Introduction
An unidentified tobacco farm in Elgin County, 1956.
St. Thomas Times-Journal fonds, C8 Sh2 B2 F5 3a.
Tobacco was big business in Elgin County. A part of the tobacco belt, Elgin County tobacco farms contributed to the billions of pounds of tobacco that were produced in Ontario over the last century. Tobacco production was a major economic driver in the region and provided employment and income for hundreds of workers and farmers in the area. At its peak, Ontario tobacco producers grew over 200 million pounds of tobacco a year. However, taxation, increased importation and illegal contraband tobacco have contributed to the demise of a once thriving agricultural sector.
Instructions:
Click on the links to the left to explore the exhibit and learn more about tobacco in Elgin County. All images include a caption and finding aid information. You can use this information to locate the records either through the archives' website or on location.
Note:
This exhibit includes digitized images from the holdings of the Elgin County Archives in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. For more information, or to visit the archives in person, please contact Archivist Stephen Francom or visit the Elgin County Archives website.
All text and images on this site are fully owned and copyrighted by the Elgin County Archives. All rights reserved. The website is intended only for non-commercial study or research purposes, in accordance with the fair dealing provisions of the Canadian Copyright Act. Commercial use of any text or images found in this website, without express written permission, is strictly prohibited. Questions about copyright, reprint, publication or permission to use can be directed via e-mail to Archivist Stephen Francom .
Tobacco in
Elgin County :
Production :
- Preparation
- Transplanting
- In The Field
- Harvest
- Into the Kiln
- Flue-Curing
- Baling
- Crop Damage
- The Workers