Great Aylmer Fire of 1921: a walking tour

Aylmer residents participated in a guided history walk that revolved around the “ Great Aylmer Fire”, the fire that burned through the core of Aylmer in August 1921. Lynne Rodier, a retired history teacher and historian, guided the August 12 walk.

Rodier met with the participants at the Centre Culturel du Vieux Aylmer. As the tour began, they walked down Principale Street and made their way around downtown Aylmer, learning more about the fire that took place in the area. The tour walked through all the different landmarks from the fires, including the two churches that burned down (St. Paul's and Christ Church).

During the tour, Rodier passed around some printed pictures of how the damaged town of Aylmer looked prior to the devastation.

The fires were caused by hot ash thrown into dry grass, which was a result of the arid summer temperatures. Spreading quickly due to high winds, the fire burned right through the downtown core, Rodier mentioned.

The guided tours started in 2021, which was the 100 anniversary of the great Aylmer fire. “Le but de la randonner c’est d’apprendre les habitants de la ville des grands feux d’Aylmer et l’effet sur la ville d’Aylmer. ‘’ Rodier said.

Rodier alluded to the fact that one of the discoveries she made while guiding these tours is that a significant number of residents seem unaware of the fires that burned through the town.

Lynne Rodier, local historian with a speciality in Aylmer guided a tour of the Great Aylmer Fire of 1921, August 21. Photo: Jude Osmond