Evolution of Downie Street 

Take a scroll to see how Downie Street evolved.

Downie Street takes its name from Robert Downie,a  director of the Canada Company.  On an 1829 survey map of the Stratford area, Downie Street was show as "Appin."  It was probable that Canada Company founder John Galt chose this name in honour of his friend, "Mr. Downie of Appin." but soon disappeared. Downie is one of the oldest streets in Stratford and was first named Downie Road on the 1839  map.   The first block of Downie, from Ontario to Albert and Wellington, became known as Market Street because it led to the new market. The name stuck until about 1908, when it again became part of Downie Street because of confusion with Market Place.