Almonte (/ˈælmɒnt/ AL-mont; Spanish: [alˈmonte]) is a former mill town in Lanark County, in the eastern portion of Ontario, Canada.

[1] Almonte's first European-bred settler was David Shepherd, who in 1818 was given 200 acres (0.81 km2) by the Crown to build and operate a mill.

During this time of rapid expansion, the town changed its name from Shipman's Mills to Ramsayville, and then to Waterford.

[6] On 10 September 1909 the town suffered a major fire, which destroyed several buildings on the main street and caused $75,000 worth of damage.

[7] When, in 1855, the newly created Canadian post office pointed out there was already a Waterford in Canada West, the town needed another name change.

Mexican general Juan Almonte had fought honourably in these latter wars, and by 1853 he had become Mexico's ambassador to the United States.

In the ensuing climate of Canadian mistrust of US territorial ambitions, General Almonte's name would have been well known to Waterford's citizens.

Though there is no decisive evidence as to the final motive for the name change, it appears likely that Waterford saw Almonte as a "principled David fighting a Goliath interested in swallowing up all North America.

A celebratory event is planned for Saturday, April 29th in downtown Almonte where a trophy will be presented to the Mayor of Mississippi Mills.

[15] The New York Times said of the town that "with its mix of 19th-century historic buildings and a ’50s diner, Almonte in Ontario has been the go-to location for holiday movies set in Vermont, Alaska and even Milwaukee.