Rowland Hill (1900-1992)

An image of a handwritten diary. In the corner it is dated March Thur 25.

Rowland Hill was a local family-owned shoe store located at 189 Dundas Street. The store’s owner and namesake, Rowland Hill, was born in London, England in 1866. He moved to London, Ontario with his parents at the age of three. By age 13, Hill began to work for John McMechan in his shoe store. He would later move on to J.P. Cook’s shoe store from 1880-1900. In May of 1900, Hill opened his own store at 189 Dundas Street and by 1909, the company opened another location at 429 Hamilton Road. The Harris Family had direct connections to this local retailer. In one of her diary entries, Milly Harris wrote about visiting the Hill Store. In the entry, Milly describes how much she loved shopping at the Dundas Street store, often using her father’s money to make purchases there. This popular family business remained open in London until 1992. 

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.