Hanover is a town of about 7,700 people (2016) in Southwestern Ontario, many of them descendents of German settlers. The one-time "Furniture Capital of Canada" continues to be a manufacturing centre.

Understand

Hanover is southern Grey County, west of Durham and east of Walkerton on Grey/Bruce Road 4. Hanover marks the border between Grey County and Bruce County.

History

In 1849, pioneer Abraham Buck and his family established a farm and tavern on the Saugeen River in the region of modern-day Hanover. Many settlers, most German, arrived to the area; a townsite was laid out by 1855. It was earlier called Buck's Crossing and then Adamstown, but was renamed Hanover. Records from 1867 indicate a gristmill, sawmill and carding mill, a foundry and a cabinet factory. Knechtel Furniture Company and other furniture companies opened in the 1800s, including Sklar-Peppler.

The railway arrived in about 1880 a benefit to factories who now had a way to ship their goods across Canada. By the 1920s, Hanover was known as the Furniture Capital of the country. The town survived the Depression and flourished after the Second World War manufacturing furniture, textiles, flour, processed food and kitchen cabinets. Manufacturing declined seriously between 1970 and 2000.

Get in

By car

Highway 4 runs through town. It enters Hanover's east end from Durham, and enters Hanover's west end from Walkerton.

By bus

• TOK Coachlines. Service from Vaughan, Orangeville, Kincardine, and Port Elgin. (updated Mar 2021)

By plane

• Saugeen Municipal Airport (CYHS Hanover), 34 Saugeen Airport Road, Walkerton, ☏ +1 519-364-3220, mgr@saugeenmunicipalairport.com. The closest airport, it receives no scheduled flights. (updated Jul 2018)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport is 163 km (about 2 hr) away.

Get around

• Hanover Shuttle and Taxi, open 24 hours, +1 519-364-1113
• D C Cab Company, +1 519-364-4646
• Hanover Taxi, +1 519-364-4342

See

• Learn more about the town's history through self-guided walking tours, community trails and displays at the P&H Centre Archive and the library.
• 1 Hanover Civic Theater, 433 10th Ave, ☏ +1 519-506-4782. (updated Jul 2018)

Do

• 1 Playtime Casino Hanover, 275 5th St, ☏ +1 519-364-7606. Su-Th 8AM-2AM, F Sa 8AM-3AM. Slots-at-racetrack. There is no smoking on the gaming floor. Hanover Raceway’s biggest event of the season is Dream of Glory Day, the first Saturday of August. Race Doors open at 5PM, rooftop BBQ, live band, racing, huge fireworks 20 minutes after the last race. (updated Jul 2018)
• 2 Sulphur Springs Conservation Area, Concession Road 18, ☏ +1 519-367-3040. 5 km of trails, different habitats and unique flora, hundreds of ducks and geese. The property is also the site of a cold sulphur spring which maintains a constant flow of groundwater (enough to fill 27 bathtubs per minute). This property also hosts a facility that houses exotic birds, including pheasants, peafowl and ducks. $5 per car. (updated Jul 2018)
• Paramount Theatre, 206 - 10th Street, ☏ +1 519-364-2066, toll-free: +1-800-265-3438. The Paramount Theatre, downtown, provides year-round entertainment with the latest movie releases. (updated Jul 2018)
• The Hanover Drive-In Theatre, 33277 County Road 28, ☏ +1 519-364-2066. At the southeast edge of Hanover, it offers summer entertainment for the entire family. One of only 19 drive-in theatres remaining in Ontario in 2017. 13+ $12.00, children under 13 $3, triple feature $13, quadruple feature $14. (updated Jul 2018)
• Taste of Grey, Ground Effects Event Centre, 341411 Concession Road 2. Third Sunday in September, 1-6PM. Explore local craft beer, ciders and wines with samples from local breweries, cideries or wineries. Paired with your beverage choices will be food from local restaurants and caterers. Local musical talent. (updated Jul 2018)

Buy

• Eat Well Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings in Heritage Square: buy fresh, quality local food directly from the farmer that grew it.
• Schultz Home Bakery Ltd, 482 10th Ave, ☏ +1 519-364-2040. Tu-F 7:30AM-5:30PM, Sa 7:30AM-5PM. Delicious coffee and doughnuts and other baked goods. (updated Jul 2018)

Eat

• Queen’s Bush Pub, 451 10th St (corner of 10th Street & 13th Avenue), ☏ +1 519-364-6666. M 11AM-10:30PM, Tu W 11AM-11PM, Th 11AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-1:30AM, Su open only July 15-Aug. Wraps, sandwiches and burgers $13-16. (updated Jul 2018)
• Cravings, 208 7th Ave, ☏ +1 519-364-7141. Tu-Sa 7AM-8PM, Su 8AM-8PM. Family restaurant. (updated Jul 2018)
• Chow's Garden, 328 10th St, ☏ +1 519-364-3102. F Sa 11AM–10PM, Su 4-8PM, Tu-Th 11AM–9PM. Authentic Chinese food & Canadian dishes. (updated Jul 2018)

Drink

• MacLean’s Ales Brewery, ☏ +1 519-506-2537. M-Th 10AM-5PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM,. Good variety of regular and seasonal brews. Open for tours and tastings, this facility hosts numerous events like Hopfest and the Boots & Brews Country Music Festival. (updated Jul 2018)

Sleep

• Hanover Town Park and Campground, 781 7th Ave, ☏ +1 519-364-2310. On the banks of the Saugeen River, it offers 12 fully serviced campsites. (updated Jul 2018)
• Grey Rose Suites, 394 10th St, ☏ +1 519-364-2600. 4-star all-suite hotel offering genteel quarters with kitchenettes, plus free Wi-Fi & parking. From $109. (updated Jul 2018)
• Travellers Inn Hanover, 244 7th Ave, ☏ +1 519-364-1911, toll-free: +1-800-801-8398. From $90. (updated Jul 2018)