  the community of st. jacobs is located in southwest ontario, just north of waterloo in woolwich township, waterloo region. it is a popular location for tourism,hohol, frances (1984). communities in transition: elmira and st. jacobs, ontario: a study of resident and retailer attitudes toward tourism (m.a. thesis) wilfrid laurier university due to its mennonite heritage and retail focus. the conestogo river, which powered the village's original gristmill, runs through the village. st. jacobs has a growing population of 1,891 people. thumb|left|downtown st. jacobs thumb|left|village of st. jacobs ==history== st. jacobs was settled in 1820 and officially named in 1852. st. jacobs was first known as "jakobstettel" which means "jacob's village" or "james's village".{{cite web|title=the village of st. jacobs: a glimpse into ontario's mennonite heritage|url=http://magiccarpetjournals.com/st_jacobs.htm|publish
Communities_in_Waterloo_Region,_Ontario Woolwich,_Ontario