Stratford’s leading aristocrat and wealthiest landowner, Col. William Frederick McCulloch, owned all the land between Mornington Street and the north bank of the Avon River, extending from Huron Street to beyond James Street. He also owned land on the south side between the river and Ontario Street from what is now Front Street to Romeo Street that includes the property we now know as Queen’s Park.
He built his luxurious home, the “Grange House,” in the 1840s on the property that is now 210 Water Street. McCulloch was a man of power and influence, but he was also civic minded. He became reeve for the Village of Stratford in 1854-1855, just nine years after arriving from Ireland, and was mayor of the Town of Stratford from 1860-1862.
In 1851, he laid out a street plan for his property on the north side of the river, naming the streets for members of his immediate family. He named William Street for his third son, William Frederick McCulloch Jr., who was then 14.
Elizabeth Street was named for his eldest daughter, who was 11 years old, and James Street for his eldest son, James Alexander McCulloch, who was 16 years old. His second son, John, was left out of the name game because Stratford already had a John Street, in honour of John Galt. Other family members were included in the street naming as well.
Hamilton Street was named for Mrs. Elizabeth Hamilton McCulloch, his wife, and the section of Waterloo Street between the river and Mornington was originally called Mary .