Listowel, Ont, unincorporated place within the town of North Perth, pop 12 055 (2001c), 11 808 A (1996c), area 493.18 km2. Incorporated in 1867 as a village and in 1875 as a town, Listowel is now part of the town of North Perth (inc 1998). It is located 66 km northwest of KITCHENER- WATERLOO. The community's original name was Mapleton, which was changed when the post office was established. It was chosen by a government official and refers to a town by the same name in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland.
The first permanent settler, John Binning, arrived in the area in 1857. In 1871 the Wellington, Grey and Bruce Railway extended its line to Listowel. It was joined in 1873 by a second railway, the Stratford and Huron Railway, and Listowel soon became an important shipping point. The population doubled when industries, including a woollen mill, a sawmill, a planing mill and a tannery, were established. In 1891 the Morris, Field, Rogers Company Ltd began to manufacture Morris pianos in Listowel.
Today, Listowel is a commercial centre serving the surrounding area. The Canadian artist Horatio WALKER, known for his paintings of Québec farm life, came from Listowel. His home is included on a historic walk of the community.