Heritage and Culture

In 2023, Mayor Walter McKenzie made the motion to council to name the Boardroom in the new Municipal Office after the acclaimed Hugh Edighoffer. This prestigious designation honours Hugh's service to our community and province.

The Motherwell Wall is a prominent building feature in the new West Perth Municipal Office building. This wall pays homage to the community of Motherwell, the history of small village general stores, and the legacy of 1800's Crediton brick seen throughout West Perth and Southern Ontario.

The Motherwell store was built in 1886 by John Pettapiece on the east side of the North Thames River at Lot 24, Concession 17, Fullarton Township. The yellow brick came from Crediton, and was common in this area among homes and other buildings built in the late 1800's to the early 1900's. It's signature butter yellow colour comes from a limestone deposit near Grand Bend. Most communities obtained their brick from local brick yards using local clay. The buff or yellow brick found so commonly in southwestern Ontario has less iron in it than the clay that produced the orange or red brick seen in other areas.

Originally built as a general store and four-bedroom dwelling, the use of the building evolved over the years include a barn, post office, shoe repair business, and grocery. Upper Thames River Conservation Authority purchased the property from Charles and Jean Skolly in 1978. The Motherwell Store was taken down in the spring of 2022 and the yellow brick was salvaged for use as a feature wall in the new West Perth Municipal Office. The Motherwell Wall pays homage to the community of Motherwell, the history of small village general stores, and the legacy of Crediton brick.

The image below is an excerpt from the book, "A Place Called Motherwell". A historical book written by community members which featured prominent businesses and people of the Fullarton Ward and the village of Motherwell. This book was generously lent to the Municipality by Ms.Cheryl Matheson.