Sun, Apr 26
|BMO Bank of Montreal
Stories of the Rising Village: A Walking Tour of Early Essex
Walk through downtown Essex and discover Talbot Street as it appeared in the formative years between 1873 and 1905. This guided walking tour explores key locations in the historic core of Essex, bringing to life the buildings, businesses, and personalities that shaped the early rising village.
Time & Location
Apr 26, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
BMO Bank of Montreal, 7 Talbot St N, Essex, ON N8M 1A5, Canada
About the event
Stories of the Rising Village: A Walking Tour of Early Essex
Sunday, April 26th from 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Host name: Laurie Brett
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/therisingvillage
Contact host: lbrett.risingvillage@gmail.com
Follow the course of Talbot Street through the formative years of the village of Essex, from its founding in 1873 to the early twentieth century. Though many original structures have been altered or lost, the historic core still holds the footprint of the Rising Village. At carefully selected locations, participants will be introduced to the shops, hotels, and commercial buildings that once lined the street, along with the merchants, tradespeople, and civic figures who gave the village its character and momentum.
Grounded in archival research and period accounts, this author-led tour reconstructs the streetscape as it existed in the late 19th century—the era of bustling storefronts, expanding commerce, and a rapidly growing community. Rather than a general overview, the walk offers a focused, story-rich exploration of Talbot Street as a living commercial corridor, revealing how familiar modern spaces evolved from the enterprises and ambitions of early Essex’s merchants and residents.
About the host:
Laurie Brett is the author of "The Rising Village: An Early History of Essex, Ontario" (2022) and “Familiar Places, Hidden Words: A Book of Word Search Puzzles about Essex, Harrow, Colchester McGregor and All the Places in Between (2025). She is the former publisher of the Essex Free Press (2004-2011), having succeeded her father, her great-uncle, and her great-grandfather in that role. Before joining the family-owned newspaper, Laurie worked as a law librarian and legal writing instructor at the University of Windsor. More recently, she managed corporate communications for the Town of Essex. Laurie is currently conducting research for a new book related to the history of Essex between 1895 and 1905.
Event type:
Jane’s Walk - One hour guided walking tour
Starting/Ending location of the walk:
Outside of the Bank of Montreal, 7 Talbot Street North (Southland Plaza)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KVfm864DYZEYqLPA9
Walking distance:
Participants can expect to walk 1 km.
Audience:
All ages welcome
Accessibility Notes:
Easy route: paved sidewalks/pathways, minimal hills
Wheelchair friendly: step-free route with curb cuts and wide path
Baby stroller friendly: paved paths and no stairs
Rest opportunities: there are benches/seats along the route
Is there a bathroom nearby?
No bathroom available
Where can attendees park?
Free parking lot at the starting/ending location
Are dogs welcome?
No dogs, please
Photo credit: https://swoda.uwindsor.ca/node/2661