Arthur

Known as Canada's Most Patriotic Village for its wartime service, Arthur is small-town Ontario at its proudest: main-street diners, deep roots, and neighbours who wave. By D-Day in 1944, 116 of the village's 836 people were serving in the Canadian forces, the highest share of any community in Canada. The Conestogo River runs along the south end of the village past Arthur Community Park, and the Arthur River Trail starts at Arthur Lions Park on Smith Street under a canopy of old trees. In summer the outdoor pool and the Optimist splash pad on Domville Street are busy, and every fall the Arthur Fall Fair comes to the fairgrounds.

Settlers began arriving in 1840, and the village was surveyed in 1841 and again in 1846. It was named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington. Saw and grist mills on the Conestogo River drew settlers, and a post office, church and school were organized in 1851. Arthur was incorporated in 1872, the year the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway arrived, and it joined the Township of Wellington North in 1999.

The 2021 census counted about 1,045 homes in Arthur. About seven in ten are single detached houses, and about one in six are in apartment buildings under five storeys. Row houses make up about one in twelve. About a quarter of homes were built in 1960 or earlier and about three in ten between 1961 and 1980. About one in five were built between 1981 and 2000, and about one in five in 2001 or later.

Highway 6 runs south to Fergus, about 20 km away, a drive of about 18 minutes, and on to Guelph, about 42 km, about 40 minutes. North, Highway 6 leads to Mount Forest, about 24 km. Wellington Road 109 runs east toward Orangeville, about 38 km by road, a drive of about 33 minutes. The Arthur River Trail follows the Conestogo through the village.

Arthur Community Park, at George Street and Francis Street East, runs along the Conestogo River. Arthur Lions Park at 333 Smith Street has a playground under the trees at the start of the Arthur River Trail. The Opti-Mrs. Playground and picnic shelter at 158 Domville Street sits beside the outdoor pool and the Arthur Optimist Splash Pad, and the Optimists put up an outdoor rink there each winter. The fairgrounds park has ball diamonds and a track. The Arthur branch of the Wellington County Library is at 110 Charles Street East. The Lions Duck Race, the Canada Day weekend events and the Opti-Mrs. Santa Claus Parade fill the year's calendar.

• Arthur Public School — JK to Grade 8. The public school for the village, on Conestoga Street North.
• Palmerston Public School — JK to Grade 8. The French immersion school for Arthur, in Palmerston.
• Wellington Heights Secondary School — Grades 9 to 12. The public secondary school for Arthur, in Mount Forest.
• Norwell District Secondary School — Grades 9 to 12. The French immersion secondary school for Arthur, in Palmerston.
• St. John Catholic School — JK to Grade 8. The Catholic elementary school for the village, on Tucker Street.
• St. James Catholic High School — Grades 9 to 12. The Catholic secondary school for Arthur, in Guelph.