Goderich features 3 beaches with a boardwalk over a mile in length. The main beach, at the north end of the walkway is a spot for swimmers and sunbathers to watch lake freighters loading up with salt on the other side of the pier. Further south is St. Christopher's beach, as well as a dog friendly area. At the end of the boardwalk is "Rotary Cove", a beautiful sand beach with lifeguards and playground equipment. Summer in Goderich... come visit!

Goderich, located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario and is the county seat of Huron County. The town was founded by William "Tiger" Dunlop in 1827. First laid out in 1828, the town is named after Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, who was British prime minister at the time. The town was officially incorporated in 1850.

Beginning in the 1830's settlers began to travel to the area from York (Toronto) and the Hamilton area.  They traveled through forests, guided by only a path, stumbling over logs and wading through swamps and marshes. After 2 or 3 weeks of rigorous summer travel through mosquito-infested forest they reached today's Stratford.  The same trip today can be done in less than 2 hours by car. From Stratford they proceeded over the Canada Company's Huron Tract road, now Highway 8. Today you will find the journey much easier as you explore the countryside.

Goderich's downtown has an octagonal traffic circle known as 'The Square'. The county courthouse stands in the middle of The Square, and this is where, in 1959, Steven Truscott was convicted of murdering Lynn Harper. Contrary to a popularly held belief, plans for The Square were not intended for Guelph. It is thought this rumour started when Guelph was founded, as town planners the Canada Company originally wanted their community to be called Goderich, eventually resigning to Company Superintendent John Galt's wish to name it Guelph.

Goderich features 3 public use beaches with a boardwalk over a mile in length. The main beach, at the north end of the walkway is a sand and fine gravel beach where swimmers and sunbathers can watch lake freighters loading up with salt on the other side of the pier.
Further south is St. Christopher's beach and at the far end of the boardwalk is "Rotary Cove", a family-friendly sand beach with lifeguards and playground equipment.
Of interest as well, are the man-made groynes along the beach, put in place to control sand migration from the action of water currents.

The Huron Historic Gaol is a National Historic Site. It served as the region's gaol (old English form of jail) from its opening in 1842 until 1972. It is open to the public between April and October. This is the site of the last public hanging in Canada. James Donnelly Sr. of the Black Donnellys also spent time here before his trial. As well, Steven Truscott was held here for some time.

The Huron County Museum is a community museum which offers modern exhibition galleries. Permanent exhibits depict the early settlement and development of Huron County. The museum also collects and maintains the Huron County Archives.

The Marine Museum, which is open in July and August, is dedicated to the lifestyle and culture of those who made a living on Lake Huron, highlighting The Great Storm of 1913. Admission to this museum is included in the entry fee for the Huron County Museum.

The Goderich Airport (known unofficially as Sky Harbour Airport) is a community airport with three runways: two are paved, with runway lighting, and one is grass. It is located directly north of the town, and is accessible via the Bluewater Highway north of the community. During WWII, the airport was the site of an Elementary Flying Training School as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. In addition to flight services, several industries are located in the immediate area of the airport to provide the full range of services that aviation requires, including interior and exterior re-finishing, and mechanical repairs.

The Goderich Harbour is owned by the town, but is operated under contract by Goderich Port Management Corporation. It is an industrial harbour, used primarily to load salt from the Sifto salt mines onto lake and ocean freighters. Sifto Canada operates a salt mine underneath Goderich's harbour. The mine extends 5 kilometers under Lake Huron and is the largest salt mine in the world.

Snug Harbour is a marina located within the industrial harbour basin; Maitland Valley Marina is also located near Goderich.

The local newspaper paper is the Goderich Signal Star, owned by Quebecor/Sun Media Corporation through Bowes Publishers.

CHWC-FM (The Beach) is a Canadian radio station of an adult contemporary music format at 104.9 FM in Goderich, Ontario. The Beach broadcasts music, morning shows, and weather, in addition to local, National and International news.

Bay City, Michigan is our Sister City.

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Notable People

David Bauer (1924–1988) Influential Canadian amateur hockey organizer and coach
Albert Dewsbury (1926–2006) former NHL defenceman
Gary Doak (born 1946) former NHL defenceman
William "Tiger" Dunlop (1792–1846) Founding father of Goderich associated with Canada Company
Kati Durst Canadian Idol top 10
Larry Jeffrey (born 1940) former NHL forward, won the Stanley Cup 1967 with Toronto Maple Leafs
Mistie Murray (born 1978) Subject of infamous unsolved missing persons case.
Ted Nasmith fantasy illustrator, best known for his illustrations of the works of J. R. R. Tolkien
Garth Picot guitarist, former member of The Revols
Jack Price (born 1932) former NHL defenceman
Jennifer Robinson (born 1976) former six time Canadian national figure skating champion
Tim Sale (born 1942), retired cabinet Minister in the province of Manitoba Canada
Dick Treleaven (born 1934) Ontario politician
Ron Van Horne (born 1932) Ontario politician
Joseph Griffin (1849–1925) First Catholic reeve (sheriff) of Huron County

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• Golf and fine dining at historic inns set among the spectacular fall colours of Huron County.   
• Hike and bike along trails that wind through the county's rolling landscape. 
• Fly away home, fall bird watching can be great while you're enjoying relief from summer heat.
• Antiques and Artisans, snap up a treasure at shops, visit a gallery, take home a treasure. 
• Harvest celebrations, - Huron County knows how to party and when.  Check out the list of festivals and events for fall and winter in Huron county.  Call Toll Free 1-888-524-8394 ext.3, or 519-524-8394 ext. 3, e-mail tourism@huroncounty.ca or visit their web site.
• How many days until Christmas?  Use our Heritage and Culture Partnership pages to find the best in the arts to take home and wrap up for special people this season.
• Genealogy and Archives, Museums can often provide insight and helpful advice for your family history research.  
• Fall Town Walks, Architecture in Goderich is treasured.  Spend an afternoon viewing these fine vernacular designs 
• Pubs and Good Grub- our country restaurants specialize in filling you up as you explore the byways and back roads of Huron County.  Bring a group and some designated drivers and graze your way across the rolling countryside and welcoming dining spots along the way.  

• Spring bird migration - You'll find an amazing array of birds flying overhead all along Lake Huron's shoreline and inland as well. 
• Spring produce and baking at local bake shops will entice you.  Stock up your freezer and enjoy these baked goods all summer long!
• Gardeners getting ready for spring and summer blooms will want to explore the many landscape and garden centres in Huron county.  Fill up the trunk and make plans early!
• Spring on the Maitland River - polish up the canoe and kayaks and take an exhilarating ride before summer calms the flow. 
• Spring golf offers time to warm up for summer on the links.  Huron county's golf courses offer challenges and lots of variety to satisfy veterans and novices alike.
• Conservation areas welcome all of us with spring walks to see the early wildflowers and the birds as well as insects and creatures to delight the child in all of us. Check with our conservation centres for what's happening in early spring.
• Lighthouses and marine history: Huron county is home to some fine examples of lighthouses and our marine history is an important part of the development of this area.  Check out the sites along the shore and enjoy the spring winds that bring back the birds and flowers.
   

• Too much to list! Check the 2011 Huron County Vacation Guide for more information.