bay Skyway opened on October 30, 1958, it was billed as the longest bridge in Canada at about 8,400 feet. It carried a toll until 1973, and a second, parallel span was added in 1985. It was officially renamed the Burlington Bay James N. Allan Skyway in 1988, but locals simply call it the Skyway.
7. The Burlington Canal Took Years to Build
Work on the Burlington Canal began in 1826 and was completed in 1832, creating a shipping channel between Lake Ontario and Burlington Bay. The lift bridge that crosses it today was built in 1962, and when it lifts, lake freighters pass just metres from shore.
8. A Legendary Dance Hall Once Stood Where Spencer Smith Park Is Today
The Brant Inn on Lakeshore Road was one of the biggest venues in Canada for international performers, hosting legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Liberace during its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s. Today, Spencer Smith Park occupies its former location. Learn more in the history of Spencer Smith Park.
9. Spencer Smith Park Had a Starring Role in X-Men
In the original 2000 film X-Men, the waterfront at Spencer Smith Park was used for the Liberty Island exteriors, which means Burlington stood in for New York. Read the full story in our post on when Burlington stood in for New York in the original X-Men movie.
Fun Facts About Burlington's Culture and Nature
10. Royal Botanical Gardens Is Canada's Largest Botanical Garden
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is headquartered in Burlington and is described as the largest botanical garden in Canada. In 1930, King George V granted permission to use the word "Royal" in its name, and RBG is the only botanical garden in Canada with that honour. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1993.
11. Mount Nemo's Cedars Are More Than 1,000 Years Old
Along the cliffs of Mount Nemo Conservation Area, ancient Eastern White Cedars have been growing for more than a thousand years. Conservation Halton banned top-rope climbing at the park to help protect them. If you want to see them yourself, check out our guide to hiking near Burlington.
12. The Art Gallery of Burlington Holds the Largest Collection of Contemporary Canadian Ceramics in the World
Founded in 1978, the Art Gallery of Burlington has built a collection of more than 4,000 works of contemporary Canadian ceramics, which it describes as the largest comprehensive collection of its kind in the world.
13. Burlington Is Home to Canada's Oldest and Largest Youth Marching Band
The Burlington Teen Tour Band gave its first performance on December 15, 1947, with 75 members. It has grown into Canada's oldest and largest youth marching band and has represented Burlington in countries including England, Ireland, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
14. Ribfest Has Served More Than 150,000 Pounds of Ribs
Canada's Largest Ribfest, held at Spencer Smith Park around Labour Day weekend, once served more than 150,000 pounds of ribs over just four days.
Burlington Facts FAQ
What Is Burlington, Ontario Known For?
Burlington is known for its Lake Ontario waterfront, Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, Royal Botanical Gardens, the Niagara Escarpment trails at places like Mount Nemo, and big community events like Canada's Largest Ribfest.
How Did Burlington Get Its Name?
It comes from Burlington Bay, which John Graves Simcoe named in 1792 after Bridlington, England. The community that grew beside the bay took the name.
When Did Burlington Become a City?
Burlington became a village in 1873, a town in 1914, and a city in 1974.
What Movies Were Filmed in Burlington?
Spencer Smith Park appeared in the original X-Men film from 2000, where it was used for the Liberty Island exteriors.
Is Burlington Rural or Urban?
Both. Burlington sits between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment, and about half of the city is rural.
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Please note that the information in this blog is for general guidance only and may not always be up to date or accurate. We recommend double-checking details directly with local cities, businesses, or official sources before making any plans or acting on the information. We are not a news outlet, and while we do our best to make sure information is accurate, sometimes we make mistakes. It is always best to verify with official sources. The inclusion of any business, individual, event, or service on the Burlington 365 platform does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of its quality, performance, or reliability. Users are solely responsible for conducting their own research and due diligence before engaging with any third-party businesses or services listed on the platform.