Tillsonburg is an active community with a rich heritage. Founded on the banks of the Otter Creek in 1825 and initially called Dereham Forge, it would not take long before the new hamlet would become known as Tillsonburg. Named in honour of George Tillson, whose purchase of Lots 3, 4,and 5 of the 12th concession of Dereham Township would make up the new community.

George Tillson had a desire to see his community prosper and to this end he was elected one of the early road commissioners for the district, working on and improving the road system in and around Tillsonburg.

Incorporated as a Town in 1872, Tillsonburg is unique in that more than one generation of the founding family had an impact on the town. Acclaimed as the town’s first mayor, Edwin Delevan Tillson, George’s youngest surviving son, would pick-up from where his father left off. A pioneer industrialist, his many graining and lumber mills would create a base of employment that would insure a prosperous and growing community into the 20th century.

By the time the last Tillson mill closed in the late 1900’s, Tillsonburg was an active community with many other businesses and industries. The development of the commercial tobacco industry in the late 1920’s would see continued prosperity. By the end of the century, Tillsonburg’s industrial base would be expanded to include the automotive supply industry.