For five years, beginning in our Bicentennial year, the streets of Vittoria were graced with markers in front of the many historic locales in our hamlet, showing a vintage photo of what each property looked like and a well-researched description accompanying it. These markers were first designed, built and installed in 1996 by the Township of Delhi LACAC (Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee) as their contribution to honour our bicentennial. When the Vittoria & District Foundation came into existence as an outgrowth of our bicentennial, a Heritage Committee was among those formed by the new foundation. As one of its first endeavors, it was decided to revive this popular self-guided walking tour that LACAC had introduced. It became a tradition that these markers were installed for the Victoria Day weekend and remained in place until just after Thanksgiving.

The original twenty markers put up in 1996 were further enhanced with the addition of some six more, with plans in the works for further additions in the future. The original podium-style markers were designed and built by Dave Beckett and Grant Russell of Normandale, with the additional ones, as well as the unique multi-sided 'toadstool' unit in Lamport Park designed and built by Don Fort of Vittoria.

Research and photos accompanying the sites have been assembled by members of the Heritage Committee. Complementary Walking Tour brochures, guiding the viewer to the many sites in the hamlet and just beyond its boundaries, have now been prepared by the committee and are available at the Vittoria Post Office, the Vittoria General Store, the Vittoria Town Hall, Kernal Peanuts, the Eva Brook Donly Museum in Simcoe and Cottonwood Mansion in Selkirk.

This annual tour has been enormously popular with local residents and visitors alike, with many enthusiastic comments being passed on to Vittoria because of it. In fact, it is not uncommon for out-of-town visitors to have chance meetings with Vittoria residents while on the tour, who kindly share their knowledge and their 'home-town pride', much to the appreciation of the visitor. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to explore our fascinating history through this tour, please feel free to pick up a pamphlet at one of the designated locations, take a leisurely stroll through the streets of Vittoria and get a glimpse of our past.

You may also view the Walking Tour Brochure by clicking the link below. The file is fairly large so may take a few minutes to open.

Walking Tour Brochure