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Ayer’s Cliff History
Incorporated in 1909, the municipality of Ayer's Cliff still maintains its Anglo-Saxon lustre from the late 18th century. John Langmaid of New Hampshire took ownership of the territory, which he baptized under his own name as Langmaid's Flat. He ran a small hotel, welcoming visitors traveling up from the United States. In 1799, a man named Thomas Ayer bought property to lay a rail line. When this was accomplished, the town took on the name Ayer's Flat. But this term suggesting a swampy lowland didn't bode well for the area's investment potential. And so, in 1904, "Cliff" became the town's suffix, a better reflection of the area's scenic attributes. Every summer, the citizens of Ayer's Cliff hold a colossal fair at their county fairgrounds, one of the oldest such events in the region. An old music bandstand in the center of the village, one of the oldest in the country, has become the symbol of the municipality. Ayer's Cliff is also a great access point to Lake Massawippi, Abenaki for "lake of deep waters."

(text courtesy Town of Ayer's Cliff)

Ayer’s Cliff Today

Today, Ayer’s Cliff is home to just over 1000 residents, and remains a beautiful place to visit or to live. Though small, it houses everything you could possibly need in a town, including a handful of bed & breakfasts, two schools, and a new library that just opened in 2004.

Ayer’s Cliff also hosts many tourists throughout the year. Ideally situated on the shores of Lake Massawippi, the picturesque town draws 30,000 every August for its famous agricultural fair, held on the same Fairgrounds that are the venue for T-Day 2009. Ayer’s Cliff manages to be both remote and accessible at the same time – it’s only a few hours away from Montreal, Vermont, and other major centres, but it always maintains its quaint, small-town feeling.

One of the town’s most winning features is the nature around it. In addition to the beauty of the Massawippi, there is also the Tomifobia Nature Trail, which can be enjoyed year-round by foot, by bike, or however you want.

For more information about Ayer’s Cliff, visit the town’s website at www.ayerscliff.ca