Uxbridge History

Uxbridge is located on the ancestral home of the Anishaanabe Nations (Ojibway, Cree, Huron, Wendat, Algonquin, Chippewa, Mississaugas). The first settlers in the area were Quakers who started arriving in 1806 along with other British Loyalists following the American revolutionary wars. Most settlers to the Township of Uxbridge came from the Catawissa area of Pennsylvania. The Uxbridge Friends Meeting House which overlooks the town from Quaker Hill was built in 1820, and is the community’s oldest building. The Toronto and Nipissing Railroad arrived in Uxbridge in 1871, and for over a decade Uxbridge was the headquarters of the railway. Shortly after the arrival of the railway, Uxbridge became a village in 1872, and reached town status in 1885. A lot of Uxbridge's past has been preserved throughout the township.  The Uxbridge Historical Centre is the hub for all things related to Uxbridge History.

Uxbridge History The Fifth Line Church The Fifth Line Church -1870 – A Historic Journey to the Uxbridge Historical Centre     Originally erected in 1870 at Coppins Corners, near the intersection of Brock Road (Fifth Line) and Durham Road 21, the Fifth Line Church holds a deep-rooted place in the history of the Uxbridge area. The land for the church […]
Uxbridge History The Tannery Building The Tannery Building – 1860 – A Historic Uxbridge Landmark     Nestled in the heart of Uxbridge, the Tannery Building stands as a testament to the town’s rich industrial history and its ability to adapt and thrive through the ages. Originally built in 1860, this iconic structure began its life as a bustling mill, […]
Uxbridge History Uxbridge Historical Centre’s Hillson Shed Hillson Shed 1800’s Uxbridge Historical Centre The Hillson Shed, an enduring relic from the 1800s, offers a unique glimpse into Uxbridge’s rich agricultural history. Originally situated at the intersection of Colborne and Victoria Streets in Uxbridge, this modest structure has served various purposes over its long life, adapting to the needs of its owners and […]
Brock Street West Uxbridge Brock Street West Uxbridge -North Side-     The above photo shows Brock Street West (North Side) as it appears today.  In this photo we see the Bowling Alley and Arcade on the second floor of the building on the left with the lower level home to the Preston Gallery, Coldwell Banker R.M.R. Real Estate, […]
Brock Street East (South Side) Brock Street East (South Side) Take a journey through time as we explore the historic stretch of Brock Street East, captured in two distinct eras: 1970 and the vibrant summer of 2022.   The image above provides a window into the past, offering a glimpse of the bustling storefronts lining the south side of Brock […]
The Thomas Foster Memorial The Thomas Foster Memorial   In the heart of the tranquil Uxbridge countryside we find The Thomas Foster Memorial, standing proudly as a testament to the remarkable achievements of a local legend, it offers a glimpse into a world where triumph, legacy, and artistic grandeur converge. Thomas Foster, a quintessential local boy born on July […]
The Second Wedge Brewing Co. The Second Wedge Brewing Co. 14 Victoria Street     The Second Wedge Brewing Co. Discover The Second Wedge Brewing Co., a local gem inspired by Uxbridge’s scenic trails. Since 2015, they’ve ignited a passion for craft beer, evolving into more than just a neighbourhood brewery. As a hub for community gatherings, they champion local […]
Victoria Corners Lodge Hall Victoria Corners Lodge Hall ~ Circa 1856 ~ Uxbridge Historical Centre 7239 Concession 6, Uxbridge, ON         History The Victoria Corners Lodge Hall, the oldest building at the Uxbridge Historical Centre, was a living testament to the rich history of Uxbridge. Originally situated on the south side of the road just east […]
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Uxbridge Shell Service Station  Uxbridge Shell Service Station Peck Brothers Limited   Back in 1976, Tony Peck and Peck Brothers Limited assumed ownership of the Uxbridge Shell Service Station located at the intersection of Brock and Spruce Streets. For decades, Tony poured his heart and soul into running the business, overseeing operations until his well-deserved retirement on February 28, […]
Uxbridge History Canadian Tire Uxbridge Canadian Tire Uxbridge A Journey Through Time: The Evolution of Canadian Tire in Uxbridge Nestled in the heart of Uxbridge, Canadian Tire has been a cornerstone of the community for almost a century, evolving alongside the town itself. From its humble beginnings in the historic Parish Block on Brock Street East to its modern-day location […]
Sharpe Farm Supplies Ltd Uxbridge Sharpe Farm Supplies Ltd Uxbridge In 1957 Stiver Bros opened their new building on Victoria Street next the railway tracks.   In 1965 H.H. Goode & Son moved their business to Uxbridge from Myrtle; where they started the business in 1910.   In 2020, after operating for 110 years the H.H. Goode & Son sold […]
Uxbridge Baptist Church Uxbridge Baptist Church – 1962   The new Uxbridge Baptist Church was officially opened on March 3 1962 one week after the final service was held at the old Baptist Church located at the top of the hill on the south side of Brock Street West. Below is the original Church located at 92 Brock […]
20 Bascom Street Uxbridge 20 Bascom Street Uxbridge In November 1957 the Uxbridge Times Journal moved from its Brock Street location to its new building at 20 Bascom Street.   At this time the paper was owned by Per & Leila Hvidsten.  The main floor of the new building had a room to display and sell office supplies and typewriters, office […]
Fred Cook Real Estate Office Fred Cook Real Estate Office   Pictured above in 1968 is the Fred Cook Real Estate Office.  The office was located behind the Library on the site of the old Bell Tower.  The site is now the location of the Library addition.  My parents bough the home I grew up in; in 1971 from Morley Bruce […]
12 Spruce Street Uxbridge 12 Spruce Street, Uxbridge   The building was originally opened in 1945 as an egg grading station by Silverwoods Dairy. In 1954 the township purchased the building and renovated it to be the first municipal office in the towns history. The township later sold the building in 1974 when the Region of Durham was formed. […]
The Uxbridge Curling Club The Uxbridge Curling Club Seen above is the curling rink as it looks today.   In March 1960 Uxbridge curlers formed a committee to look into selecting a site and building a curling rink. 3 weeks later a site behind the old arena (now the site of the Seniors Centre) was selected. At the time […]
Main Street South Uxbridge Main Street South Uxbridge   The above photo courtesy of Uxbridge The Good Old Days By: Peter Hvidsten shows what the east side of Main Street South looked like in 1957.     Below we see the same veiw taken in 2022.   The commercial buildings and houses are still there but have all had some exterior changes during […]
Uxbridge History The Market Hall The Market Hall   The Market Hall was opened in October 1884 on the north east corner of Brock Street and Toronto Street. This building was erected two years after the original building was destroyed by fire. The lower floor was occupied by many different tenants over the years and Uxbridge council held its meetings […]
Uxbridge Coat of Arms Uxbridge Coat of Arms   In 1956, Uxbridge became the second town in Canada and the first in Ontario to receive an official coat-of-arms. Alan Beddoe of Ottawa, the Heraldy Advisor to the Royal Canadian Navy along with local officials and the College of Arms in London, England created the design which was taken to […]
1987 Chevy Nova Commercial 1987 Chevy Nova Commercial   In the 1980s Chevrolet filmed a commercial to promote the 1987 Chevy Nova.  The commercial had the car being lowered by a hot air balloon and delivered to the driveway of an excited couple.   They picked a site in Uxbridge that was perfect.  The first phase of theTesta Heights subdivision […]